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Sporting KC selects two in final rounds of MLS Superdraft

After not having any picks in the first two rounds, SKC made use of their picks in the third and fourth round.

By Thad Bell
San Diego State v Washington - Pac-12 Conference
Jaret Townsend in purple
Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images

Sporting Kansas City selected Jaret Townsend from Washington with the 6th pick of the third round (58th overall) and James Kasak Virginia Tech the 6th pick of the 4th round (84th overall) in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft.

Townsend is listed as a midfielder/winger and wore the #7 for Washington Huskies. When he was recruited, Huskies coach Jamie Clark described him, “Jaret is a dynamic winger that loves to run at players. He’s possibly the best 1v1 player in the country for the 2016 recruiting class.”

The Highlands Ranch, Colo native had seven goals and an assist in his senior year and was listed 52nd overall on the Top Drawer Draft board.

His highlight package does show he likes to run at defenses, even showing a little Johnny Russell moment when he splits two defenders to run inside.

Townsend Highlights

Kasak is listed as a forward and a left back but that is because he underwent a transformation prior to his junior year, moving to left back. “I started thriving,” he told the News leader. “I saw the field better from back there. I could help out defense too and attack from that position. I helped the team find success. I played well.”

The Stuarts Draft, Virginia native helped Virginia Tech to the post season each of his four years but went from starting just 4 games his first two years to starting all 40 of his last two seasons. The additional starts and coming from the back seems to have helped his offense as well. A single goal each of his first two years with one assist to a goal and seven assists as a junior and three goals with five assists as a senior.

Kasak Highlights

Both Kasak and Townsend will have an uphill battle to sign with Sporting Kansas City and will be more likely to spend time with their USL affiliate, Sporting Kansas City II (The team formerly known as Swope Park Rangers). Both of them do appear to possess qualities that Sporting KC and SKC II can use for more depth while they adjust to a professional life and the increase in quality and speed.

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