When Toronto FC selected little-known midfielder Tsubasa Endoh with the No. 9 pick in last year’s Major League Soccer SuperDraft, coach Greg Vanney thought he would adapt quickly to the pro game.
Endoh went on to appear in 21 games as a rookie despite injuries, which was quite a feat.
But that was then. After reaching the MLS Cup final in December with an established group and with that core still in tact, it will be much harder to break into the lineup this time. And that success means they’ll be drafting later — 21st out of 22 clubs — when the selection process begins on Friday afternoon in Los Angeles.