MLS Mock Draft: Red Bulls select Pete Caringi with No. 22 pick

Pete Caringi just finished his Senior season with the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC) Retrievers. In his four years with the Retrievers, Pete appeared in 77 games (19.25/year), while scoring a total of 37 goals (0.48 goals per game). Of those 37 goals, 27 of them were scored in his last two season, over 39 games played (0.69 goals per game). During his time at UMBC, Caringi also managed to chip in with 17 assists (0.22 assists per game).

In the summer of 2013, Caringi appeared in 12 games for USL Premier Development League side Baltimore Bohemians. He earned the 2013 PDL Golden Boot for his 16 goals (1.33 goals per game), while leading the leagues in points (37), tying for 6th in shots taken (45), and chipping in with 5 assists. He led the Bohemians to their first ever playoff appearance by taking 2nd place in the Mid-Atlantic Division.

It should be obvious, but Caringi is simply a player who can put the ball away. From what I have seen of him with his time with the Bohemians, he can also control the ball in a forward position, something that is a little bit of an underrated skill. He does have a tendency at times to get himself in trouble, but I chalk that up to youth more than anything else.

What the Red Bulls will be looking for in the draft: Mike Petke has already stated that he wants to find a defender who can play on the wing and join in the attack.

Who the experts say the Red Bulls will pick: Soccer by Ives had Luca Gimenez going to the Red Bulls, while Top Drawer Soccer had them picking Nikita Kotlov.

Why I’m invariably wrong: Petke has clearly stated he wants to focus on the defense and wing play. The forward position for the Red Bulls is already congested with Thierry Henry, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Peguy Luyindula, & Andre Akpan, not to mention Homegrown Player Amando Moreno.

Why I’m smarter than the pundits: Pete Caringi isn't just a pick for 2014, but a pick for the future. Henry's contract runs through the current season, but after that, his position with the team in unknown. More likely than not, he won't be returning for another season. Luyindula seems to be better suited as an attacking midfielder than a forward, especially with his low goal production since joining the Red Bulls. Wright-Phillips is promising, but he's been injury prone since joining the team. Akpan and Moreno could step up, but given the mid-season addition of Wright-Phillips in 2013, it seems that they aren't valued highly enough. The Red Bulls had a hard enough time replacing Kenny Cooper's production in 2013, it'll be even harder to replace when Henry leaves.

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

First Round

Second Round