MNUFC 2020 MLS SuperDraft - Who are these guys?

When it comes to professional sports drafts, Major League Soccer has one of the least well known. Even Major League Baseball, which routinely drafts high school kids most of the country has never heard of, gets some modicum of coverage. Not so with the MLS SuperDraft. First off, that is a horrible name that reeks of trying just a bit too hard. Second, few college soccer games ever appear on television and half the country doesn't even play men's soccer.

To the MLS's credit, they ditched the dog and pony show this year. No centralized event. Now big television broadcast. Stream the conference call live for the die hard fans. A few cameras in the top prospect's homes. They seemed to attempt to embrace the K.I.S.S. method of media coverage.

The local squad, Minnesota United ended up picking three new players in this SuperDraft. Finding much information about any of them has been relatively challenging. Since I was doing the digging anyway, I thought I'd compile the links for each of the Minnesota United draft picks in one location.

Minnesota United FC

Round 1 - 18 overall

Noah Billingsley - Defender - UC Santa Barbara

Billingsley started his collegiate career as a forward and transitioned to defense in 2018. Some highlights from the official UC Santa Barbara Gauchos website: (Which does not include any 2019 info...)

"2018: Noah Billingsley started all 18 matches for the Gauchos in his junior season...Finished as one of the most aggressive offensive players this season with 1.33 shots per game and 24 overall despite the change from Forward to Defender...Had the game-winning goal in a conference match against Fullerton in overtime (Oct. 6)...Totaled three points with a goal and an assist each...Billingsley ranked second on the team with 37.5% of his shots being on frame...Played 1465 minutes as a forward...Selected for the preseason All-Conference team, All-Far West Region team, and All-Big West First Team."

Seems rather offensive for a defender but in a fun way.

On a personal level: 

• Calls Superbad his favorite movie
• Likes to watch Breaking Bad and Family Guy
• Enjoys reading Zlatan Ibrahimovi?'s autobiography, I am Zlatan.

According to Noozhawk.com, Billingsley was named to the 2019 United Soccer Coaches All-America Third Team. 

Here are what appears to be highlights before college, circa 2014: 

Below Billingsley is interviewed in relation to his time with New Zealand's U20 team in 2015: 

And of course, the official MNUFC video with head coach Adrian Heath talking about Billingsley: 

Round 2 - No Minnesota United selection. 

According to Wikipedia this pick was part of the trade used to acquire Oswaldo Alonso.

#44: Minnesota United → Orlando City. January 10, 2019: Orlando City SC acquired a second-round selection in the 2020 SuperDraft and the #4 spot in the MLS Waiver Order from Minnesota United FC in exchange for two fourth-round selections in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft and the #1 spot in the MLS Waiver Order. Minnesota used its waiver spot to sign midfielder Osvaldo Alonso.^[24]


Round 3 - No Minnesota United selection. 

According to Wikipedia this pick was part of the Darwin Quintero trade with Houston:

 #70: Minnesota United → Houston Dynamo. November 13, 2019: Houston Dynamo acquired a third-round selection in the 2020 SuperDraft and midfielder Darwin Quintero from Minnesota United FC in exchange for midfielder Marlon Hairston, $150,000 in 2020 general allocation money, $150,000 in 2020 targeted allocation money, $150,000 in 2021 general allocation money, and $150,000 in 2021 targeted allocation money.^[33]

Round 4 - 88 overall 

According to Wikipedia, Minnesota acquired the pick from Chicago.

#88: Chicago Fire → Minnesota United. September 3, 2019: Minnesota United FC acquired a fourth-round selection in the 2020 SuperDraft and $50,000 in 2020 general allocation money from Chicago Fire in exchange for $50,000 in 2019 general allocation money.^[37]

Matthew Bentley - Forward - Missouri State

To their credit, Missouri State is up to date on their website. They even mention Bentley was drafted by the Minnesota United. That happened two days ago! UC Santa Barbara still hasn't added any detail about the 2019 season to Billingsley's page. Here is the 2019 detail from Missori State:

2019: Started in 17 of 20 games, including 15 straight starts to close out the season… Scored 15 goals and added four assists to total 34 points… Recorded an eight-game scoring streak from Oct. 5-Nov. 9 where he tallied 11 goals during the span, highlighted by a trio of multi-goal games against Evansville (Oct. 5), Bradley (Oct. 9), and Valpo (Oct. 30)… Tied the program record for most game-winners in a season with six… His goal at the 0:14 mark against Loyola on Nov. 3 cracked the NCAA Record Book, tying at No. 22 on the list of the fastest goals from the start of a game in Division I history… Tabbed the Valley’s Offensive Player of the Week on Nov. 5… Named MVC Offensive Player of the Year after leading the conference in goals (15), points (34), and game-winning goals (6)… Selected as a First Team All-American as well as receiving All-MVC First Team and All-West Region First Team honors… Was a MAC Hermann Trophy semifinalist... Drafted in the fourth round of the MLS SuperDraft by Minnesota United FC.
Sadly Missouri State does not provide any detail as to Bentley's favorite movie or current reading activities.

Here is a 2019 highlight video, seemingly posted by the man himself:

Goal scoring is always a plus, but his video production seems passable as well. Multi-threat prospect. 

Bentley was interviewed as part of a Missouri Valley Conference video: 

Round 4 - 96 overall

Andrew Booth - Midfielder - Florida International

Minnesota United's final pick of the 2020 SuperDraft was 5'11" midfielder, Andrew Booth. Florida International's website is more in line with UC Santa Barbara than Missouri State.

Here is Booth's blub on the FIU website:

2018 (REDSHIRT JUNIOR): Appeared in 17 games, starting in 16… Booth finished first on the team in total assists (4), while finishing third in total points (8), goals (2), shots (23), and shots-on-goal (9)… He had a game-high five points in a 5-3 victory on the road against UNF (9/23), including one goal and a game-high three assists… Booth’s three assists in that game were the most by any FIU player in a single game during the 2018 season… He earned C-USA Co-Offensive Player of the Week honors for his efforts in the UNF game… Booth scored an equalizing goal at New Mexico (9/29) with a header off a corner kick in the forty-seventh minute… He helped the Panthers score an equalizing goal with an assist in the thirty-fifth minute of a road game against Marshall (9/7)… Booth played the second-most minutes on the team in 2018, logging a total of 1,477… He eclipsed 90-or-more minutes in 12 games during the season… Booth was named to the All-Conference USA Second Team.
While FIU fails to provide us with any favorite movies or books, it is worth noting that Booth was invited to the Jamaican U20 training came previously. 

The Miami Herald had a nice story about Booth's relationship with teammate Daniel Gagliardi, who he has known since they both were 10. "This duo — teammates for more than half their lives — lead nationally-ranked FIU soccer." Gagliardi was drafted in the second round of the 2020 MLS SuperDraft by Vancover. 

In my opinion, Bently and Booth are possibilities for camp and perhaps the future but hardly locks to get minutes any time soon. I also think that Billingsley will get a look in camp and likely see the pitch some in 2020 for the Minnesota United as well as through their farm team relationship with Madison. 

The Challenge of a Robert Covington Trade

As of Monday January 13th, the Minnesota Timberwolves sit at 12th place in the NBA's Western Conference. They are 2 games behind the 8th seed, the last spot for the playoffs. They are also 6 games behind 7th. Even more challenging is that there are 4 teams in front of them and one virtually tied with them, Sacramento, who is just a half game behind. FiveThirtyEight gives the Timberwolves only a 13% chance of making the playoffs:

The likely hood of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year means that roster moves may be in order. The Timberwolves are well over the cap and have few assets that would be enticing to other teams. Robert Covington is likely the most desirable target for most NBA teams. Rumors have linked Covington with the Celtics and the Lakers. So today using ESPN's NBA Trade Machine, I am going to explore what those trades would look like, and spoiler alert, it's not an easy match. 

Covington to the Celtics: 

The Celtics likely are interested in adding Covington to their already fairly successful core, so they would be unlikely to include any of their top players. So forget the idea of Jaylen Brown or Jason Tatum teaming with Karl Anthony Towns. Kemba Walker, Marcus Smart and likely Gordon Hayward are not moving to Minneapolis. So we are likely looking at draft picks, matching salary and maybe a young player. 

Luckily, the Celtics are stocked with draft picks. A recent NBC Sports article, "Celtics draft picks: Boston's collection of future assets still impressive" breaks down all the complicated ins and outs of the draft pick protection process. Boston has become historically good at using these protections to create value down the road. 

In short here is what Boston has in the draft pick war chest: 

In the 2020 NBA Draft:

• Memphis Grizzlies This pick is top-6 protected.

• Milwaukee Bucks This pick is top-7 protected and highly likely to be Boston's with Milwaukee thriving in 2019-2020.

• Boston Celtics First Round Pick

and In the 2021 NBA Draft:

• Potentially unprotected Memphis Grizzlies if not used in 2020.

• Boston Celtics First Round Pick

These picks are not part of the Salary Cap calculation for trades, so they are not on the ESPN Trade Machine. I will add them in for each potential scenario.

Scenario One: Covington for Salaries and Picks
In this scenario, the Celtics give up a bit of their front court depth for Covington. Daniel Theis and Enes Kanter could potentially be flipped to another team to continue to add more youth and picks. Carsen Edwards is a lottery ticket who plays the biggest position of need for the Timberwolves. In this scenario, I would assume that one of the future picks would be included, likely either the Celtics 2020 or the Bucks 2020 first round pick. Both of those picks are likely be in the late 20s of the first round.

The ESPN Trade Machine however, does not like this move for the Celtics. Claiming it would decrease their projected wins by 11. In my opinion, that has a lot to do with how ESPN values Enes Kanter. So let's try it without Kanter. 

Replacing Kanter with two more rookies, Vincent Poirier and Grant Williams both works from a salary standpoint and from a projected wins analysis. The Timberwolves would come away with four younger players in Edwards, Poirier, Williams and the draft pick. This would require additional moves from Minnesota as they would be over the roster limit. Would the potential of this trade be worth it? 

Scenario Two: Convington and Contract Chaos

While I mentioned earlier that Gordon Hayward was likely not on the table, there is the possibility of a bigger deal with the Celtics. However, this scenario doesn't provide as much youth and potential. 

At best, the Timberwolves could hope for a 2020/2021 second round pick. I highly doubt that Danny Ainge is going to give up a first when taking on Gorgui Dieng's contract. Teague and Dieng provide depth and may improve the Celtics second unit. Dieng may even allow the Celtics to flip Kanter or Theis for additional assets. Covington steps into Hayward's position and provides more defense for about one third the cost. 

The Timberwolves free up some salary and take a chance on a PG who may grow into a contributor. Hayward could provide shooting opposite KAT and would be an expiring contract next season. 

Scenario Three: Covington to Hollywood

If they returns from the potential Celtic trades didn't impress you, then things are going to get a bit more underwhelming as we look at a potential Lakers trade. Robert Covington would be a great complement to Lebron and Anthony Davis in LA but the contracts involved make any deal a bit of a mess. The Lakers have virtually no draft picks available for trade in the near future and a roster that is very top heavy. 

Yep. It basically is one year of Avery Bradley and two years of Kyle Kuzma for Covington. Some potential cap savings with the expiring contract of DeMarcus Cousins as well. This has to be one of the most underwhelming returns for Covington. Yet, the Lakers seem to be the most commonly mentioned potential destination in the media. 

In my opinion these potential trades are underwhelming, especially with Covington on the books for another year at a decent salary. He seems to be a team leader and has a good relationship with Towns. If these are the offers, I personally may decide to hold onto Covington until the summer and see what other potential offers may come with the new calendar year. 

January 7th, 2020 MN HS Girls Basketball - Apple Valley Eagles vs. Farmington Tigers

Though their overall records would seem to deny it, Apple Valley High School and Farmington High School met tonight to determine who would hold first place in the South Suburban conference for girl's basketball.

Farmington came into tonight with a 4-0 conference record and a stealing overall record of 11-1. The Tigers even held the number two spot in the Minnesota Basketball News Class 4A Top Ten entering the game. In fact, Farmington's only loss was to the number one team on that same list, Hopkins. 

Apple Valley on the other hand, had a rough start to the 2019-2020 season. The Eagles started off the season with five consecutive road or neutral site games and lost them all. That run included losses to two other top ten teams, Centennial and Hopkins. 

After that 0-5 start, the Eagles pulled off an upset of Lakeville North that sparked a 5-2 run. Last week they outpaced Prior Lake 77-64 behind 29 points from senior point guard, Kalena Myers. This Tuesday night match up presented them with an opportunity to tie Farmington atop the conference and fully put the rough start well behind them. 

Farmington jumped out to a quick 7-0 early lead prompting an early Eagles time out. There was the feeling the game could quickly turn into a blow out. However, foul trouble for two of Farmington's primary ball handlers, Peyton Blandin and Molly Mogensen picking up two fouls each before half way through the first half.

Apple Valley used pressure to deny the ball in to Farmington Center Sophie Hart. Often this sernved to disrupt the Tiger offense. The Eagles pressure forced a few turnovers before the half to cut the lead to 7. Myers led the team with 17 first half points.

Myers pouring in the points and the foul trouble for Blandin and Mogensen were not the only ingredients in the Eagles recipe for success in the first half. Farmington's Paige Kindseth appeared to badly turn an ankle and missed time in the first half as well. With arguably three of the Tigers top players providing limited minutes, Apple Valley had to have hoped for less than a 7 point half time disadvantage.

The atmosphere leading into half time was tense. Both teams took nearly all of half time seemingly working on strategy in the locker rooms rather than warming up on the court. The strategy worked more efficiently for Farmington - they quickly extended their lead.

Farmington's depth was a challenge for Apple Valley. For the season, the Tigers had four starters averaging more than 11 points a game. Blandin, Mogensen, Kindseth and Hart took turns providing offense in the second half. Mogensen and Kindseth had several bursts of scoring. Mogensen worked her way to the rim for lap ups and floaters. She even got to the line several times.

Kindseth looked recovered from whatever ankle issue she experienced in the second half and dominated with her shooting. She has very efficient form and her motion is consistent. Each shot looked smooth and likely to go in. She has a quick trigger and is reminiscient of Lakeville North's Lauren Jensen, who recently made a commitment to the University of Iowa.

The Tigers consistently extended their lead behind Mogensen, Hart, Blandin and Kindseth. Myers wasn't able to continue her profilic pace from the first half for Apple Valley. Eagles senior, Anna Mutch, recently commited to University of Wisconsin - Stout, worked to get to the line and attempt to extend the game. Mutch was often matched up with Farmington's Hart, despite a substantial height disadvantage.

However, even continued foul trouble for Mogensen and Blandin couldn't help Apple Valley get back into the game. The benches were emptied and in the end, Farmington improved to 12-1 on the season and 5-0 in the South Suburban conference. Apple Valley fell to 3-2 in the conference 5-8 overall.

Big time college ball could easily be in the cards for several of the Tigers if they continue to improve. With a starting lineup that features three juniors and is already ranked #2 in the state, the future looks bright for the Tigers.

Prospect Profile: Dawson Garcia

One of the top prep prospects in the state, Prior Lake's Dawson Garcia displayed nearly all of his talents against Apple Valley to start of the new year. Garcia, rated as a four star prospect by Rivals.com and committed to Marquette, towed over his competition. However, it was the fluidity of his game that was even more impressive. He showed a competent handle and his 6'10 frame dominated near the basket. The majority of his shots came near the basket with a variety of post moves and tip ins.

The Eagles defense did their best to deny Garcia the ball but when it did get to him he put in an efficient performance. The future Golden Eagle tallied 39 points and 19 rebounds. At one point, he was outscoring Apple Valley as a team.

With the game in hand, he was brought to the bench after a hard foul on Apple Valley's Bilal Kone. Garcia ended the game shooting 15 for 25 but that number is even more efficient when you remove his four missed three point attempts. He also was 9 of 13 from the free throw line.

Outside shooting was the only area of concern for Garcia against the Eagles. However, he has solid form and would seem to be a streaky shooter. Most of the attempts were well behind the high school three point line. It wouldn't surprise me to see him continue to grow in that area and be a force from distance in college. Adding consistency from deep would continue to raise his profile and might be the key to taking a step after college.

Reference: Prior Lake vs. Apple Valley - January 3rd, 2020 box score.