MLS Mock Draft: Chivas USA select Enrique Cardenas with No. 20 pick

Chivas USA have holes all over the field, with the exception of goalkeeper, so at the top of the second round, they'll be looking to get an MLS-ready player from any outfield position. As a result, we select midfielder Enrique Cardenas, out of UC Irvine.

The senior, from Coachella, California, is familiar to Chivas USA as is a native of the region and played college ball nearby. Though he is not at the top of the draft board, Cardenas can come to the team and compete for a spot on the squad, something that will likely not be too hard given the number of players to be added in the preseason on the team. With Chivas' scoring woes in 2012 and 2013, Cardenas was able to contribute goals and assists in college and could prove to be a steal should he slot into the Goats' system (whatever that may end up being).

Cardenas was Big West Conference Midfielder of the Year his senior season, and was named to Top Drawer Soccer's 2013 National Best XI second team. He has been invited to the MLS Combine, which could go a long way in determining if he will be available in the second round for Chivas.

And assuming he hasn't been offered a contract heading into the draft, that will likely appeal to Chivas, meaning Cardenas will need to impress in the preseason in order to earn a contract. This gives the team flexibility in deciding whether or not he will make the grade in MLS, at least this year.

Who the experts say (your team) will pick: So far, Cardenas and UC Irvine teammate Marco Franco (defender) appear to be in pole position. I was all set to take Franco, but he was taken prior to the second round.

Why I'm invariably wrong: The biggest question is who will be making this decision. Though Chivas' personnel decisions in 2013 appeared to hone in on Mexican American players, such as lone 2013 SuperDraft selection Carlos Alvarez, it is unclear if race will play a part, if the team will opt for local players, or if the team's new coach, if appointed in time, will have any input in making the selection. Based on that, and the place of their first SuperDraft selection, predicting what they will do is a complete crapshoot.

Why I'm smarter than the pundits: I actually watch Chivas (to be fair, it must be hard to watch all of the college players and MLS all the time).

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

First Round

Second Round