As the dust settles after yesterday’s MLS SuperDraft, pundits nationwide are calling New England a draft-day winner. Each outlet and author has something different to share, so check out the pieces below for more on the Revs’ three picks.
Boston.com
“’I think my motivation when I go into camp is to be the best player I can be,’ Mullins said in a conference call. ‘I believe that my skill and what I do well will translate to the next level and I’m excited to prove that.’”
“Last season, the Revolution developed the identity of a young, creative team that was fun to watch in the attack. On Thursday at the 2014 MLS Superdraft in Philadelphia, Head Coach Jay Heaps built upon his team’s new identity by snapping up three of the best offensive and midfield college products in Steve Neumann, Patrick Mullins, and Alec Sundly.”
Boston Herald
“The first three picks in the MLS SuperDraft left the Revolution with a choice to make between Georgetown forward Steve Neumann and Maryland forward Patrick Mullins with the fourth overall selection. They adopted a novel approach to the situation: they drafted both of them.”
“’When we came into this, we were looking to add some pieces in different areas of the field,’ Burns said. ‘The attacking area of the field was our primary focus. Just speaking really honestly, we didn’t feel we were going to get both Steve and Patrick.’”
ESPN Boston
“Many pundits predicted Mullins, who put together an impressive performance at the Combine, would go inside the top 5. But even though he had to wait until the 11th spot to hear his name, Mullins won’t be playing with a chip on his shoulder when joins the Revolution for the preseason next week.”
“Although Revolution may have been quiet on the offseason transaction scene, the selections of Neumann, Mullins and Sundly suggest they came away from it all as clear winners.”
MLSsoccer.com
“One reason [Mullins is] excited about the destination is because he’s going to New England with a player he knows well: Georgetown senior midfielder Steve Neumann. The Revs picked Neumann with the fourth overall pick, arguably leaving the draft with the most seasoned and successful college players on the board.”
"The New England Revolution also made some of the biggest waves of the day by taking arguably the best two offensive players in the draft."
“’I had a good meeting with them at the Combine,’ Neumann said of his new club. ‘Right when my name was called, I immediately remembered our interview.’”
Goal.com
“Mullins was headed to the Revolution. So was he surprised by the turn of events? ‘Surprised? No, this is draft day," Mullins exclaimed with a laugh. "Anything can happen.’”
“New England Revolution: Came into the draft needing forwards and walked away with two accomplished players who were undervalued because of questions about their ideal positions.”
Sun Chronicle
"’There's a lot of young talent (in New England) with buys like (Diego) Fagundez and Kelyn Rowe,’ added Neumann. ‘It's the right fit for me. It's unique from from the college game where you are the big man on campus to being a rookie. I think that I can help out with the attack, with my work rate.’”
NOLA.com
’We were just sitting there today and thinking about what a week it has been,’ Mullins said. ‘It’s the cherry on top of the cake knowing that I’m going to a great place like New England, and I think it’s been a perfect week. I couldn’t have asked for it to be much better.’”
The Intelligencer
“Neumann is looking forward to getting on the field with the Revolution and seeing his skills fit into their system. ‘I think I’m versatile enough and my skill set us versatile enough that I can play anywhere in the midfield or up top,’ he said. ‘I’m very confident in my game, and I’m confident that I can step in and make an impact right away.’”
NBC Sports ProSoccerTalk
“The emotional pull for Mullins was strong; coming out of the University of Maryland, he reminded Revs supporters of another Terrapins striker drafted for duty at Gillette Stadium – one who turned into a pretty darn good player: Taylor Twellman.”
