MLS Expansion Draft & Other Moves

[Herndonite]

An incredible number of goalies are being left unprotected for Friday's expansion draft, plus some other, older big names in MLS:

Tony Meola
Henry Ring
Troy Perkins
Jonny Walker
Scott Garlick
Adin Brown
Jeff Agoos
Preki
Joey Franchino
Ronnie Ekelund
Andy Williams
Igor Simutenkov
Matt Taylor
Alex Zotinca
Evan Whitfield
Orlando Perez


Also, the Washington Post is reporting that DC United is leaving Ryan Nelsen unprotected because the club expects Nelsen to sign with a club in England. A huge loss for DC United.

[MTM]

The GK's alone will mean that both Chivas and Real SL will field solid stoppers, even if Keller stays in the UK. Both teams will be solid all around if they pick only form this list + with their allotment + the draft.

With the expansion, stadium builds and the general health of teh national team, I would say that the foothold is getting deeper. The roots are spreading and maybe soon this sucker will start bearing fruit !!!

[meJonny]

Adin brown to DC! :cheers:

[Herndonite]

Adin brown to DC! :cheers:

Gag! I hate Adin Brown!! Most overrated keeper in the US. All he has going for him is his size.

I'd take Johnny Walker or Henry Ring over Brown.

[Herndonite]

A good preview of what may happen in the draft this afternoon:

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20041118&content_id=19398&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp

They have goalies going early.

[Herndonite]

I'm a bit surprised by the two first round picks:
CDC picks Arturo Torres and SLC picks Andy Williams.

Don't know too much about Torres but I certainly would not have picked the chronically underperforming Williams first.

Paul Broome and Evan Whitfield are now protected.

[Herndonite]

Now this is strange. CDC picked Ezra Hendrickson and DC United protected Ryan Nelsen. Why would they do that if they know he is going to England? My guess is that they got news that the England deal didn't go through and were holding their breaths hoping no one would pick him. As soon as Hendrickson was picked, DC protected Nelsen. At least, that's my guess.

Cool stuff.

[Herndonite]

So far all of CDC picks have been American-born Hispanics, except for Hendrickson who is Caribbean.

Oops, they pick their first gringo in the 10th round: Matt Taylor of KC. A good pick.

So far, I'm more impressed with SLC's picks.

[Herndonite]

The results of the 10-round Expansion Draft follow:

CD Chivas USA: (1) MF Arturo Torres, (2) DF Orlando Perez, (3) DF Ezra Hendrickson, (4) MF Francisco Gomez, (5) MF Antonio de la Torre, (6) FW Matt Taylor, (7) DF Craig Ziadie, (8) FW Jamil Walker, (9) FW Thiago Martins, (10) DF Jeff Stewart

Real Salt Lake: (1) MF Andy Williams, (2) GK DJ Countess, (3) MF Pablo Brenes, (4) MF Brian Kamler, (5) DF Nelson Akwari, (6) FW Chris Brown, (7) DF Matt Behncke, (8) DF Rusty Pierce, (9) MF Kevin Ara, (10) FW Erick Scott

The word on Nelsen being protected is that DC was just covering its bases in the still very unlikely event he doesn't go to England.

[MTM]

Salt Lake came out looking solid from this draft, at least on paper, and we all know that this game is not played on paper, but ... Williams, Kreis & Mathis (possible) makes a very good triangle, with Brenes and Kamler in support and Countess in goal. I don't think they will rest there, so as I see it Real will be solid, if teh coach gets it right especially if Cletus is in the mix.

Chivas it appears, went for offence, and took Walker, de La Torre, Torres, Taylor & Thiago. Rongen will be like a pig in slop picking from these attackers.

Next year will be interesting with teh expanded rosters, reserves and lets not forget the changes to the former A-League, ... I LIKE WHAT I SEE !!!