Ahead of every Major League Soccer SuperDraft, league executives prepare as well as possible to select the most promising players for their respective clubs. Teams are more aware of players in their market and the Quakes’ knowledge of programs like Cal and Stanford will naturally exceed that of teams like Wake Forest and Virginia.
Tanner Beason is a player that Quakes GM Jesse Fioranelli and Co. have been targeting for several years. A four-year starter at Stanford, Beason had performed in front of Earthquakes’ staffers numerous times en route to three National Championships.
On draft day, Fioranelli didn’t expect Beason to be available when the Quakes picked at No.