Sporting KC continued a busy start to their offseason, trading for San Jose defender, Ike Opara for the team's second round pick in the 2013 MLS Superdraft. Opara was the Earthquakes first round pick (3rd overall) in the 2010 MLS Superdraft, where KC took Teal Bunbury with the 4th overall pick. In the 2010 draft the top four picks of Bunbury, Opara, Danny Mwanga, and Tony Tchani were all seen as the cream of the draft class. KC next year will have 2 of those 4, although Bunbury's likely been the most successful of all 4.
Opara has had a bit of an injury filled pro career, only appearing in 35 games over 3 seasons with the San Jose Earthquakes. Opara though will come in to Kansas City and not be expected to start for Sporting. Opara will likely be set to battle with Lawrence Olum for the 3rd center back spot on the roster. His signing is purely a depth signing to provide cover and play in US Open Cup and CONCACAF Champions League games next year.
Opara was a guy that I immediately looked at when the re-entry draft list came out. I thought he'd be a guy for KC to look into getting in the second stage of the draft. Instead, like last year, KC went out and made their move before the re-entry draft, picking him up for a second round pick. The trading of the pick does leave KC without a second round pick now after trading away their other second round pick to Montreal in the Josh Gardner trade.
I know that some KC fans are worried about giving up these draft picks, but the majority of them have been second round choices, and in the last 3 years KC has drafted Cyprian Hedrick (2012), JT Murray (2011), and Korede Aiyegbusi (2010) in the second round, not a stellar draft outside the first round. So that part doesn't worry me right now.
I like the moves so far.
ReplyDeleteStill looking for a left-footed winger and a destroyer in the midfield one of which could possibly be drafted.
However, anything short of picking up a proven finisher, likely from outside the league, will be a huge disappointment and missed opportunity.
But I'm not planning to soil myself, like others apparently were last week, until CCL starts.