2024-11-15, 11:59 AM - Word count:
With the S18 SSL draft on the horizon, Dina Skovgaard finds herself in a precarious position, looking for clarity on her future team. The Norwegian defender is tied for 2nd in TPE among a stacked draft class that could reshape the future of the SSL, and would be a prime target for any team looking to add an aggressive fullback to their team. It came as a bit of a surprise, then, when only three of the league’s organizations reached out during the pre-draft scouting window to speak with Skovgaard about a future with their teams. Representatives from CA Buenos Aires (picks 3, 11), Schwarzwälder FV (picks 7, 15, 23), and Reykjavik United (picks 8, 16, 29) each expressed interest, but which of them is most likely to add the Stockholm IK prospect in the upcoming draft? For that, we’ll need to look at each organization in detail, and what their futures look like.
![[Image: W6meOIQ.png]](https://i.imgur.com/W6meOIQ.png)
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With neither majors or minors teams above .500, it’s safe to say this organization is looking at the future. Boasting a serviceable core of S14-S17 players, Buenos Aires will be looking to continue their growth and challenge in the minors, before making a leap to majors success. Neither fullback on the majors squad should be a significant concern for Skovgaard’s rise up the depth chart. Unfortunately, the Athenai squad has a strong RD in Louie Duck, and a LWB in Riamel Kloulechad. Unless one of them moves out, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of room for Dina without some serious changes, and it’s likely that they go for a winger or other attacking forward to bolster their offense.
![[Image: LB9LiWN.png]](https://i.imgur.com/LB9LiWN.png)
SFV is the definition of a topheavy team right now, with a strong majors roster looking for another title and a much weaker minors team struggling for success. With a 1700+ tpe RWB on the majors roster in Tamanna Whittington, it would be a long road to the majors for Dina Skovgaard, but spending time turning Montreal into a minors contender isn’t a bad thing, and with only an inactive RWB and no left defenders on the roster, Skovgaard would fill an organizational need for a long time to come. The concern for SFV is what the future looks like, as a quick glance at activity and tpe raise concerns about activity in the prospect pool, and a few rough drafts in a row could mean tough times ahead.
![[Image: e8nFXDJ.png]](https://i.imgur.com/e8nFXDJ.png)
Reykjavik being good shouldn’t be a shock to anyone at this point, and the best organization in the SSL right now is loading up their next core nicely. The majors roster, fresh off another title run, is starting to age, with heavy regression in the midfield and defense. The prospect pool appears to be targeted accordingly, with S16 and S17 players concentrated in the midfield, along with a CD and a striker. North Shore has no fullbacks or wingbacks, and Reykjavik proper has a young LB in Marco Tentacles who will need a counterpart on the right to be successful long term. In terms of roster needs, this could be the perfect fit for Skovgaard, but the question remains: Does their system need a fullback at all?
Where does this leave us going into the draft? Will one of these teams use a coveted first round pick on Dina Skovgaard on Sunday? Will positional needs lead to a fall for the 2nd highest earner in the class? Will one of the other 5 organizations make a surprise pick without any contact at all? The future may be bright for Dina, but the draft is another story, and her options look slimmer than ever.
Prediction: Reykjavik United, 8th overall
I see Dina ending up in a green shirt on Sunday for a couple reasons: The other two teams that showed interest have bigger needs than a right defender, and with so much talent in the class there’s a lot more pressure to fill the organization’s needs than to pick the best draft interview. I don’t think she falls to the end of the second round though, and Reykjavik would be smart to lock up a position they need and grab early first round value at the bottom of the round.
CA Buenos Aires (6th, 6-1-7)
Athenai F.C. (5th, 5-2-7)
With neither majors or minors teams above .500, it’s safe to say this organization is looking at the future. Boasting a serviceable core of S14-S17 players, Buenos Aires will be looking to continue their growth and challenge in the minors, before making a leap to majors success. Neither fullback on the majors squad should be a significant concern for Skovgaard’s rise up the depth chart. Unfortunately, the Athenai squad has a strong RD in Louie Duck, and a LWB in Riamel Kloulechad. Unless one of them moves out, there doesn’t seem to be a lot of room for Dina without some serious changes, and it’s likely that they go for a winger or other attacking forward to bolster their offense.
Schwarzwälder FV (2nd, 8-5-1)
Montreal United (5th, 4-1-9)
SFV is the definition of a topheavy team right now, with a strong majors roster looking for another title and a much weaker minors team struggling for success. With a 1700+ tpe RWB on the majors roster in Tamanna Whittington, it would be a long road to the majors for Dina Skovgaard, but spending time turning Montreal into a minors contender isn’t a bad thing, and with only an inactive RWB and no left defenders on the roster, Skovgaard would fill an organizational need for a long time to come. The concern for SFV is what the future looks like, as a quick glance at activity and tpe raise concerns about activity in the prospect pool, and a few rough drafts in a row could mean tough times ahead.
Reykjavik United (1st, 10-1-3)
North Shore United (1st, 13-0-1)
Reykjavik being good shouldn’t be a shock to anyone at this point, and the best organization in the SSL right now is loading up their next core nicely. The majors roster, fresh off another title run, is starting to age, with heavy regression in the midfield and defense. The prospect pool appears to be targeted accordingly, with S16 and S17 players concentrated in the midfield, along with a CD and a striker. North Shore has no fullbacks or wingbacks, and Reykjavik proper has a young LB in Marco Tentacles who will need a counterpart on the right to be successful long term. In terms of roster needs, this could be the perfect fit for Skovgaard, but the question remains: Does their system need a fullback at all?
Where does this leave us going into the draft? Will one of these teams use a coveted first round pick on Dina Skovgaard on Sunday? Will positional needs lead to a fall for the 2nd highest earner in the class? Will one of the other 5 organizations make a surprise pick without any contact at all? The future may be bright for Dina, but the draft is another story, and her options look slimmer than ever.
Prediction: Reykjavik United, 8th overall
I see Dina ending up in a green shirt on Sunday for a couple reasons: The other two teams that showed interest have bigger needs than a right defender, and with so much talent in the class there’s a lot more pressure to fill the organization’s needs than to pick the best draft interview. I don’t think she falls to the end of the second round though, and Reykjavik would be smart to lock up a position they need and grab early first round value at the bottom of the round.
