In-depth coverage leading up to the 2013 MLS SuperDraft.
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They are the hottest college seniors heading into the 2013 MLS SuperDraft. So hot that they've already penned MLS deals.
Major League Soccer on Monday unveiled the names of five college seniors who earned league contracts before the SuperDraft, which will be held on Thursday, January 17 at the NSCAA Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.
The fab five are Connecticut midfielder Carlos Alvarez, Boston College midfielder Kyle Bekker, Maryland's John Stertzer and Notre Dame duo Ryan Finley and Dillon Powers.
UConn's Alvarez is a central midfielder and expert passer who can change a game with his skills. Many have already slotted him as a high SuperDraft pick (read his full scouting report here).
Stertzer was an all-around midfielder in college, who many expect will slot into defensive midfield in MLS, earning comparisons to Mikey Stephens and Stephen King (read his full scouting report here).
For his part, Boston College's Bekker has earned comparisons with NY Red Bulls midfielder Dax McCarty and D.C. United rookie Nick DeLeon (read his full scouting report here).
A goalscorer extraordinaire, Notre Dame's Finley has earned comparisons with Robbie Keane and Ruud Van Nistelrooy with his nose for goal and his ability to run off the shoulder of defenders (read his full scouting report here).
Finley's teammate, Dillon Powers, was the man supplying him with the service at Notre Dame. Although he played attacking midfielder in college, he is projected to be more of a defensive or box-to-box midfielder in MLS (read his full scouting report here).
All five players will be competing at the MLS Player Combine, which kicks off on Friday, January 11 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
