Real talks to teams about No. 1 pick

Steve Pastorino admits he's back-tracking a bit.

When Clint Mathis was introduced as Real Salt Lake's newest acquisition at a press conference last week, Pastorino said the team was excited about Friday's MLS SuperDraft, and there was no way the club would trade away its No. 1 pick. A week later, RSL's general manager is changing his tune after several discussions with at least three MLS general managers in the past couple of days.

"We'll keep the No. 1 pick close to our vest because there are a lot of negotiations with teams under way," said Pastorino.

As it stands now, however, Real Salt Lake owns the No. 1 pick in this Friday's four-round SuperDraft in Baltimore.

Unlike some years, the 2005 draft doesn't have a can't-miss prospect — a big reason why Pastorino is keeping his cell phone turned on. Last year the obvious No. 1 pick was teenage phenom Freddy Adu, who D.C. United gladly snatched up with the top pick.

"There doesn't appear to be a transcendent player like there are in some years," said Pastorino. "With that said, with the advancement of college soccer, the draft has improved significantly over the last nine years."

If RSL doesn't deal its pick, the most logical choice is University of Indiana midfielder Danny O'Rourke. He's regarded as the best midfielder in the draft, and it's no secret Salt Lake needs midfielders. Of the 14 players currently on the roster, only three are listed as midfielders. That number is somewhat misleading, as most players usually play multiple positions, but it's still a good indicator about the team's weakness.

O'Rourke is coming off an NCAA Championship season at Indiana and should be able to come in and start right away.

While the experienced O'Rourke fills plenty of immediate needs, don't be surprised if RSL takes another approach. One player rumored to be in the watchful eye of coach John Ellinger is 16-year-old midfielder Nikolas Besagno.

Prior to being named Real Salt Lake's head coach, Ellinger was the head coach of the under-17 U.S. National Team. One of the regulars on Ellinger's team recently was Besagno, a 6-foot-1, 175-pound midfielder. Even though Besagno likely wouldn't step in right away and start, he seems like a good pick for the future.

Beyond the first pick, depth at several positions is what Pastorino and Ellinger have in mind.

"We feel we have world-class attacking players and a world-class keeper, and solid midfielders and defenders," said Pastorino. "But we don't have depth."