This is who Inter Miami might take with the top pick in Thursday’s MLS SuperDraft
Inter Miami opens its inaugural training camp in less than two weeks, and here is what fans need to know:
Newly hired coach Diego Alonso, a Uruguayan who has been coaching in Mexico the past five years, will join the team and be formally introduced once his immigration papers are in order. He is awaiting a work visa and is expected to be available when Major League Soccer training camps open Jan. 18.
The sites and schedule for Inter Miami training camp are expected to be announced in the coming days. Team co-owner Jorge Mas said last month that the team will likely train in multiple locations in the region as the team’s $100 million complex in Fort Lauderdale is being completed. A Feb. 22 preseason game against FC Dallas in St. Petersburg is listed on the Dallas schedule.
The roster, which sits at 21 players thus far, is about to get a big boost with the addition of two yet-to-be-named high-priced international “Designated Players” and two of the top three picks in the 2020 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Thursday.
Miami has the No. 1 overall pick and the No. 3 selection.
The SuperDraft includes amateur players who have completed their college eligibility and a handful of elite underclassmen and youth national team players signed by MLS to Generation adidas contracts. The Generation adidas players get the opportunity to complete their educations in the future; and their salaries don’t count against the teams’ salary budget, making them an attractive option.
Every No. 1 pick since 2003 has been a Generation adidas player, so it is safe to assume Inter Miami will choose from among this year’s class, which includes center forward Robbie Robinson (Clemson, Jr.), forward Daryl Dike (Virginia, Soph.), center back Jack Maher (Indiana, Soph.), center back Henry Kessler (Virginia, Jr.), and winger Ryan Raposo (Syracuse, Soph.).
Two promising seniors — Georgetown defender Dylan Nealis and Stanford defender Tanner Beason — also pre-signed MLS contracts and are eligible.
Former Generation adidas players who turned into league stars include Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore, Clint Dempsey, Maurice Edu, and Darlington Nagbe.
Inter Miami sporting director Paul McDonough said the team is still looking for “a little more offensive punch, another player in the midfield and a strong central defender.” Here are the top prospects in the draft:
▪ CF Robbie Robinson, Clemson: The highest-scoring forward available, and winner of the Hermann Trophy (soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy, awarded to the top player). He missed most of his sophomore season due to injuries, but came back to score 18 goals – tied for top in the nation – and had nine assists. He is 6-2 and is talented enough to make an impact.
▪ F Daryl Dike, Virginia: Younger brother of former MLS player Bright Dike, Daryl led the Cavaliers to the final of the College Cup and scored a goal in the title game as Virginia lost to Georgetown in a penalty kick shootout. He had 10 goals and eight assists as a sophomore and is considered one of the top prospects in the draft.
▪ CB Jack Maher, Indiana: Tall defender (6-3) who moves well and has good ball skills. He started for the Hoosiers as a freshman and sophomore and is considered one of the top center backs in college. He led an Indiana defense that was tops in the nation. Maher was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and scored three game-winning goals in 2019.
▪ CB Henry Kessler, Virginia: Anchored one of the nation’s top defenses, and at 6-4 can play big and handle MLS attackers. Moves well for his size. Played 90 minutes in 24 games for a Virginia team that went 21-2-1 and had 12 shutouts.
▪ RB Dylan Nealis, Georgetown: Younger brother of New York Red Bulls defender Sean Nealis. A senior signee, he is more seasoned than the underclassmen. Won the 2019 NCAA Championship with the Hoyas and was a Hermann Trophy finalist. During his four years, he started 78 games, scored seven goals and had 14 assists. He was back-to-back Big East Defensive Player of the Year and was one of the best outside backs in college.
▪ W Ryan Raposo, Syracuse: All-Freshman ACC in 2018 with four goals and seven assists, and as a sophomore, this Canadian youth national scored 15 goals in 20 games with seven assists. Good one-on-one skills, has a lot of upside.
▪ LB Tanner Beason, Stanford: A senior signee, he comes in with experience. Led the Cardinal to national titles in 2016 and 2017. Known for team leadership, could be a good role player.
▪ CF Cal Jennings, Central Florida: Scored 14 goals in 15 games as a junior and 18 goals in 20 games as a senior. Good instincts in the box.
▪ M Aaron Molloy, Penn State: Irishman was one of the best players in the Big Ten, tough and strong, had nine goals and six assists from midfield last season.
This story was originally published January 7, 2020 at 4:00 PM.