Ahead of this week's 2015 MLS SuperDraft, presented by adidas in Philadelphia, ColumbusCrewSC.com takes a look at some of the prospects that may address Crew SC's needs with the 14th overall selection. The series continues with Akron defender Saad Abdul-Salaam.
Why not go with a local kid with the 14th pick?
Akron defender and Gahanna native Saad Abdul-Salaam could make a lot of sense for Crew SC with the 14th overall pick in Thursday's draft. The local product helped deliver a state title to Gahanna Lincoln High School with Wil Trapp before both went on to star at Akron.
Given the departures of Eric Gehrig, Josh Williams and Ross Friedman this offseason, rightback depth is an area that Crew SC could address in Thursday's SuperDraft. Chad Barson is the only true rightback left on the Black & Gold's roster, with Hector Jimenez filling in capably at different points during the 2014 season.
Abdul-Salaam would be much more than just a feel-good local pick, however. Abdul-Salaam proved he could be an offensive threat from the back during his college career, replacing DeAndre Yedlin on the Zips' backline and scoring three goals and assisting on 12 more in his three-year college career. At 6-foot-3, he provides size on the right side of the backline, much like Williams did in the past. The fullback was near the top in the 30-meter dash and vertical jump categories at the adidas Player Combine in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., earning a contract with MLS ahead of the SuperDraft.
While it's uncertain what direction Gregg Berhalter will take in Thursday's SuperDraft, Abdul-Salaam is a player that plenty of fans around Columbus will have their eye on.
The 2015 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas takes place Thursday in Philadelphia. Fans can watch LIVE on ColumbusCrewSC.com/DraftCentral.
