Here is the list of Columbus Crew first round draft picks from the first ever selection in 1996 with Brian McBride to last year's picks of Rich Balchan and Justin Meram. Who will the Black & Gold select with the 10th pick in 2012? Tune into the 2012 MLS SuperDraft on Thursday, January 12th at noon ET on ESPN2 and ESPN3.
1996 Inaugural MLS Draft
#1 Overall - Brian McBride
Position: Forward
College: St. Louis
Played eight season and is second all-time in Crew history with 62 goals. Inaugural inductee in the Columbus Crew Circle of Honor.
1997 College Draft
#3 - Rob Jachym
Position: Midfielder
College: Hartford
Played in only two games for the Crew then went on loan to the Milwaukee Rampage of the USISL A-League.
1998 College Draft
#9 - Jeff Cunningham
Position: Forward
College: South Florida
MLS All-Time leading goal scorer with 134 goals. Crew all-time leading goal scorer with 64.
1999 College Draft
#9 - Matt Chulis
Position: Defender
College: Virginia
Appeared in 10 games over two season with the Crew before signing with the Chicago Fire in 2001 followed by the Portland Timbers of the USL later that year.
2000 MLS SuperDraft
#3 - TRADED
Traded #3 pick to Dallas in exchange for forwad Dante Washington
2001 MLS SuperDraft
#10 - Duncan Oughton
Position: Midfielder/Forward
College: Cal St. Fullerton
Traded #3 pick to D.C. in exchange for the #10 pick and GK Tom Presthus
Appeared in 135 matched with three goals in 10 years with the Crew. Retired in 2011 to become Assistant to the Technical Director and is the color analyst for the Crew broadcasts.
2002 MLS SuperDraft
#8 - Kyle Martino
Position: Midfielder
College: Virginia
Appeared in 106 matches for the Crew with 10 goals in four season. In 2002 Kyle was awarded the MLS Rookie of the Year award. Since retiring from MLS, Kyle has joined the broadcast ranks of Fox Soccer and ESPN as an analyst.
2003 MLS SuperDraft
#7 - Diego Walsh
Position: Midfielder
College: Southern Methodist
Diego appeared in 14 games in his rookie season notching one goal on the year. Following the season Diego was traded to Kansas City in 2004. Currently Diego is playing in the Australian A-League.
2004 MLS SuperDraft
#2 - Chad Marshall
Position: Defender
College: Stanford
Chad has been the anchor of the Crew's defense since his rookie campaign. Chad has over 210 appearances, 16 goals, two Supporter Shields, an MLS Cup and also named two-time Defensive Player of the Year plus multiple All-Star selection in his seven year career.
2005 MLS SuperDraft
#8 - TRADED
Crew traded its first round selection (No. 8 overall) to LA in exchange for midfielder Simom Elliott
2006 MLS SuperDraft
#3 - Jason Garey
Position: Forward
College: Maryland
Appeared in 83 games notching 15 goals from 2006-2010 before being traded to Houston before the 2011 season.
#9 - Kei Kamara
Position: Forward
College: Cal State Dominguez Hills
Appeared in 36 matches with five goals from 2006-2007. Kei was traded in 2008 to San Jose in exchange for MF Brian Carroll. Currently Kei plays for Sporting KC.
2007 MLS SuperDraft
#2 - TRADED
Crew traded its first-round selection (No. 2 overall) to Chicago, along with F Ryan Coiner, in exchange for forward Andy Herron
2008 MLS SuperDraft
#6 - Andy Iro
Position: Defender
College: UC Santa Barbara
The big defender from Liverpool tallied five goals in 58 appearances from 2008-2011 before being traded during the 2011 season along with Leandre Griffit to Toronto in exchange for MF Tony Tchani.
2009 MLS SuperDraft
#15 - TRADED
Crew traded its first-round selection (No. 15 overall) to New England in exchange for forward Pat Noonan
2010 MLS SuperDraft
#8 - Dilly Duka
Position: Midfielder
College: Rutgers
Crew acquire #8 selection from Colorado in exchange for forward Pat Noonan
Dilly has appeared in 25 matches for the Crew with two goals. Currently Dilly is training with the U-23's in preparation for the 2012 Olympic qualifiers.
12 - Bright Dike
Position: Forward
College: Notre Dame
Bright Dike was waived before the season and signed with the Portland Timbers in 2010.
2011 MLS SuperDraft
#12 - Rich Balchan
Position: Defender
College: Indiana
Rich Balchan appeared in 19 matches and scored a dramatic goal against NY Red Bulls on June 4, 2011 to grab a point on the road. Assisting on the play was fellow first round selection Justin Meram.
15 - Justin Meram*
Position: Forward
College: Michigan
*Crew acquired #15 selection from San Jose in exchange for forward Steven Lenhart
Justin has appeared in 17 matches in 2011. Highlight of the season was assisting on the game tying goal against the NY Red Bulls on June 4, 2011.
