Sporting KC only had 1 Superdraft pick, but they certainly made the most of it. Sporting selected Generation Adidas midfielder, Mikey Lopez from the University of North Carolina.
This in my opinion is a great pick for KC. Lopez wasn't really expected to fall anywhere close to KC at the 14th spot. He's a central midfielder that fits a need that I felt KC needed to fill this offseason adding depth there, so from that regard it's very good. Lopez is 19 years old currently, turning 20 next month. He's also a member of the US U-20 team and is currently part of the same camp that Jon Kempin is currently attending down in Mexico. He's a defensive minded midfielder that may in the long run be able to help fill the void left by Roger Espinoza and Julio Cesar.
With Lopez being a Generation Adidas player he won't count against the salary cap for Sporting KC which is a big bonus for KC this season. And while he might miss time while being with the U20's he'll be competitive games that way which will be a bonus for KC.
Last weekend at the Combine, Lopez had said that he wanted to go to Chivas, because "from what I have heard of Chivas USA, I like what they want to do."
But I really don't think he'll hate the idea of coming to KC, with the style of play that Peter Vermes employees.
Here's a video of his goal at the Combine.
A younger, cheaper Paulo Nagamura with higher upside, I'll take it.
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