MLS hope to keep Steve Zakuani in the 'States. Zakuani is expected to go No1 in the MLS Super Draft today, but the former Arsenal trainee is attracting interest from England.

MLS have reportedly guaranteed a contract worth between $150,000 and $200,000 to Zakuani.

Seattle Sounders FC own the rights to the No. 1 pick in the draft, but the expansion team might trade the selection and accumulate additional picks.

Sounders coach Sigi Schmid said the team is impressed by Zakuani's skill set as a forward.

''We had the opportunity to see him play at the combine and also a few times with his university team,'' said Schmid, who led the Columbus Crew to the 2008 MLS title. ''We also had the opportunity to talk to him. He is an impressive young man and obviously a very talented soccer player. He is definitely on our list and right now we hold the number one pick.

''We are looking at who we think is the best athlete, and as an expansion team, we are exploring all possible options. We are talking to teams about possibly trading the number one pick.''