The Crew technical staff has arrived in Indianapolis looking to improve its roster in Thursday's 2013 MLS SuperDraft. Technical Director Brian Bliss is pleased with the talent pool he and the rest of the staff observed at the MLS Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale over the last five days.
"Obviously, we were able to see quite a bit [in Fort Lauderdale] over the five days and three games," Bliss said on Wednesday. "A lot of it is confirmation of what we've seen from a good percentage of the players during the college season. It was a good chance to re-confirm what we do and learn a little bit about the guys that we don't know that much about from schools on the West Coast."
While Bliss and the Crew brass are prepared to select ninth overall in the SuperDraft on Thursday, the Crew could still explore making other transactions in Indianapolis to either acquire established MLS talent or move up in the Draft order.
Trade rumors have already begun to swirl as the Chicago Fire has reportedly traded its First Round pick and allocation money to the Colorado Rapids for midfielder Jeff Larentowicz. Other deals will likely be made, and Bliss is still considering all options for the Black & Gold.
"There are some trade possibilities," Bliss explained. "Obviously, we've got a couple players that have drawn some interest from some other teams that could potentially help us move up in the Draft. We can package some things together with players and picks. We have some flexibility."
Former Crew midfielder and United States International Robbie Rogers will not return to English Championship side Leeds United after his loan to Stevenage in England's Third Division expired on Wednesday. Should Rogers decide to return to MLS, the Crew currently hold his rights. The Crew could look to trade those rights ahead of the SuperDraft.
"Everybody knows now that Robbie [Rogers] is available because he's terminated his contract with Leeds," Bliss said. "There are some assets there that we have that are pretty attractive and we could possibly make a deal on Draft day."
The 2013 MLS SuperDraft begins at noon ET on Thursday and will be streamed globally via ESPN3, ESPN FC, MLSsoccer.com and YouTube.
