MLS Mock Draft: Galaxy select Fifi Baiden with No. 14 pick

Kingsley "Fifi" Baiden has been compared to Dax McCarty. A defensive midfielder, Top Drawer Soccer currently has him on the top 100 player rankings. He's not a goal scorer, but can play the role Juninho currently does. Born in Ghana, he came to the US through a soccer academy which after five years placed him in the US at the age of 15. He dealt with injuries earlier this season but then made 15 of 16 possible appearances.

Baiden's red card in the NCAA tournament was the first of his soccer career and a controversial one to boot. This is a disciplined player who shouldn't have an issue dedicating himself to figuring out a new system. He's the glue and the pace-setter to the attack from the back.

He's the only player in Top Drawer soccer's top ten midfielder list to play the holding midfielder role. If he's still available, Baiden is the type of player who could have a lasting impact if given the time to develop.

What LA will be looking for in the draft: Filler, mostly. With just the one pick in the first two rounds, and a later one at that, LA's not going to find an immediate impact player.

Who the experts say LA will pick: Top Drawer has LA going after Luca Gimenez who would take an international spot but could contribute on the left side. MLS Soccer's latest says another DM in JJ Koval.

Why I’m invariably wrong: Bruce Arena rarely goes predictable in the draft, and although this is the team's highest draft pick since they selected Omar Gonzalez in 2009 it wouldn't shock me if Arena went off script.

Why I’m smarter than the pundits: Arena has a history of going local with Stephens, Jimenez, and Garcia coming through the draft and several UCLA prospects making their way over to the Galaxy.

Full Mock Draft results (click on player names to see the profiles)

First Round

Second Round