MLS Champs Draft RMU's Brett; Crew Add Depth

Robert Morris University’s standout Neco Brett was selected with the 40th pick in Major League Soccer’s SuperDraft on Tuesday.
Timbers coach Caleb Porter said that he felt Brett was the best available player left at the No. 40 pick. He said that the club plans to use Brett mostly on the wing.

“He has upside,” Porter said. “He has flair. He can score goals. We feel like we can put him in the mix there with the other forwards at T2 and see who can rise to the top.”

It is unlikely that Brett will see any playing time with the first team this year. Instead, Porter said that the club could choose to develop him at T2, the Timbers’ USL team.

“We have a good crop of young talented players on T2,” Porter said. “Most likely that will be where he goes.”

CREW ADD DEPTH 

While Brett went to the MLS Champs, the MLS Runner-Up, Columbus Crew, the new affiliate partner of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, loaded up by adding depth with four selections spanning the end of the first round through the end of the second round.

The Black & Gold selected Florida Gulf Coast midfielder Rodrigo Saravia (pronounced: suh-RAH-vee-ah) in the First Round (19th overall) as well as Cal Poly midfielder Chase Minter (21st overall), Charlotte forward Kyle Parker (31st overall) and Wheaton forward Marshall Hollingsworth (41st overall) in the Second Round.

“We added depth and we added players that match our style of play,” said Sporting Director and Head Coach Gregg Berhalter. “Overall, we are pleased with the draft. All four players selected today are high-character individuals and match the positional profiles that we were looking for.”

Berhalter added on an interview aired on the Crew’s Draft Central Web Page, that all four players will be provided with an opportunity to compete for spots on the team’s roster.  Unlike Porter, who views Brett as a player for the Timbers USL team, Berhalter wasn’t quite ready to commit his draft picks to play in Pittsburgh just yet.

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).