Toronto FC selected five players Tuesday in the MLS Supplemental Draft. These players, in addition to last week’s SuperDraft, brings Toronto’s overall college player haul to seven in 2012.
On Thursday in MLS SuperDraft, the Reds selected midfielder Luis Silva and defender Aaron Maund.
Joining them from the Supplemental Draft are midfielders Michael Green (New Mexico), Arthur Ivo (Southern Methodist) and Mike Mazzullo (Columbia); along with defenders Nickardo Blake (Connecticut) and Mykell Bates (Santa Clara).
“Each one of these players at some point during our scouting, either in the fall, winter or at MLS Combine, showed us something that made us take notice,” said Earl Cochrane, director of team and player operations.
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Although the history of Supplemental Draft players making the first team squad is short, Cochrane said the team will evaluate if the selected players can fill any needs for Toronto.
Green (pictured above) started 22 games for New Mexico in 2011. The 22-year old was born in Birmingham, England, but is a United States citizen. In 2010, Green was named to the All-Mountain Pacific Sports Federation First Team.
Another 22-year old, Blake, was selected next by Toronto. The central defender holds dual U.S./Jamaica citizenship and started in all 25 of his games for the University of Connecticut last year.
Toronto took a second defender with its next pick. Bates is a 21-year old California-native, who started 14 games for Santa Clara in 2011 and can play right fullback. He was named to the All-West Coast Conference First Team in 2010 and 2011.
The Ivo selection (first name pronounced ar-TOOR) is an interesting one for Toronto. The 22-year old attacking midfielder can also play the left side. He comes from a football family, with his father once suiting up for Sao Paulo in their native Brazil, while his older brother was born in the U.S. and played at St. John’s University. Ivo has earned a long list of accolades, including 2010 M.A.C. Hermann Trophy semifinalist for top U.S. college soccer player, and he was named to Soccer America MVPs Second Team in 2011.
Toronto finished the day by selecting 21-year old Mike Mazzullo from Columbia University. The Ivy League midfielder displays natural leadership qualities and has been known to be a physical player.
In Toronto’s Supplemental Draft history, only Kiwi Jarrod Smith and Canadian Tyler Hemming ever managed to make it past the preseason and onto first team plans.
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