I think the subject says it all. First question for this thread: ESPN just did a series of articles on likely MLS draftees. I noticed a kid from Michigan State made one of the lists: "Kenzo Webster".

Who is this kid and why wasn't he wearing a Bucks' uniform the last couple of summers? Would he be related to John Minagawa-Webster, he of the torn-up knee that ruined a promising MLS career in KC?

Kenzo and John I believer are brothers. Kenzo played for West Michigan last summer.

It is important to note how many Bucks could be going relatively early in the draft this Friday. Ives Galarcep who was at the combine has projected both Xavier Balc and Eric Brunner to go in the first round. He's also saying he thinks Dominic Cervi will go no later than mid-2nd round. George Josten also did well at the combine (scored a blinder on the first day) and could go later on. Thats 3 Bucks (2 from the last year) that could go inside the first 21 picks, and another who could go not long after that. Not bad at all.

I wonder if we tried to get Kenzo. His brother teased us with that half season back in 2005. Fully recovered from a shoulder injury - props to olujosh for informing me about that - John was one of the more intriguing players we've had.

You wonder how many of these kids are anywhere near their best(paging Knox Cameron!) when they play in the PDL. Balc had a hard time even getting on the field for us, and he might well go in the top 5. And unless I'm confusing him with someone else, Josten was slower than dirt last summer.

I don't think Balc is going to do as well at the MLS level as his most fervent fans do. I think Brunner will do quite well.

http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2008/01/post-5.html

Ives has Josten and Brunner rated highly in his final combine report. He's said he thinks Xavier might have done poorly on purpose so that he ends up with the Crew instead of a Colorado/RSL type.

Can't wait to see what happens Friday.

Well, plenty of Crew fans do pine for both Balc and Brunner. I think Brunner will go earlier than late 1st round.

Balc may *think* he's tanking to avoid RSL, but I remain unconvinced he can make it big in MLS. If he can't make it on the field for us, I don't see how he's going to thrive in MLS. He's fat(relatively) and slow.

Don't know if you guys have been watching the draft but:

Dominic Cervi went 12th overall to Chicago as insurance in case Matt Pickens signs abroad.

Eric Brunner just went 16th overall (2nd round) to Red Bull.

Rest of the draft is live on MLSnet.com

George Josten goes 20th overall to the Crew.

And Balc doesn't even get drafted! The PDL season does mean something. I do worry though about the dilution of talent as the league gets bigger and bigger.

Xavier will likely be one of the top picks in the Supplemental Draft this week. More than anything, his poor combine did him in.

With the Wizards trading Garcia to San Jose and Burciaga to Colorado (great pick up by COLO), Mackenzie could be one of those late round impact guys for KC...