Coaches and technical directors from around the league suggested this edition of the MLS SuperDraft would offer a few surprises. They were right. The first three picks – including number one overall selection Andrew Farrell – held to form, but Toronto FC's decision to trade down twice in the first round touched off some chaos as teams tried to wade through a draft pool with little to separate most of the players.

As usual, teams did their best to acquire players to address their own needs and strengthen their squad for the upcoming campaign. For the most part, they succeeded. Read on to learn more about how the first round unfolded:

Kyle McCarthy

New England traded the fourth overall pick and an undisclosed amount of allocation money for the right to select the former Cardinals standout. Farrell climbed to the top of most draft boards after emerging as one of the nation's top center backs. His presence and his versatility will give him every chance to make the leap to the next level with a Revolution side in need of defensive reinforcements.

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Chivas USA coach José Luis Sánchez Solá revealed earlier in the week that he planned to make this silky playmaker the second overall pick. Alvarez's cultured approach to the games, his familial ties to CD Guadalajara and his Los Angeles roots make him the ideal selection for a club trying to rebuild its image under yet another new regime.

The Canadian youth international midfielder climbed up draft boards across the league after his impressive performances at the MLS Player Combine, and he was known quantity for the Reds brass. His tidy play in central midfield serves as a youthful complement to likely starting options Júlio César and Torsten Frings.

The Whitecaps shipped the 10th overall pick and an undisclosed amount of allocation money to Toronto FC for the right to select the speedy Gambian forward. Vancouver coach Martin Rennie said he wanted to add more pace to his side ahead of the upcoming campaign after Dane Richards left for English Championship side Burnley FC. Manneh isn't a finished product, but he does help to fill the void.

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The decision to trade Omar Cummings to Houston in December created a vacancy up front for the Rapids. Colorado will hope this speedy Jamaican forward can replicate Cummings' success and slide into Oscar Pareja's 4-3-3 setup.

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Vancouver underscored their emphasis on team speed by choosing this Combine standout. Hurtado could feature up top or out wide for a Whitecaps side with options on attack as it weighs the futures of Kenny Miller and Barry Robson.

Zimmerman featured near the top of most draft boards prior to the draft, but the events of the day sent him sliding down the pecking order a bit. His new home makes sense, though: FCD relishes big, physical defenders and the US youth international fits the bill. The only downside for this pick at the moment is that FCD must wait at least a month for Zimmerman to recover from a pubic bone injury before integrating him into the squad.

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Smith (R) offers a potential answer to the Impact's glaring need for width. His game – pace and service from the left flank – improves a Montréal side that operated too narrowly last season. If Smith adjusts to the professional level quickly, he could create space for Felipe and recent loan signing Andrea Pisanu operate more freely in the center of the park.

Crew coach Robert Warzycha cited Finley's prolific college career as one of the primary reasons for this selection. The frequent substitute and Hermann Trophy finalist provides a welcome contrast to Jairo Arrieta and Federico Higuaín in the final third with his hold up play and his predatory instincts inside the penalty area.

Toronto FC sent this pick to Sounders in exchange for the 16th selection and an undisclosed amount of allocation money. Seattle swooped for a player that enters MLS with questions about his position at the next level. Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid said he hasn't decided yet whether Zavaleta will feature in defense or as a striker, but he noted that he did like the Hoosier’s defensive qualities.