The winnowing fan of Major League Soccer has kept the Generation Adidas class at five for this year.
The GA program has two major benefits, one for teams and the other for players. GA players do not count against a team’s roster, and usually make a lot more money than a minimum contract.
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Once regularly a dozen or more, this year’s class is just a five, a joint-record low with last season’s bunch.
So who’s in the class for Jan. 14’s draft in Baltimore?
Josh Yaro, 21, defender, Georgetown -- Would’ve been GA last season if he came out, and perhaps gone as high as No. 1 overall. Didn’t have the same season this year, but a solid back.
Julian Buescher, 22, midfielder, Syracuse -- The German is older and more or less complete as a prospect. The 5-foot-10 junior buried 8 goals and 11 assists with his responsibility upped after a five-assist campaign as a freshman.
Andrew Tarbell, 21, goalkeeper, Clemson -- Should have a legitimate chance to continue his growth as a U.S. national team prospect if chosen by the right club.
Jack Harrison, 19, midfielder, Wake Forest -- The Englishman is undersized but was a pivotal man, as a freshman, on perhaps the most complete team in college soccer this season.
Richie Laryea, 21, midfielder, Akron -- When he’s on, he’s on. The 5'9" Canadian is a bit of a risk, and exploded during his sophomore campaign after netting just once as a freshman. Of his 11 goals and 7 assists, 10 and 2 came in four games.
Laryea is the only surprise, really, and a mild one at that.
