Tri-State talent features heavily as MLS draft approaches

With the MLS Cup done and dusted and the College Cup secured by Jordan Morris and the Stanford Cardinal, the focus of the U.S. professional and college scenes turns toward next month’s MLS SuperDraft, set for January 14 in Baltimore, alongside the 2016 NSCAA Convention.

TopDrawerSoccer.com has grown into one of the most dependable sources of draft analysis, anchored by the site’s “Big Board” of projected SuperDraft selections. The first edition of the 2016 list dropped a few days ago, and there is no shortage of representation for the Tri-State area.

+CHECK OUT the full TDS list here

Rutgers’ best season in more than a decade was recognized with the presence of sophomore forward Jason Wright (an import from Jamaica) at No. 8 overall on TDS’ list, along with midfielder Mitchell Taintor (Storrs, Connecticut, New England Revolution academy) at No. 37. Senior defender Mitch Lurie was also invited to the MLS Combine, set for January 7-12 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.

German midfielder Julian Buescher sparked Syracuse’s run to the College Cup, and he checks in at No. 14, followed by Maryland midfielder and New York Red Bulls product Mael Corboz at No. 15.

Corboz is one of several NCAA standouts rumored to be in the running for a Homegrown Player contract offer from RBNY, as is Georgetown junior Alex Muyl and his Hoyas teammate Brandon Allen (pictured above). The TDS staff rates Allen, a Hermann Trophy finalist, at No. 25 overall.

Somers, New York native Taylor Washington enjoyed a fine career at George Mason after transferring from Boston University after his sophomore year, and the FC Westchester product comes in 46th on the list.

Washington, however, was not named to MLS’ initial combine list, a 59-player group that is subject to additions and subtractions in the week to come. Others with Tri-State connectionswho did make that list:

Hadji Barry (Central Florida; Rochester, New York)

Antonio Matarazzo (Columbia; Fair Lawn, New Jersey)

Ben Polk (Syracuse; Herkimer, New York)