Comments on: Rapids draft Hermann runner-up Akpan, take Virginia midfielder LaBauex next http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/2010/01/14/rapids-draft-hermann-finalist-akpan/ News and commentary about soccer in Colorado Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:11:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: Shaun Schafer http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/2010/01/14/rapids-draft-hermann-finalist-akpan/comment-page-1/#comment-10242 Shaun Schafer Sat, 16 Jan 2010 05:11:58 +0000 http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/?p=4759#comment-10242 Yes, no defenders at the wide midfield slot. Not a good sign. Yes, no defenders at the wide midfield slot. Not a good sign.

]]> By: George Tanner http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/2010/01/14/rapids-draft-hermann-finalist-akpan/comment-page-1/#comment-10228 George Tanner Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:26:15 +0000 http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/?p=4759#comment-10228 excellent scouting report, shaun! thanks a bunch. i have to believe the coaching staff is thrilled that a skill player such as akpan dropped to the second round like he did (although i doubt he's happy about it). and i have to believe the front office enjoys the idea of adding depth up front without having to pay the price tag (and roster spot) that a senior international would demand. two birds, one stone. i hope you're right about LaBauex. i also hope the rapids' midfielders enjoy a healthy 2010 and the team doesn't need to rely on a rookie (or a defender) to play wide mid late in the year. excellent scouting report, shaun! thanks a bunch. i have to believe the coaching staff is thrilled that a skill player such as akpan dropped to the second round like he did (although i doubt he’s happy about it). and i have to believe the front office enjoys the idea of adding depth up front without having to pay the price tag (and roster spot) that a senior international would demand. two birds, one stone. i hope you’re right about LaBauex. i also hope the rapids’ midfielders enjoy a healthy 2010 and the team doesn’t need to rely on a rookie (or a defender) to play wide mid late in the year.

]]> By: Shaun Schafer http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/2010/01/14/rapids-draft-hermann-finalist-akpan/comment-page-1/#comment-10223 Shaun Schafer Fri, 15 Jan 2010 05:22:11 +0000 http://www.coloradosoccernow.com/?p=4759#comment-10223 This was about as good as you could hope for in a draft of college talent. Akpan has a decent touch and a nose for the goal. I don't know that he will develop into a top-flight pro, but he's worth a look. LeBaeux is the pleasant surprise. I saw him play a couple of times this season. He's solid on the ball and steady. I don't think he will take anyone's breath away, but he can pass and possesses some tenacity. Plus, he's coming off a national championship team. This can only help. The Borak choice is a confusing one. The Rapids are replete with defenders, from young to old. However, I haven't seen Borak play, so we will have to wait and see. Cutshaw brings some depth, but he'll be hard pressed to make the roster. Overall, there might be some bench additions from this draft. That's about all you can hope for. This also gives me a chance to point to the most-likely bust in the draft, Kansas City's choice of Teal Bunbury. Yes, he won the Hermann trouphy, but it wasn't on the strength of the games he played in the NCAA tournament. The player I saw there had some speed, but he needed it to make up for a dreadful first touch. He also seemed to lack creativity when marked. He couldn't shake his man, and when he did, he couldn't deliver a decent shot on goal. Good luck to him, but I have my doubts. This was about as good as you could hope for in a draft of college talent. Akpan has a decent touch and a nose for the goal. I don’t know that he will develop into a top-flight pro, but he’s worth a look.

LeBaeux is the pleasant surprise. I saw him play a couple of times this season. He’s solid on the ball and steady. I don’t think he will take anyone’s breath away, but he can pass and possesses some tenacity. Plus, he’s coming off a national championship team. This can only help.

The Borak choice is a confusing one. The Rapids are replete with defenders, from young to old. However, I haven’t seen Borak play, so we will have to wait and see. Cutshaw brings some depth, but he’ll be hard pressed to make the roster.

Overall, there might be some bench additions from this draft. That’s about all you can hope for.

This also gives me a chance to point to the most-likely bust in the draft, Kansas City’s choice of Teal Bunbury. Yes, he won the Hermann trouphy, but it wasn’t on the strength of the games he played in the NCAA tournament. The player I saw there had some speed, but he needed it to make up for a dreadful first touch. He also seemed to lack creativity when marked. He couldn’t shake his man, and when he did, he couldn’t deliver a decent shot on goal. Good luck to him, but I have my doubts.

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