Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty ImagesLos Angeles Galaxy coach Bruce Arena has a knack for finding good talent with his late draft picks.

The MLS SuperDraft holds no surprises for Bruce Arena. Although the Los Angeles Galaxy head coach has peers who have been through the process almost as many times (or more) as he has, Arena seems to have a special affinity for unlocking the draft and finding good players, no matter his position in the draft order. Even after the top prospects are off the board and the players remaining are seen by those in the know as much less of a sure thing, Arena can find players ready to step in and play at the professional level.

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In the 2013 version of the SuperDraft, Arena and L.A. have the last position in each of the two rounds. Win a title, get last pick; that's how it works. After occupying the same spot in the draft order last year, picking near the bottom in 2011, and choosing last in 2010, mining the late picks for a possible contributor is old hat for Arena and his staff. If their recent success at doing that is any indication of future results, the last picks of the first and second rounds of this year's SuperDraft will be worth a mental note: There's a strong possibility one or more will play a role in the Galaxy's 2013 season.

In 2010, the Galaxy selected UCLA midfielder Michael Stephens with the last pick of the first round. Stephens went on to make 21 starts in his rookie year, leading all MLS rookies in assists and establishing himself as a quality option in the Galaxy midfield. L.A. knew Stephens well with his having played in the Galaxy youth set up as well as in their backyard at UCLA, and Arena took full advantage of that familiarity by grabbing a very good young player passed over by 15 other teams. Stephens rewarded Arena's faith with a Rookie of the Year-caliber campaign.

2011 wasn't as successful of a draft for Arena, who chose Paolo Cardozo and Hector Jimenez with his two picks in Baltimore. Cardozo was subsequently traded to Chivas USA for David Junior Lopes in March of 2012, while Jimenez is growing into a role with the club. The Cal product made 21 appearances in all competitions in 2012.

Last year, Arena drafted Indiana's Tommy Meyer with the 19th overall selection. Omar Gonzalez's injury absence created a hole that Arena needed to fill, and while Meyer wasn't quite ready for prime time at the start of the season (hence L.A.'s trade of Cardozo for David Junior Lopes), he became L.A.'s preferred center back backup by the end of the season. Meyer started for L.A. down the stretch (filling in for AJ De La Garza alongside the recovered Omar Gonzalez), and was there in the back when the Galaxy beat the Dynamo to win the 2012 MLS Cup title.

Often, Arena's drafting abilities extend beyond the SuperDraft and into the MLS Supplemental Draft. In the 2012 Supplemental Draft, Arena selected the unconventional Bryan Gaul, now Todd Dunivant's heir apparent at left back.

The 2013 Supplemental Draft will take place via conference call on January 22nd; don't be surprised if one of the names chosen by the Galaxy has some significant role to play in their 2013 season.

Most of the time, a low pick in the draft is meant to be a disadvantage, a way to keep successful teams from getting too good at the expense of poorly performing franchises. With the vagaries of choosing talent in the MLS SuperDraft, and the ability of Bruce Arena to find good players there, it’s hardly been that for the Galaxy.

On Thursday we'll find Arena's choice for the next late pick who he thinks could be a quality MLS performer. Is there a Michael Stephens or a Tommy Meyer in this year's SuperDraft?

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