Hot Time In Old Town - Bridgeview Bound: 2014 MLS SuperDraft ProspectsTRADITION - HONOR - PASSIONhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50655/htiot-fav.png2014-01-10T07:01:02-06:00http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/rss/stream/50128172014-01-10T07:01:02-06:002014-01-10T07:01:02-06:002014 MLS SuperDraft Prospect: Robbie Derschang
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<img alt="" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/vJADf5hB-70z9lkmGSkVzw6OGVc=/50x0:590x360/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26585829/130306_deschang_feature.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Austin Aztex</figcaption>
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<p>With the MLS SuperDraft now upon us, Hot Time In Old Town is taking a look at some potential targets of the Chicago Fire.</p> <p>After a bit of a hiatus, we are back looking at SuperDraft Prospects for the Fire. For these next few days, I’m going to try and change things up. I have yet to really, truly profile an offensive player (not counting Harrison Shipp), so I will be fitting a few offensive players in. Additionally, the Fire have one pick in the first round and then will not pick again until the fourth round where they have three (yes, three) picks. In light of this, I am going to also start looking players who might fall a bit further in the draft.</p>
<p>With all that said, I am going to profile a player who fits neither of these two descriptions - leftback <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gozips.com/sports/msoc/2012-13/bios/dershang%20robbie%205ojc">Robbie Derschang from the University of Akron</a>.</p>
<h3>Basic Info</h3>
<p><b>Name:</b> Robbie Derschang</p>
<p><span><b>College:</b> Akron (2 yrs)/SMU (2 yrs)</span></p>
<p><b>Height/Weight:</b> 5'11"/164</p>
<p><b>Position:</b> Left Back</p>
<p><b>Appearances:</b> 75</p>
<p><b>Goals/Assists:</b> 11/10</p>
<h3>Player Background</h3>
<p>Robert Derschang is from Englewood, Colorado. He spent his first two years of college in Dallas at Southern Methodist University before transferring to the University of Akron.</p>
<p>Robbie has played a couple of different positions in college. At SMU, Robbie was utilized mostly as a left winger. After he transferred to Akron, Robbie was bumped from left winger to left back, and eventually played forward a little bit. Marla Ridenour of the <i>Akron Beacon Journal </i> has an <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ohio.com/sports/zips/marla-ridenour-senior-robbie-derschang-reinvigorated-by-position-switch-1.442605">informative piece on Robbie and how he ended up playing forward</a>.</p>
<p>Robbie also had a short stint with the Austin Aztex of the USL PDL earlier this year where he <a target="_blank" href="http://austinaztex.com/statistics/">logged 477 minutes over 7 appearances</a>.</p>
<h3>Player Film</h3>
<p>Here is a highlight reel of Robbie. There is nothing in these highlights to show his defensive prowess, if he has any. Most of the highlights show his skills as an attacking player.</p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_-f-VrBpVm0" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h3>Will The Fire Draft Him?</h3>
<h4><u>Yea</u></h4>
<p>Unless he shows really well at the combine, he is not going in the first round. If Robbie is available in the fourth round, the Fire might consider him. Players who naturally play on the left flank are hard to com by, and Robbie has experience at two positions that are hard to find talent for.</p>
<h4><u>Nay</u></h4>
<p>Robbie screams third round pick. The Fire are not going to use their first round pick on Robbie, and he will likely be off the boards by the fourth round.</p>
https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/1/10/5294472/2014-mls-superdraft-prospect-robbie-derschangMark O'Rourke2014-01-02T19:16:14-06:002014-01-02T19:16:14-06:002014 MLS Prospect - Harrison Shipp
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<img alt="ISI Photos/Howard C. Smith" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/AA4XDYJxlum9hU8wEQgy--tA2uw=/0x52:458x357/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26152327/ncaaabs121313105.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>ISI Photos/Howard C. Smith | Howard C. Smith</figcaption>
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<p>With the MLS SuperDraft now upon us, Hot Time In Old Town is taking a look at some potential targets of the Chicago Fire. This time around, however, will be a little different.</p> <p>In the last installment of our series on potential prospects for the Chicago Fire, we took a look at possible Homegrown player, Chris Ritter. This time around we are going to take a look at MAC Hermann Trophy Finalist, <a href="http://www.und.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/harrison_shipp_688625.html" target="_blank">Harrison Shipp from Notre Dame</a>.</p>
<p>To view other posts in the series, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2013/12/27/5248776/bridgeview-bound-2014-mls-superdraft-prospects">head on over to our story stream here</a>.</p>
<h3>Basic Stats</h3>
<p><b>Name:</b> Harrison Shipp</p>
<p><b>College:</b> Notre Dame</p>
<p><b>Height/Weight: </b>5'9"/145 lbs.</p>
<p><b>Age: </b>23?</p>
<p><b>Position:</b> Forward</p>
<p><b>Appearances: </b>84</p>
<p><b>Goals/Assists: </b>23/24</p>
<h3>Player Background</h3>
<p>2013 was a breakout year for the Lake Forrest native. Travis Clark <a target="_blank" href="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/three-thoughts-on-the-mens-college-cup_aid32277">sort of summed up Shipps' college career in an article</a> following the NCAA College Cup Final:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>For the three years prior to his stellar senior season, Shipp was nothing more than a super sub for the Irish, entering this campaign with just four career starts in 60 appearances. Of course, he scored six goals and had six assists, and played more than 1500 minutes as a junior, clearly seeing the field for long stretches and making an impact.</p>
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<p>Mr. Clark does refer to Shipp as "nothing more than a super sub" but then aknowledges that SHipp was still getting a lot of minutes as a junior. For as few starts as Shipp had in his first three years, he did accumulate 3,570 playing minutes , which is roughly 60 minutes per appearance. He might not have been starting, but he was definitely getting a large chunk of playing time.</p>
<p>In 2013, Shipp started 23 of 24 games and logged 2,211 minutes, which was just over a 40% increase in playing time from 2012. On top of that, Shipp doubled his career goal total by finishing the season with 12 goals and had a career high number of assists with 10.</p>
<h3>Player Film</h3>
<p>While Shipp is listed as a forward, he plays as a withdrawn forward and can play like an attacking midfielder who can create chances for his teammates. Out of the four goals Notre Dame scored during the College Cup weekend, Shipp assisted three of them.</p>
<p>Rom watching the highlight video below, one of the most promising aspects about Shipp is his decision making. He seems to be thinking a step ahead as he plays.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/820_UPK09aE" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<h3>Will The Fire Sign Him?</h3>
<h4><b><u>Yea</u></b></h4>
<p>How often does a team have an opportunity to claim a Homegrown Player, who could win the Heisman Trophy of Men's College Soccer? From what I could find, it's never happened. Shipp is so highly rated that other team(s) in the league attempt to <a href="http://www.chicago-fire.com/news/2013/12/mls-confirms-notre-dame-attacker-harry-shipp-chicago-fire-homegrown-prospect" target="_blank">block Chicago from claiming Shipp</a> as a Homegrown Player. This is about as close to a slam dunk as one could get.</p>
<h4><u>Nay</u></h4>
<p>As with Ritter, nothing in this world is guaranteed, but if the Fire do not sign Shipp, the Front Office would need to offer an explanation.</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/1/2/5266926/2014-mls-superdraft-prospect-homegrown-player-harrison-shippMark O'Rourke2014-01-02T07:00:38-06:002014-01-02T07:00:38-06:002014 MLS Prospect - Chris Ritter
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<img alt="via Northwestern Athletics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/5qEu3CA1erjZU53qwmBweyOkqpI=/0x0:598x399/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/26058109/8261427.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>via Northwestern Athletics | Northwestern Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>With the MLS SuperDraft now upon us, <em>Hot Time In Old Town</em> is taking a look at some potential targets of the Chicago Fire. This time around, however, will be a little different.</p> <p><span>This time around we are going to take a different approach. Instead of doing a profile on a SuperDraft prospect, we are going to do a profile on potential Homegrown Player Chris Ritter, who is a </span><a href="http://www.nusports.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/chris_ritter_464769.html" target="_blank">midfielder at Northwestern University</a><span>. Potential Homegrown player Harrison Shipp has been getting a lot of press lately, but Ritter is a prospect for the Fire who has just as much upside.</span></p>
<h3>Basic Stats</h3>
<p><b>Name: </b>Chris Ritter</p>
<p><b>College:</b> Northwestern University</p>
<p><b>Height/Weight:</b> 6'2"/190 lbs.</p>
<p><b>Age:</b> 23</p>
<p><b>Position: </b>Midfielder</p>
<p><b>Appearances:</b> 84</p>
<p><b>Goals/Assists:</b> 15/14</p>
<h3>Player Background</h3>
<p>Chris Ritter hails from Winnetka, Illinois and attended New Trier High School where he won two state championships in 2006 and 2008, scoring the game winning goal as a senior. Ritter had options of going to other colleges like Michigan, Wisconsin and Colgate, but instead opted to stay local and attend Northwestern University.</p>
<p>Ritter is a fifth year senior at Northwestern. In 2012, Ritter had a breakout year for Northwestern in central midfield as he started every single game for the Wildcats and lead them to a second consecutive Big Ten Championship. Along the way he scored five goals and notched six assists, both career highs.</p>
<p>Ritter returned for his fifth season in 2013 and duplicated his 2012 performance. In his final two seasons alone, Ritter appeared and started in 42 games, logged 3,932 minutes, scored 10 goals and was credited for 11 assists. Ritter has essentially been the engine in the Northwestern for the past two season..</p>
<p>Early on in the 2013 season, <a href="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/hermann-favorites:-new-names-dark-horses_aid30732">Ritter was listed as one of the potential MAC Herman Trophy candidates</a> by <i>TopDrawer Soccer</i>, just behind his Fire Academy cohort, Harrison Shipp:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The numbers don’t look great for Ritter with only two goals (one from a penalty kick) this season, but he is the heart and soul of the Wildcats, which is quickly surging up the rankings after slipping up during the first week of the season. Ritter is third on the team in minutes, which is an impressive feat for a center midfielder in the physical collegiate game.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>When a central midfielder is 6'2" and 190 lbs, he is probably the one who is making the college game physical.</p>
<p>On the most recent <i>TopDrawer</i> SuperDraft Big Board, <a href="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/2014-mls-draft-big-board:-dec-25-edition_aid32311" target="_blank">Ritter was ranked at 58th</a>.</p>
<h3>Player Film</h3>
<p>SportsNight on the Northwestern News Network did a profile on Chris Ritter back in November. The two minute profile talks about his decision to return to Northwestern for a fifth instead of going pro and includes an interview with Larry Sunderland, who is Academy Director for the Chicago Fire.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/KwZYM0GUMSQ" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>The clip does not show a lot of highlights of Ritter playing, but it does showcase who Ritter is as a person, which is sometimes just as important. Ritter's decision to return to Northwestern to get a degree says a lot about his level of maturity. There are a lot of athletes in other sports who leave college as soon as they have a chance to turn pro.</p>
<h3>Will The Fire Sign Him?</h3>
<h4><u>Yea</u></h4>
<p>Chris would like to play professionally and would love to do it in his home town. The Fire seem to like what they see in Chris and offered him a spot on the team last year. It is hard to imagine that this won't happen. With Jeff Larentowicz already on the roster, the Fire could bring Ritter in and groom him for a season or two if needed.</p>
<p>Ritter already seems to have a good head on his shoulder, and with people like Larentowicz, Logan Pause and C.J. Brown working around him, he will have some great examples of leadership to emulate. I might be getting a little too far ahead of myself, but Ritter has the potential to become a fixture in the Chicago Fire's lineup and possibly even become captain one day.</p>
<h4><u>Nay</u></h4>
<p>Nothing in this world is guaranteed, but if the Fire don't sign him, it would be a pretty big disappointment.</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2014/1/2/5259506/2014-mls-superdraft-prospect-homegrown-edition-chris-ritterMark O'Rourke2013-12-31T11:51:19-06:002013-12-31T11:51:19-06:002014 MLS SuperDraft Prospect: Andre Blake
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<img alt="Photo via University of Connecticut Athletics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/HaqGO1ePmmTwc0k_1ONYJpe6nK4=/0x0:598x399/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25988359/9468068.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption>Photo via University of Connecticut Athletics | University of Connecticut Athletics</figcaption>
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<p>With the MLS SuperDraft now upon us, Hot Time In Old Town is taking a look at some potential targets of the Chicago Fire.</p> <p>We are continuing on with our coverage of potential SuperDraft prospects for the <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Fire</a>. To go back and read other posts in this series, please<a href="http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2013/12/27/5248776/bridgeview-bound-2014-mls-superdraft-prospects" target="_blank"> head over to our story stream here</a>. Next up in the series is <a href="http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/andre_blake_763080.html" target="_blank">Andre Blake - a goalkeeper from the University of Connecticut</a>.</p>
<h3>Basic Stats</h3>
<p><b>Name: </b>Andre Blake</p>
<p><b>College:</b> University of Connecticut</p>
<p><b>Height/Weight:</b> 6'4"/175 lbs.</p>
<p><b>Age:</b> 23</p>
<p><b>Position: </b>Goalkeeper</p>
<p><b>Appearances:</b> 68</p>
<p><b>Career Goals Against Ave.:</b> 0.001</p>
<h3>Player Background</h3>
<p>Andre Blake is currently a junior at UConn. If Blake decides to go pro, he will very likely be inking a Generation Adidas (GA) contract. When <a href="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/2014-generation-adidas-prospect-rankings_aid32151" target="_blank"><i>TopDrawer Soccer</i> ranked potential GA prospects</a>, Blake was at the top of their list. Here is what J.R. Eskilson and Travis Clark wrote about him in late November:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The Jamaican international is a mouthwatering prospects [sic], at least when you look at his physical tools. A tremendous athlete with unbelievable reflexes, he can produce more than one or two game changing saves per game, and is in a position to compete for a starting job next season. His mentality and maturity are a work in progress, as he can be prone to an on-field outburst and his decision-making can be called into question.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As mentioned above, Blake is a Jamaican. He has spent time with the Jamaican National Team and was called up to the senior squad this past June. He has yet to receive his first international cap, however.</p>
<p>Blake has received a ridiculous number of accolades so far at UConn. One of the most impressive awards was being named the BIG EAST goalkeeper of the year as a freshman (an award that he won again in 2012), which made him the first freshman to ever win a major BIG EAST award. Part of that fantastic freshman season was setting a Connecticut record with nine straight shutouts from September 9 to October. 12, 2011, spanning just over 961 minutes.</p>
<h3>Player Film</h3>
<p>As Eskilson and Clark wrote, Blake is a tremendous athlete. Some of the save he makes are jaw-dropping.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/QYlOnErmGrE" height="315" width="420"></iframe></p>
<p> </p>
<h3>Will The Fire Draft Him?</h3>
<h4><u>Yea</u></h4>
<p>With Paolo Tornaghi out, the Fire need to find a successor to Sean Johnson. While Johnson may not be gone just yet, it is possible that he could be gone very soon.</p>
<h4><u>Nay</u></h4>
<p>There are a whole laundry list of reasons the Fire would not select Blake. For one, he might not be available by the time the Fire even get to their first pick. If he is available in the first round when the Fire are on the clock, do they use that pick on a goalkeeper? It would seem unlikely. There are a couple of good goalkeepers in this year's SuperDraft, and the Fire should be able to get one of them in a later round.</p>
<p>Referring back to what Eskilson and Clark wrote, Blake has a lot of intangibles, but needs a lot of work developing his decision making. This could be said about most every keeper out of college. Drafting a a goalkeeper would be good for the long term, but it might be fool hardy to expect a rookie goal keeper will be ready to replace Johnson in the next year. The Fire might want to look for a goalkeeper already in the MLS.</p>
<p>And lastly, again referring to what Eskilson and Clark wrote, Blake sounds to be a bit of a hot head. I could believe that as he has<a href="http://www.uconnhuskies.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/andre_blake_763080.html" target="_blank"> one of the most menacing profile pictures</a> I have ever seen. It is important for a goalkeeper to be able to keep their composure when the defense breakdown and mistakes are made. This adds another variable on top of questionable decision making that a team has to take in to consideration. It could just be a maturity thing. If it is more than just a maturity issue, however, then it could be something that will hold Blake back from reaching his potential as a goalkeeper.</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2013/12/31/5258004/2014-mls-superdraft-prospect-andre-blakeMark O'Rourke2013-12-30T11:43:55-06:002013-12-30T11:43:55-06:002014 MLS SuperDraft Prospect: Ben Sweat
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<img alt="via Paul Rudderow from the Philly Soccer Page" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/epMbB0oLpyIIgycXITB7IVMUBrs=/0x0:1024x683/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25885551/rd031.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>via Paul Rudderow from the Philly Soccer Page | Paul Rudderow</figcaption>
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<p>With the MLS SuperDraft now less than three weeks away, Hot Time In Old Town is taking a look at some potential targets of the Chicago Fire.</p> <p>We are continuing on with our coverage of potential SuperDraft prospects for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a>. To go back and read other posts in this series, please<a target="_blank" href="http://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2013/12/27/5248776/bridgeview-bound-2014-mls-superdraft-prospects"> head over to our story stream here</a>. This installment is all about <a target="_blank" href="http://www.gousfbulls.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=36622&SPID=2914&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=7700&ATCLID=204990367&Q_SEASON=2013">Ben Sweat - a left back from the University of South Florida</a>.</p>
<h3>Basic Stats</h3>
<p><b>Name: </b>Ben Sweat</p>
<p><b>College:</b> University of South Florida</p>
<p><b>Height/Weight:</b> 6'2"/170 lbs.</p>
<p><b>Age:</b> 22?</p>
<p><b>Position: </b>Leftback</p>
<p><b>Appearances:</b> 79</p>
<p><b>Goals/Assists:</b> 3/8</p>
<h3>Player Background</h3>
<p>Ben Sweat is a Florida boy from Palm Harbor. In high school, he was named Pinellas County Player of the Year in 2009 and 2010 by the <i>St. Petersburg Times</i>. In 2009, Sweat helped lead Palm Harbor High's soccer team to a Florida State 5A championship. They followed up that season as runners-up in Florida State's 6A division.</p>
<p>Sweat has been a fixture in the starting lineup at South Florida since arriving on campus. Currently, he is ranked number <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer/college-national-top-100/men/2013#anc2420" target="_blank">75th overall on TopDrawer Soccer’s 100 </a>list and he is listed <a style="background-color: #ffffff;" href="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/2014-mls-draft-big-board:-dec-25-edition_aid32311" target="_blank">7th on TopDrawer’s MLS SuperDraft Big Board</a>.</p>
<p>Sweat has also spent a season with USL PDL side Reading United AC. He was part of the <a target="_blank" href="http://www.phillysoccerpage.net/2013/05/30/match-report-new-york-red-bulls-2-0-reading-united/">Reading United lineup line up that faced the New York Red Bulls</a> in the third round of the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/us-open-golf" class="sbn-auto-link">2013 U.S. Open</a> Cup. He will also be <a href="http://pressbox.mlssoccer.com/content/50-college-seniors-invited-2014-adidas-mls-player-combine" target="_blank">attending the MLS SuperDraft Player Combine</a> in January.Combine</p>
<h3>Player Film</h3>
<p>There is a lot of video on Sweat, and if there is one thing to be sure of, he is a player who likes to get forward into the attack. From watching the highlights, he seems to enjoy taking players on in one-on-one (and sometime one-on-two) situations. It’s hard to tell how fast Sweat is, but when he takes players one, he seems to rely more on his ball handling skills, which look to be pretty solid. There are only a few clips of him crossing, so that could possibly be an area of concern.</p>
<p>Standing at 6’2", Sweat is also able to win a lot of aerial challenges. He also seems very capable of dispossessing defenders, which might be why he is used as a left back and not a left winger.</p>
<p><b>Sweat Highlights #1</b></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/sByTGOZou74" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Sweat Highlights #2</b></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/HarnVJT-qkA" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Sweat Goal for Reading United</b></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/0k0xhO5z2gk" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<p><b>Sweat Interview While Training In Scandinavia</b></p>
<p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hlGDGNcOm84" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h3>Will The Fire Draft Him?</h3>
<h4><u>Yea</u></h4>
<p><span>Gonzalo Segares</span> is starting to get up there in age, and, if Frank Yallop intends to play a 4-4-2 where the defensive backs get forward into the attack, he might need to find some youth in the leftback position. In 2013, Segares was not pushing forward as often in previous seasons. His offensive stats show this drop off.</p>
<table border="0"><tbody>
<tr>
<td>Year</td>
<td>Goals</td>
<td>Assists</td>
<td>Shots</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2011</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>5</td>
<td>17</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2012</td>
<td>3</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>15</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2013</td>
<td>0</td>
<td>1</td>
<td>12</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<p> </p>
<p>As the video shows, Sweat likes to get forward and could fit the system that Yallop was using with <span>Justin Morrow</span> and <span>Steven Beitashour</span> in San Jose. Sweat also would not need to get tossed into the lineup right away as Segares should have at least another solid year of play left in him if not more.</p>
<p>Having both players could be a nice option for Yallop to have as he could rotate Segares and Sweat in and out in the lineup depending on who the Fire are playing. If having a player who could get forward against the upcoming opponent would be beneficial, then send in Sweat. If the upcoming opponent will be a tough matchup on that side of the field, then send in Segares, the savvy veteran.</p>
<h4><u>Nay</u></h4>
<p>Being a leftback in the MLS SuperDraft is a bit like being a female at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Live_action_role-playing_game" target="_blank">LARP</a> convention - you’re a hot commodity simply because you are a rarity. The Fire should not draft Sweat just because he is a leftback. That would be a desperate move, and are the Fire really that desperate? Gonzalo Segares should have at least one more solid season to give to the Fire.</p>
<p>Just because Sweat is practically the only leftback in the draft does not mean he is good. The Fire should definitely take a close look at this kid, but if they do not feel comfortable drafting him, then they should pass on him and find another leftback option elsewhere.</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2013/12/30/5252932/2014-mls-superdraft-prospect-ben-sweatMark O'Rourke2013-12-27T14:23:23-06:002013-12-27T14:23:23-06:002014 MLS SuperDraft Prospect: Marlon Hairston
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<img alt=" Photo By: Jeff Reinking for Louisville Athletics" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/uLvdOfYKQ-mDkBdozyt1UvYOi7U=/0x20:600x420/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/25777097/9481476.0.jpeg" />
<figcaption> Photo By: Jeff Reinking for Louisville Athletics | Jeff Reinking</figcaption>
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<p>With the MLS SuperDraft now less than three weeks away, Hot Time In Old Town is taking a look at some potential targets of the Chicago Fire. </p> <p>To kick-off the opening post of the SuperDraft profiles, we will start with <a href="http://www.gocards.com/sports/m-soccer/mtt/marlon_hairston_813305.html" target="_blank">University of Louisville midfielder Marlon Hairston</a>. The most recent mock draft from <em>Soccer By Ives</em> has the <a target="new" href="http://www.soccerbyives.net/2013/12/mock-draft-version.html">Chicago Fire picking Hairston in the first round</a>. The one complication with SBI’s mock draft is that Hairston has not officially announced whether or not he intends to leave Louisville for the pros, but rumors are indicating that he will leave early and could potentially become a Generation Addidas player.</p>
<h3>Basic Stats</h3>
<p><b>Name:</b> Marlon Hairston</p>
<p><b>College:</b> University of Louisville</p>
<p><b>Height/Weight:</b> 6'0"/157 lbs.</p>
<p><b>Age: </b>19</p>
<p><b>Appearances: </b>39</p>
<p><b>Goals/Assists: </b>6/5</p>
<h3>Player Background</h3>
<p>Hairston has filled a pivotal role with Louisville since he arrived on campus in 2012, appearing in 19 games during his freshman year and 20 games in his sophomore year. Hairston is originally from Jackson, Mississippi, but received a scholarship to attend the IMG Academy in Florida.</p>
<p>This past year has been a big one for Hairston. This past spring, Hairston received a call up to the U.S.National Team’s U-20 squad for the Toulon Tournament in France at the end of May. During the tournament, Hairston got to train and play along side MLS players Wil Trapp, <span>Kellyn Acosta</span>, <span>Mikey Lopez</span> and current Fire player <span>Victor Pineda</span> among others. Hairston was also invited to the June training camp session leading up to this past summer’s U-20 <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-cup-2014" class="sbn-auto-link">World Cup</a>, but he was not named to the roster for the tournament.</p>
<p>As mentioned above, Hairston is a potential Generation Adidas player. Here is what <a target="new" href="http://www.topdrawersoccer.com/college-soccer-articles/2014-generation-adidas-prospect-rankings_aid32151">J.R. Eskilson and Travis Clark wrote about him for TopDrawer Soccer</a> back at the end of November when they ranked the top Generation Addidas candidates:</p>
<blockquote>"A central midfielder who plays deep for the Cardinals, Hairston is a steady prospect who could flourish in the right role at the next level. He’s calm when in possession under pressure, makes very good decisions and is a solid passer. Not only that, he’s not afraid to do some of the dirty work in the middle of the field, something that most MLS coaches value. He can also get forward and jump into the attack when needed, but goals and assists aren’t his primary function for Louisville."</blockquote>
<h3>Player Film</h3>
<p>Below is a highlight video of Hairston from his freshman year at Lousville. Playing deep does seem to be Hairston’s specialty. The way Hairston takes care of the ball and distributes it is similar to <span>Kyle Beckerman</span>. Hairston does show some flare for being able to play as an attacking midfielder. The goal he scores around the two and a half minute mark shows a bit of his attacking ability.</p>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/c3jVH01_jO0" height="315" width="560"></iframe></p>
<h3>Will The Fire Draft Him?</h3>
<h4><u>Yea</u></h4>
<p>It would be hard to not want a talent like Hairston on the roster. The Fire might find it hard to pass on him if he was available in the first round, especially if he does ink a Generation Addidas contract. If he did end up on the Fire, he would be a player who the Fire could look to build around in the future.</p>
<h4><u>Nay</u></h4>
<p>Counter to what Ives stated in his mock draft, the Fire do have more pressing needs than central midfield depth. Hairston would most likely be taken somewhere in the first round of the SuperDraft if he goes pro, and, if Fire were to draft a central midfielder in the first round, it would most likely be an attacking midfielder and not a deep lying, box-to-box style player like Hairston was in college. <span>Could Hairston play an attacking role? From the highlights, it looks like the potential is there, but it is hard to say for sure if he could make the transition.</span></p>
<p>Thoughts on the possibility of the Fire drafting Marlon Hairston? Please feel free to leave a comment.</p>
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https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/2013/12/27/5247256/2014-mls-superdraft-marlon-hairstonMark O'Rourke