:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58390323/usa_today_10552616.0.jpg)
As the Galaxy organization flies back to Los Angeles, the group led by the under-the-weather Sigi Schmid can hold their heads high. After years of unimpressive results in the MLS SuperDraft, LA have added a rock-solid center back in Tomas Hilliard-Arce and a quality sleeper pick with Drew Skundrich, both of whom won three national championships at Stanford.
Obviously a No. 2 overall pick has something to do with the improved results, but LA were disciplined and came away winners on the day as a result. MLS draft experts Travis Clark and Charles Boehm graded the 2018 SuperDraft, giving the Galaxy a higher score than city rival LAFC.
LA Galaxy: B+
In need of a culture boost, the Galaxy selected two captains from the back-to-back-to-back NCAA champs Stanford. Tomas Hilliard-Arce has a senior contract already and could compete for starting minutes soon, while Drew Skundrich faces an uphill battle to crack the rotation for LA, but could end up as a big piece for LA Galaxy II.
In an ideal world you’d like to go after an attacking player, but with the most complete soccer player in the draft in Joao Moutinho selected by LAFC and a majority of strikers requiring an international slot, you avoid swinging at the fences and go with the sure thing in Hilliard-Arce.
Drew Skundrich has his work cut out for him, but Dominic Kinnear knows the Stanford product from his Nor Cal days, comparing the tireless midfield engine to former Earthquakes youth product J.J. Koval.