The Galaxy used their three selections in the MLS Superdraft to select forward Charlie Rugg, defender Kofi Opare, and defender Greg Cochrane.
Rugg was a bit of a surprise with the #19 selection, but Bruce Arena has a penchant for finding players he likes that fit his system. Rugg is a classic target forward. He is fast and has good movement and power, but lacks fantastic technical skills. The Boston College product missed some time due to injury which is part of the reason his stock was low. His technical skill will need to be elevated to consistently play at the MLS level, but he will be going to a team that has great coaching and depth to allow him to develop The Galaxy needed to add a forward with only five on the roster. He adds to the youth at the position where the Galaxy now have four players under 22 at the position.
Kofi Opare was selected with the 24th selection. The pick was acquired when the Galaxy traded an international slot for Kyle Nakazawa and the pick. Opare is 6’2” and 190 lb center back. The Michigan product is big and physical and will help contribute to the depth on the Galaxy squad. He will probably not be asked to start right away with Omar Gonzalez, Tommy Meyer, and A.J. De La Garza all on the squad. However, he will be a regular for the reserve league squad where the Galaxy will hope to develop him. The Galaxy lack a lot of options at center back with Leonardo, David Junior Lopes, and Andrew Boyens all unlikely to return.
With the 38th and final selection of the two round MLS Superdraft the Galaxy selected Louisville defender Greg Cochrane. Last year with the 38th selection the Galaxy also selected a Louisville product, Kenney Walker. Cochrane is a left sided player who has spent time at left midfield and left back. He is 5’8” and 140 lbs. He is a quality passer and has a great ability to get up and down the flank. He can defend very well individually. He is the third left back on the roster after starter Todd Dunivant and Bryan Gaul. Gaul was selected in the Supplemental Draft last season and had a very good debut campaign. It will be tough for Cochrane to gain minutes early, but this pick was for the future as well.
The Galaxy did not have very many needs after resigning Juninho, so they looked to what the coaching staff considered to be the best player available. They maybe could have used a winger at some point in the draft. Or they may look to shift Marcelo Sarvas or Michael Stephens out wide depending on who else they acquire.
During the draft Bruce Arena stated "I wouldn't be surprised if over the next week or so, we're going to have some kind of decision we're going to make with a Designated Player." Frank Lampard is currently being mentioned as the most likely player to come to the Galaxy.
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