The MLS SuperDraft may be small for the fans, but it's huge for the media

If you've never been to the MLS SuperDraft don't knock it. The player pool isn't as great as it was in the years past, but when it comes to media-related events, it doesn't get much bigger than this.

Major League Soccer has changed the format of the draft several times over the years, but here's what the setup looked like for 2014.

Draft day

10am: Media credentials
11am: Fans start trickling in (DC, PHI and NY)
12pm: Draft class enters followed by some brief announcements
12:15pm: Speech from MLS Commissioner Don Garber and then the draft begins

• Two rounds: 19 picks for each = 38 total selections

4pm: Draft is over. Article time for media. Everyone else is out the door.

While the draft may not mean much to the "average" fan, the media eats it up. This year, after a player was selected they made their way down a catwalk and answered a couple questions from broadcaster Brian Dunseth in front of the entire audience - roughly 2,000 people. Then they walked over to a brand new 2014 Adidas Brazuca match ball and signed it before being greeted by team personnel.

After they greet each other they walk past the media area and into a side room for a quick photo opp before interviews. The players posed with a Brazuca alone, then with the coaches (some with jerseys), before moving on to the interview portion.

Players and coaches are interviewed separately. Players get player questions and coaches get it all.

Most of the players are nervous and don't really know what to say so the really good stuff comes from the coaches. And this is exactly what makes the draft so special.

Think about it. Where else can you get media scrums and one-on-ones with coaches and general managers from every team in MLS? Not only that, after Round 1 commences, Don Garber heads back to the media room and to do a presser of his own.

Questions were thrown at Garber regarding Camilo, TV deals, Edu and much, much more. The @thesoccerdon was out-spoken as always. He wasn't happy about the Camilo situation or the Edu rumors, but he gave the media a chance to grill him for a solid 20-30 minutes. What more could one ask for?

This might seem like the norm for people who've been in the business, but for a first-timer like myself, it couldn't have been a more fulfilling experience.

Is Philadelphia the cleanest city? No. But the people within Major League Soccer and from the different media outlets around the nation made this event something very special. Coaches, GM's. players and MLS front office members ready and willing to drop knowledge on everything you ask of them. Doesn't get much better than that.

The fans were great as well. D.C. United came in first, followed by Philadelphia and New York. Loud chants between the Philadelphia and New York supporters - separated by a mere two feet - gave the room a chilling, invigorating vibe before the draft even started.

Parents brought their kids and friends and family showed up to support the draftees in attendance. It was an amazing turnout filled with people of all ages and an incredible atmosphere for everyone who took part.

For media members, there were stories flying around all over the place. NY Red Bulls head coach Mike Petke addressed the Xavi rumors, Bruce Arena told us why LA needed another center back, John Hackworth talked in detail about Maurice Edu and Don Garber said a lot. A LOT.

Plus coaches and general managers were wheeling and dealing:

• DC United traded No.1 to Philadelphia for No.2 and allocation money
• FC Dallas traded No.5 to Montreal for No.10, allocation money and an int'l roster slot
• Philadelphia traded No.6 overall to Dallas for No.10 and allocation money
• Philadelphia traded No.10 overall to Toronto for No.15 and allocation money
• New England traded No.11 to Colorado for No.12 and No.19
• Montreal traded No.29 overall to DC for int'l roster slot

So while the draft may not be the best or most efficient way to bring talent into this league, the MLS SuperDraft will be around for a very long time.