/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26526707/130525_jamesgoulden_atxvlar022.0.jpg)
The Houston Dynamo have a need for forwards, but that isn't specifically why I selected Kristopher Tyrpak here. One of the biggest changes for the club from previous seasons was a significant lack of set piece goals. Considered by many pundits in prior seasons to be one of the most prolific set piece teams, the Houston Dynamo were in the bottom half of the league in set piece goals.
Kristopher Tyrpak is a decent-sized forward with significant aerial ability on set pieces. He is also solid at marking players when defending set pieces, too. He isn't going to light up the league with goals, but he is a perfectly built super sub in the build of one Cam Weaver, physical, scrappy and a closer of sorts.
Tyrpak may not be someone you would expect to utilize for the entirety of a match. He just isn't that type of player, but he is a good bet to help you finish out games when you need a forward to either help hold up the ball or to help you draw fouls to create set piece opportunities.
What Houston will be looking for in the draft: Defenders and Forwards are two positions the Dynamo severely need help, and both will be readily available. The question is really which Dominic Kinnear feels he needs the most, or feels he can find through other means (transfer or trade).
Who the experts say Houston will pick: Kristopher Tyrpak (Soccer by Ives) and AJ Corrado (Top Drawer Soccer). Corrado is a midfielder/winger who thrives on the right flank.
Why I'm invariably wrong: This one is easy, Dominic Kinnear loves his Jamaican players and I would be astonished if he didn't have one he'd like to draft here.
Why I'm smarter than the pundits: Sometimes the pundits and I actually agree, like SBI and myself agreeing on the Kristopher Tyrpak pick. Probably the biggest thought why this might happen is because of Tyrpak's time playing for Austin Aztex, who are coached by ex-Dynamo and Kinnear friend, Paul Daghlish.
Full Mock Draft results (click on player names to see the profiles)
First Round
Team | Blog | Pick |
1. D.C. United | Black and Red United | Patrick Mullins |
2. Philadelphia Union | Brotherly Game | Steve Neumann |
3. Vancouver Whitecaps | 86 Forever | Andre Blake |
4. Columbus Crew | Massive Report | Steve Birnbaum |
5. FC Dallas | Big D Soccer | Christian Dean |
6. Union | Brotherly Game | Marlon Hairston |
7. Whitecaps | 86 Forever | Damion Lowe |
8. Chicago Fire | Hot Time In Old Town | Grant Van De Casteele |
9. San Jose Earthquakes | Quake, Rattle and Goal | Eric Miller |
10. Montreal Impact | Mount Royal Soccer | A.J Corrado |
11. Colorado Rapids | Burgundy Wave | Schillo Tshuma |
12. New England Revolution | The Bent Musket | JJ Koval |
13. Seattle Sounders | Sounder at Heart | Aodhan Quinn |
14. LA Galaxy | LAG Confidential | Fifi Baiden |
15. Toronto FC | Waking the Red | AJ Cochran |
16. Houston Dynamo | Dynamo Theory | Mamadou Diouf |
17. Portland Timbers | Stumptown Footy | Reinaldo Brenes |
18. Real Salt Lake | RSL Soapbox | Ben Sweat |
19. Revolution | The Bent Musket | Marco Franco |
Second Round
Team | Blog | Pick |
20. Chivas USA | The Goat Parade | Enrique Cardenas |
21. Sounders | Sounder at Heart | Taylor Peay |
22. New York Red Bulls | Once a Metro | Pete Caringi |
23. Crew | Massive Report | Pedro Ribeiro |
24. Toronto FC | Waking the Red | Joey Dillon |
25. Union | Brotherly Game | Jared Watts |
26. Timbers | Stumptown Footy | Kevin Cope |
27. Union | Brotherly Game | Kyle Venter |
28. Earthquakes | Quake, Rattle and Goal | Mackenzie Pridham |
29. Impact | Mout Royal Soccer | Jimmy Ockford |
30. Whitecaps | 86 Forever | Nikita Kotlov |
31. Revolution | The Bent Musket | Victor Chavez |
32. Dynamo | Dynamo Theory | Kristopher Tyrpak |
33. Rapids | Burgundy Wave | Rafael Diaz |
34. Red bulls | Once a Metro | Alex Martinez |
35. Rapids | Burgundy Wave | Zach Bolden |
36. Timbers | Stumptown Footy | Mark Sherrod |
37. Impact | Mout Royal Soccer | Michael Calderon |
38. Sporting Kansas City | The Daily Wiz |
Romena Bowie |