MLS Superdraft 2014: LA Galaxy select New Mexico center back Kyle Venter

The LA Galaxy have selected with the twenty third pick in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft center back Kyle Venter from the University of New Mexico. The six-foot-three, 190-pound defender was a three time All-American. Projected by mlssoccer.com as a Clarence Goodson type center back he's going to compete with fellow draftees Tommy Meyer and Kofi Opare for the role of LA's next great center back.

The talented defender started to gain the attention of scouts in his sophomore year marking up on current Galaxy attacker Gyasi Zardes. This is a depth pick, taking the best player available over need. There's no pressure on Venter to produce right away. The reviews on his potential are mixed, but in SB Nation's mock draft Brotherly Game did write that he looked lost in his College Cup appearance.

Not only will Venter have to compete with Meyer and Opare, but Leonardo is still on the Galaxy roster. Omar Gonzalez is going to miss time with the national team, and A.J. DeLaGarza is likely to be tied to the right back spot with Sean Franklin gone. How exactly the defensive line shakes out is more of a mystery than it has been in some time for LA.

The LA Galaxy have one more pick in this draft, in the fourth round.