MLS Expansion draft lists released

Here are the lists of players being exposed by all 14 teams in the upcoming MLS Expansion draft for Seattle Sounders FC (these are the players who will be available):

Chivas USA

Chiles, Kraig

Curtin, Jim

Ebert, Eric

Ferreira, Dejair

Flores, Jorge

Hamilton, Anthony

Kennedy, Dan

Mayen, Gerson

Nurse, Roberto

Paladini, Daniel

Parker, Lance

Razov, Ante

Savage, Keith

Suarez, Claudio

Talley, Carey

Thornton, Zach

Vaughn, Lawson

Victorine, Sasha

Wicky, Raphael

Zotinca, Alex

Chicago Fire

Banner, Michael

Brown, C.J.

Carr, Calen

Frankowski, Tomasz

Herron, Andy

Kasiguran, Kai

Kettering, Tyler

King, Stephen

Lowry, Peter

Marmol, Lider

Noble, Nick

Pappa, Marco Pablo

Prideaux, Brandon

Washington, Austin

Woolard, Daniel

 

Colorado Rapids

Burciaga, Jose

Burpo, Preston

Cooke, Terry

Dalby, Greg

DiRaimondo, John

Erpen, Facundo

Grazier, Brian

Harvey, Jordan

Hughes, Justin

Keel, Stephen

Kimura, Kosuke

McManus, Tom

Petke, Mike

Sarkodie, Kwame

Ward, Tim

Zambrano, Cesar

 

Columbus Crew

Burns, Kevin

Elenio, Cory

Evans, Brad

Garey, Jason

Gaven, Eddie

Gruenebaum, Andy

Josten, George

Junge, Ryan

Lenhart, Steven

Miglioranzi, Stefani

Moffat, Adam

Noonan, Pat

Nyazamba, Stanley

Oughton, Duncan

Peterson, Andrew

Pierre-Louis, Ricardo

Plotkin, Brian

Schoeni, Kenny

 

FC Dallas

Burse, Ray

Daniels, Andrew

Davino, Duilio

Dello-Russo, Michael

Pitchkolan, Aaron

Rowland, Jeff

Sikora, Victor

Wadsworth, Spencer

Wagenfuhr, David

Watson, Jamie

Wileman, Chase

 

D.C. United

Carroll, Jeff

Carroll, Pat

Cordeiro, Ryan

Crayton, Louis

Doe, Francis

Dyachenko, Rod

Gallardo, Marcelo

Kirk, Quavas

Koroma, Ibrahim

Martinez, Gonzalo

Mediate, Domenic

Miller, Ryan

Olsen, Ben

Peralta, Gonzalo

Thompson, Craig

Thorpe, James

Vide, Joseph

Wells, Zach

Zaher, Michael

 

Houston Dynamo

Alcaraz, Johnny

Ashe, Corey

Barrett, Wade

Brown, Kyle

Caig, Tony

Chabala, Michael

Hatzke, Nick

Hayden, John Michael

Ianni, Patrick

Jaqua, Nate

Mulrooney, Richard

Onstad, Pat

Ustruck, Erik

Waibel, Craig

Waller, Corbin

Wondolowski, Chris

Wondolowski, Stephen

 

Kansas City Wizards

Hartman, Kevin

Hohlbein, Aaron

Kraus, Michael

Kronberg, Eric

Marquess, Matt

McKenzie, Rauwshan

Morsink, Kurt

Pardo, Boris

Pizarro, Nelson

Pore, Ryan

Thompson, Abe

Trujillo, Ivan

Wahl, Tyson

Watson, Lance

 

Los Angeles Galaxy

Adzemian, Vardan

Alamo, Charles

Allen, Ely

Barlow, Jeremy

Cronin, Steve

Dominguez, Eduardo

Franchino, Joe

Gavin, Michael

Kirovski, Jovan

Klein, Chris

Munoz, Mike

Randolph, Michael

Saunders, Josh

Tudela, Josh

Vagenas, Peter

Valentin, Julian

Wicks, Josh

 

New England Revolution

Angulo, Jose

Badilla, Gabriel

Brill, Samuel

Flood, Gary

Germanese, Joe

Knighton, Brad

Manzonelli, Brandon

Matamoros, Mauricio

Phelan, Pat

Smith, Khano

Thompson, Wells

Tierney, Chris

Tyler, Brandon

Warren, Doug

Zapata, Argenis Fernandez

 

New York Red Bulls

Borman, Danleigh

Echeverry, Oscar

Gilkerson, John

Jimenez, Diego

Kljestan, Gordon

Leitch, Chris

Magee, Mike

Mbuta, Andongcho

Mendes, Carlos

Palacio, Michael

Parke, Jeff

Patterson, Caleb

Pietravallo, Juan

Roth, David

Touray, Sainey

Wolyniec, John

 

Real Salt Lake

Besagno, Nik

Cutler, Kenny

Deuchar, Kenneth

Horst, David

Joy, Ian

Kirby, Dustin

Kovalenko, Dema

Mathis, Clint

Nunez, Tino

Reiman, Kevin

Reynish, Kyle

Sturgis, Nathan

Tennelle, Brennan

Williams, Andy

 

San Jose Earthquakes

Arce, Miguel

Ayres, Jay Michael

Cunliffe, John

Denton, Eric

Ghebru, Michael

Glinton, Gavin

Grabavoy, Ned

Gray, Kelly

Gustavson, Michael

Hatzke, Matt

O'Brien, Ronnie

Riley, James

Roberts, Jamil

Smarte, Adam

Somma, Davide

 

Toronto FC

Attakora-Gyan, Nana

Elkinson, Kilian

Freeman, Hunter

Gala, Gabe

Gaudet, Derek

Melo, Joey

Ricketts, Rohan

Rosenlund, Tyler

Ruiz, Carlos

Smith, Jarrod

Smith, Johann

Sutton, Greg

Velez, Marco

 

What do you think of the lists? What are the biggest surprises? Who do yo see Seattle taking with its 10 picks? Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[John]

The interesting part of the lists is who isn't on the list. If you get a chance please post.

[Joe]

how does it work with players that are on loan to us (I.E Marco Pappa on the Fire?). Can Seattle take him?

[ManicMessiah]

Stammler left unprotected?

[Cam]

NO ROBBIE ROGERS ON COLUMBUS!? he must be going to europe then

[Nic]

Nik Basango anyone?

Too bad Steve Shak isn't on the list...

[Tim F.]

I expect the Red Bulls to lose Parke but they may lose Magee, Jimenez or Mbuta.

[Nic]

Note: this is the list of the players left unprotected. Of course Robbie Rogers isn't going to be allowed to be picked. Stammler too.

[ManicMessiah]

Ok, Thanks Nic.

[Joe]

Gaven though. hes gone

[Nick]

Can't believe Osorio left Parke unprotected instead of Boyens or Goldthwaite. Wow.

[KC]

Thats a list of guys available in the draft not who is protected....so Stammler & Rogers are protected.

[JL]

Who is "Mauricio Matamoros" for the Revolution?

[gaucho]

ManicMessiah & Cam: This is the unprotected list. Everyone that can be drafted is here. So Stammler and Robbie Rodgers are protected.

[Oliver]

These lists are the unprotected players which is why Rogers is not listed. Gaven is a surprise on the Crew list.

[Oliver]

NE: Mauricio Matamoros = Mauricio Castro

[MasterShake]

Why is Osorio protecting Conway,Boss,Boyens and Cichero? and not protecting Jeff Parke and Jimenez??

[Tim F.]

eddie gaven unprotected? that would be one of the best pickups.

[kebzach]

Chicago's list of protected players (automatically or by choice) is thus:

1. Blanco
2. McBride
3. Rolfe
4. Pause
5. Conde
6. Soumare (GA)
7. Segares
8. Dasan Robinson (wow)
9. Busch
10. Mapp
11. Thorrington
12. Nyarko (GA)
13. Diego G (retired)

[John]

The New England guy in Mauricio Castro.

[Mike]

KC's list of protected players.

M Davy Arnaud
F Adam Cristman
D Jimmy Conrad
M Herculez Gomez
D Michael Harrington
M Jack Jewsbury
D Jonathan Leathers
F Claudio Lopez (I)
M Carlos Marinelli (I)
M Kevin Souter (I)
F Josh Wolff
D Chance Myers (GA)
M Roger Espinoza (GA)
M Kerry Zavagnin (retired)

[Chrös]

Razov, Ante
Brown, C.J. or Pappa, Marco Pablo
Noonan, Pat
Vide, Joseph
Ashe, Corey
Wahl, Tyson
Smith, Khano
Parke, Jeff
Joy, Ian
Ricketts, Rohan

[John]

In most of the expansion drafts, the cheap good players are pure gold. Even though Gaven is available from the Crew, Seatle may be more interested in Evans or Moffat who make peanuts.

[Tim K]

HOW CAN THE FIRE JUST HAND AWAY PAPPA!!! stupid!

[Justin]

LA Galaxy Protected List
David Beckham – Midfielder (International Player)
Edson Buddle – Forward
Landon Donovan – Forward
Sean Franklin – Defender
Alan Gordon – Forward
Ante Jazic – Defender
Bryan Jordan – Forward
Eddie Lewis – Midfielder
Brandon McDonald – Midfielder
Alvaro Pires – Midfielder (International Player)
Troy Roberts – Defender

Additionally, forwards Israel Sesay and the newly-signed Tristan Bowen were automatically protected as members of the Generation adidas program.

[JL]

Knowing nothing about the contracts of the following players, I think these would be the guys I would take who can either make the squad or be used as trade bait depending on who else Seattle has in the pipeline. Typically my idea is to take young guys who have shown flashes of potential, or back ups who could be serviceable squad players and some leadership

Flores, Jorge
Pappa, Marco Pablo
Joy, Ian
Thompson, Wells
Thompson, Abe
Barrett, Wade
Cooke, Terry
Evans, Brad
Pitchkolan, Aaron
Randolph, Michael

[Amit]

Seattle is going to burn someone with at least one high price pick.

[Ethan]

Why do these teams protect their designated player? Seattle isn't likely to trade for a designated player when they already have Keller and Ljungberg on their salary cap. So if you make the DP available, you can keep one other player that you like...right?

[undrafted]

Zotinca, Pappa (or King or Woolard?), DiRaimondo, Evans (or Lenhart), Pitchkolan, Pat Carroll (or Martinez), Ashe, Wahl, Klein, Badilla, Sturgis (or Kovalenko), O'Brien?, Johann Smith

my quick picks from each team. I have a hunch Chicago has a hidden gem or two from their reserve squad. I didn't initially see Pappa listed. Colorado has some decent defenders (Keel, Harvey). Funny how KC starts Wahl over Hohlbein then leaves them both unprotected. Chicago protects Robinson over Prideaux. Colorado protects Peterson over Cooke. I feel vindicated on those 2. Pitchkolan is the no-brainer of the expansion draft. I'd focus on getting guys with trade value or guys that can be cut in preseason. Houston and RSL have some nice players available.

I know Seattle can't take someone from EVERY team. Chivas, DC, and LA might be teams to pass over. San Jose has some unknowns that require scouting. Is O'Brien willing to move yet again? Play on turf? I'd ask first before he retired on me.

[TFC4Life]

Can't believe TFC left Rohan Ricketts unprotected, he was in my opinion our most consistent midfielder and is a fan favorite. I would be pissed if we lost him.

[JD]

based on the lists above, I'm going out on a limb here and predicting that Seattle will not be a good side next year.

[Graham]

Interesting that KC is protecting Kevin Souter

[kebzach]

Why do these teams protect their designated player? Seattle isn't likely to trade for a designated player when they already have Keller and Ljungberg on their salary cap. So if you make the DP available, you can keep one other player that you like...right?

Posted by: Ethan

________________________________________

If you expose your DP then you create a situation where Seattle takes that player on behalf of another team that they arrange a trade with.

[kebzach]

how does it work with players that are on loan to us (I.E Marco Pappa on the Fire?). Can Seattle take him?

Posted by: Joe

_________________________________________

Yes. I say yes because DC was told they had to protect their players that were on loan from the USL, otherwise they'd be fair game to be picked. Obviously that ruling would have to apply to Pappa too.

[kahlva]

I've seen different lists... For example on New York:

Cichero AND
Rojas are both unprotected.

But not on your list, Ives?

Are there people missing/left out?

[Bob]

Seattle should pick up Pat Onstad from houston. That would be funny. Unless he is retiring. They could pick up some good trades from him. I bet houston would give up either DeRo or Ching back for Pat.

[scaryice]

The NY list is impossible, because it means 14 protected players.

[undrafted]

names I didn't notice right away - Noonan, Flores, Parke (& the whole Red Bull list). We know salaries for most of these guys, but not contract length.

I think teams should be forced to protect their DP.

[jane]

Keep in mind, folks, that they have to protect 3 SI players, which is why some of the DP's are being protected.

[DemonJuice]

There is at least 1 DP unprotected: Gallardo.

[Cindy]

i'm really mad that Parke wasn't protected!

[Drew]

I'm disappointed to see Pappa available. I would have left Mapp unprotected instead.

[J]

Prideaux and Jaqua pretty much stated their desire to play for Seattle before the season began. I think they are the most safe bets to make.

[eric]

What are the rules on multiple players from one team? Because there are 4 good picks from Columbus - Evans ($33k), Moffat ($18k), Gaven ($167), and Noonan ($175k). And I still think Jason Garey is going to score goals in the league.

Is Pappa really available? Fire fans are going to go nuts. I'd take him in a heartbeat at $35k.

Evans, Ashe, and Pappa would be an awesome trio for $100k!

In general, there seem to be many more quality MF's than defenders, so I bet a lot of guys are going to be drafted to be dealt later. I guess you'd have to call Ian Joy or Wade Barrett the best defensive help, but there are a lot of young cheap midfielders I'd snatch first.

[Darkman]

Diego is retiring so why would you protect him and not Pappa? Doesn't make sense.

[Dan]

undrafted, Ronnie O'Brien hates field turf. Was one of the reasons he was injury prone in Toronto and one of the reasons he was left unexposed during SJ's expansion draft.

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Wow, JoSmith, Ricketts, Sutton (whos not going anywhere), Rosenlund, Gala and Attakora. Some good picks there...

[kebzach]

Diego is retiring so why would you protect him and not Pappa? Doesn't make sense.

Posted by: Darkman

________________________________________

Fire didn't protect Diego. I have him listed as the #13 guy just because he was not exposed. He is indeed retiring. Fire protected 11, plus Nyarko was automatically protected as a GA player.

[scaryice]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_MLS_Expansion_Draft

I have been updating that page with the list of protected players as well as the unprotected.

The lists here (which were sent out by MLS) seem to have a couple errors. Boss and Cichero were obviously not protected, but are missing. So that likely means one of Kandji or Rojas was their last man protected, and one of them isn't.

Angula and Matamoros for NE aren't even on their roster as far as I know.

So MLS needs to check their lists a bit better.

[Mike]

Interesting that KC is protecting Kevin Souter
Posted by: Graham | November 24, 2008 at 06:28 PM
______________________
Not really.

1. The Wizards have to protect 3 of their 4 internationals and Souter is more valuable than Trujillo or Marinelli.

2. Souter started the last 6 games, including playoffs, and had 1 goal. He was definitely worth protecting as an international.

[Joe]

hopefully they dont take him and take Stephen King. He is a good player and only makes 12K a year. This situation reminds me alot of Ivan Guerrero last year with Osorio not liking him so he left him unprotected and hes gone. I cant believe he is unprotected.

[Jules]

LA left both of their crap GK's unprotected. Does anyone think they'll be offering Seattle cash to take them off their hands and hope Keller never gets injured?

[Doom Boy]

Guessing salary, and basing it on what I've watched the past two years, these would be my 10

Calen Carr (Fire)
Adam Moffatt (Columbus)

Carey Talley or Sasha Victorine (Chivas)
Rod Dyachenko (DC United)
Ronnie O'Brien (SJ)
Wells Thompson (NE)

Facundo Erpen or Jose Burciaga (Colorado)
Patrick Ianni (Houston)
Jeff Parke (Red Bulls)
Nana Atakora (TFC)

[Tim F.]

I would take

1. Marco Pappa (thanks Chicago)
2. Ian Joy (D)
3. Jeff Parke (D)
4. Jim Curtin (D)
5. Jose Burciaga (D)
6. Eddie Gaven (M)
7. Wells Thompson (M)
8. Ned Grabavoy (M)
9. Carlos Ruiz or Johann Smith
10. Nate Jaqua (F)
11. Zach Wells G.

[Ethan]

kebzach: thanks for the answer. I hadn't thought of that, but it is definitely true.

[jevanvoo]

after the whole Lider Marmol saga between NY and Chi, they leave his unprotected

[garg0yle]

For Seattle to consider:

NE: C. Tierney (LB), K. Smith (LM/F), P. Phelan (DM/CB)
NY: J. Parke (RB), C. Leitch (RB), J. Pietravallo (DM), M. Mbuta (RM)
CHI: M. Pappa (M), B. Prideaux (RB), S. King (DM)
CLM: E. Gaven (RM), A. Moffat (CM), B. Evans (M/F)
TOR: R. Ricketts (M), Jo. Smith (LM), C. Ruiz (F)
DCU: L. Crayton (GK), M. Gallardo (CM), G. Martinez (LB)
KC: K. Hartman (GK), T. Wahl (CB)

HOU: N. Jaqua (F), C. Ashe (LM), W. Barrett (LB), C. Waibel (RB), R. Mulrooney (RB)
DAL: A. Pitchkolan (CB)
LAG: C. Klein (RB/RM), M. Randolph (LB)
CHV: A. Razov (F), L. Vaughn (RB), J. Flores (LM), S. Victorine (M)
COL: T. Cooke (LM), K. Kimura (RB), T. McManus (F), M. Petke (CB)
RSL: A. Williams (M), I. Joy (LB), D. Kovalenko (DM)
SJ: R. O'Brien (RM)

Given that they can only choose 10, and only 1 per team:

1. R. O'Brien - SJ
2. N. Jaqua - Hou
3. M. Pappa - Chi
4. A. Pitchkolan - Dal
5. C. Tierney - NE
6. R. Ricketts - Tor
7. J. Flores - Chivas
8. A. Moffatt - Colum
9. I. Joy - RSL
10. C. Klein - LA

[Tim F.]

Only 10? Then

I would take

1. Marco Pappa (thanks Chicago)
2. Ian Joy (D)
3. Jeff Parke (D)
4. Eddie Gaven (M)
5. Carlos Ruiz or Johann Smith
6. Nate Jaqua (F)
7. Zach Wells G.

and three of the following four:
1. Jose Burciaga (D)
2. Jim Curtin (D)
3. Wells Thompson (M)
4. Ned Grabavoy (M)

[Ossington Mental Youth]

Dont think Ricketts will leave, he loves Toronto BUT could play in Europe for more, an option i can see him practicing should they draft him (dunno if they will).
More concerned with JoSmith possibly leaving

[zach]

how does it work? Can they just snatch anyone they want, or do they need to factor in costs? How many per team. Well, without knowing anything but the fact that there is a list, ante razov stands out the first to me as someone getting snatched up.... Someone, Ives, please explain more.

[Carl Setterlund]

Re: scaryice

Matamoros is Mauricio Castro, a pretty skilled winger. Good dead ball skills. Decent service. Not great defense. Tiny guy. Took over corners and free kicks when Ralston went out. Could be worth it for Seattle.

Angulo is Ives' boy Jose Angulo, the teenage prodigy from New Jersey that the Revs put a discovery claim on and everybody in New York got pissy about it. Talented kid, but I heard he's been hurt and he got fat and skipped a couple practices so New England isn't as high on him anymore.

[Ethan]

With Keller an expensive signing, I don't think that Seattle will take a goalie unless they think they can organize a trade (which LA might be already talking to them about).

If they take Chris Klein, LA will be overjoyed.

If they take Carlos Ruiz, Toronto will rejoice.

I think Jorge Flores is a good choice. Cheap and young are a good combination.

Was it determined that you could only pick one from a team? I thought it was more than that.

[cbr]

i'd pick up Jorge Flores if i were them...the guy is super young and shows great potential.

Burciaga will sure up the LB spot

[garg0yle]

Ethan-

1 per team. See MLS site.
"Seattle may not claim more than one player from any given team in MLS"

http://web.mlsnet.com/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20081124&content_id=206683&vkey=pr_mls&fext=.jsp

[RedLine55]

The fact that Lider Marmol is unprotected is, I think, just hilarious and I like it. I DO NOT like the fact that my projected 09 MVP, Marco Pappa, IS ALSO unprotected. I want to believe that the Fire F.O. know something that we obviously do not and know that SFC won't pick him up. If that's not the case...

who wants to make "SAVE PAPPA" t-shirts with me?

[garg0yle]

Also, "Seattle will have the right to renegotiate a drafted player's salary (either up or down) without having to place such player on waivers or giving his previous Team a right of first refusal."

This means overpaid-but-still-good players are not a bad thing for Seattle (e.g. Klein) b/c Seattle can push the salary down.

[Blake]

Brad Evans/Eddie Gaven from CLB...either one is a coup. I personally want Evans - Gaven's preferred position is Freddie's anyway.

Flores would be legit, but unnecessary. I would dig around for defense mostly. Pappa is a gift. Burse would be a good choice for GK of the future.

Anyone on Houston would help. I fear it will be Jaqua because of his WA ties, but I think either the mad potential of Ashe or the leadership of Barrett or Waibel would be better.

[Supsam]

Haha as much as i love my quakes its awesome that we do not have that much depth this year. The only blow to our team is if Ronnie O' Brian gets picked but i doubt if a turf team like Seattle would go for the often knee injured guy. Awesome!

[CD]

Some decent players available.
Columbus decision will be tough.
Do they choose high salaried Eddie Gaven or go with youngsters Moffat or Evans.

[Steve]

Umm, Parke isn't protected for the same reason I wouldn't have bothered with Conway. Think RBNY is gambling that Seattle won't take a player that will have to sit out games to start the season. They'll need immediate contributions. That said, with the playoff run what is the suspension down to? 4 more games?

[ivanov]

Given that Maykel Galindo is protected, I would expect Seattle to make a pick that caters to Chivas's needs in order to trade for him. I'm still convinced that they are interested in him, and he would definitely bring a dynamic component to their offense.

Otherwise, I definitely see them picking Pappa. Another interesting pick would be Quavas Kirk from DC.

[scott47a]

From a Seattle perspective, I would encourage those of you looking at the lists to think defense -- I think that is where the team's emphasis in the expansion draft is going to be.

I wouldn't be surprised to see them take Wade Barrett ahead of Jaqua from Houston and Brandon Prideaux ahead of Pappa from Chicago.

A lot depends on contracts and salaries, of course. Some of the guys exposed are actually out of contract and free anyway, like Gonzalo Martinez in DC, who is probably headed back to S. America.

[victor]

I like Eric's idea, scoop up Ashe, Pappa, Evans. Jorge Flores is so gone too. Grabavoy, Leitch, Kovalenko, Pitchkolan, Vide, Abe Thompson, you've got a halfway decent line up.

[kebzach]

Guessing salary, and basing it on what I've watched the past two years, these would be my 10

Calen Carr (Fire)

Posted by: Doom Boy |

________________________________________

I doubt that a player with a torn ACL possibly playing on turf in 2009 would be a good pick for Seattle.

[kebzach]

after the whole Lider Marmol saga between NY and Chi, they leave his unprotected

Posted by: jevanvoo

__________________________________________

Dude couldn't get on the field in Chicago and when he did he was REALLY REALLY BAD. Really.

6 figure guys like that can't be protected.

[Tomr]

This is not slim pickings by any means. Lots of very strong players on the list. Watch out for Seattle next season. I am wagering now that they reach the playoffs with the right coach (Sigi?)

[Jason]

I see a lot of quality RW's out there: Gaven, Noonan, O'Brien, and Ricketts all come to mind.

I think teams are betting with Ljundberg in the fold, Seattle won't pick another RW, especially if there is a high price tag.

[NateP]

RE: Angulo & Matamoros

As noted above Matamoros is really Mauricio Castro. Speculation is that because filed the Discovery claim on Angulo they still held his rights and would have to protect them/expose them. Same deal with Argenis Fernandez who spent most of the year on loan to Alajuelense back in Costa Rica.

[Aaron]

Given Ljunberg & Nyassi's service from the wings i would try and grab Jaqua or Deuchar from RSL - Great aerial strikers that know how to score with their melon.....

[Warren]

NOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! MARCO PAPPA!!!!!

[Jonny R]

Only one player per team can be picked, right?

Hmm...

Burse (Gotta have an understudy for
Keller)

Barrett
Mendes
Wahl
Prideaux

Moffat
Wells Thompson
Sturgis
Kirk

Johann Smith

They don't need to pick Jaqua; his deal to return to Houston stipulated that he'd be free to sign w/ Seattle this year.

That gives you a core of those 11 guys (counting Jaqua) plus Le Toux, Sanna Nyassi, Keller, and Ljungberg... which equals a sturdy, reliable veteran defense, and a young midfield/attack with some upside.

I'm also assuming they intend to use Ljungberg on the wing. If they move his creaky old legs to the middle of the pitch, I'd take Gaven over Moffat.

[MtclrMsv]

Hope Eddie Gaven likes rain.

[nico]

If I were Seattle, (not having looked at salaries etc.) I'd seriously look at...

Jaqua, Castro (ie Matamoros), Kimura, Velez, Gonzalo Martinez, Burciaga, Doe, Badilla

Experienced young defense and some attacking options, imo.

[Brant]

No more than 1 player/team can go.

If The Crew lose Gaven (and his high contract number) they plug in Ekpo. Lose Evans or Moffat? Plug in the other one, or Pat Noonan. Lose Noonan? He might retire, since he specifically wanted Columbus to be in the Midwest b/c of his wife's family. Lose Garey? He's not a starter, though he's probably in the succession plan once Moreno moves on (he's getting older, y'know).

The Crew are pretty well-positioned to weather this one.

[Mike]

I'm almost sure that we (The Fire) are gonna lose Pappa and that makes me incredibly mad. Pappa over Robinson any day.

[Michael F.]

I could see us losing Magee or Parke. I pray they take Leitch.

[kshep]

Anyway you look at Ruiz isn't a part of TFC next year.. Seattle picks him up or TFC tosses him him the reject bin.

Rickett's walks from the MLS if Seattle takes him, plain and simple. If he's not playing for Carver he's not playing in our league.

[smokeminside]

My guess is that Seattle will not pick up a goalie...the usl sounders have a great young one in Chris Eylander.

[Fumar]

Dear Seattle,
Marco Pappa is not really that good. He can only play 2 or 3 minutes at the end of a game (according to Hamlett's subs) and he has family in Chicago, which means he will whine in Seattle the way Osorio did in Chicago. On top of all this brandon prideaux is one of the best, fastest, most technically sound and offensively inclined right backs you could ask for. I'd really hate to seem him go, but alas some one must.

Heart,
Helpful Fire fan.

p.s. Denis is an idiot.

[Matt]

Seattle Picks:
1. Vaughn or Zotinca from Chivas - good players whom spent much of the year hurt.
2. Ray Burse from Dallas - good prospect whom will eventually replace Keller.
3. Mike Petke - Colorado, solid defender. Other possibilities are Terry Cooke or Greg Dalby from Colorado. Aging but brilliant English crosser or top prospect.
4. Pat Noonan from Columbus - I don't care how much he costs. He is a successful, American striker.
5. Craig Waibel, Wade Barrent or Patrick Ianni from Houston. The former two can produce now and Ianni is a good prospect. I'd go with Waibel.
6. Abe Thompson - KC - Another good, young, cheap American striker.
7. Chris Klein - LA - One of the steadier players on LA this year. A bit long in the tooth but still productive and versitile.
8. Chris Tierney - New England. Natural lefties are rare.
9. Jeff Parke - NY - Avoiding the steroid jokes, he's a good player if you leave him in the center of a four man defence. He is not a fullback as Osorio kept trying. He'd make a good tandem with Petke.
10. Ned Grabovoy - SJ - Talented distributer.

So you have:
FW - Noonan / Thompson / La Toux
Mid - Lungburg, Grabavoy (when Lungburg is hurt), Klein, Nyassi
Def - Tierney, Parke, Petke, Vaughn/Waibel
Goal - Keller, Burse

Not a bad start. THe defense should be solid and the offense has hope.

Need a left mid and a defensive mid. The latter will be easy to get, the former is tougher.

[kpugs]

How ironic that Lider Marmol is available.

I'll be praying neither Parke nor Woly get taken.

[metrostar 4 life]

I'm surprised Rohan Ricketts, Khano Smith, Marco Pappa, and a couple of others to be on the list

[Frimp]

I wont try to predict who seattle will take, for all i know they've only got freddie right now...but - leaving out salaries and health assessments which im not researching for this exercise - my first-pass list might be, if i was seattle:
Ante Razov
Eddie Gaven
Pat Noonan
Duilio Davino
Corey Ashe
Kevin Hartman
Diego Jimenez
Wells Thompson
Dema Kovalenko
Jeff Parke

other thoughts, if i were to drop a few $$$ players here and build: Ricketts, Victorine, Carr, Lenhart, Klein

[Frimp]

thats right i'd ignore mls rules and take whoever i want and play a 3-4-2-1 like this son:

Razov
Thompson Noonan
Ashe Ljungberg Gaven
Dema!
Jimenez Davino Parke
Hartman

[SonicDeathMonkey]

After thinking Eddie Gaven would be a lock, I realize Seattle has their DP playing his position already. Also folks, keep in mind if Seattle takes a developmental player, they are required to bump them to a senior contract, which will probably discourage them from taking a flyer on some of them.

[firefan06]

Fumar - don't forget about Klopas. He probably had more say in this decision than Hamlett.

I hope the people on here talking about defense are correct and Seattle goes for Prideaux. Losing Pappa would be worse than Osorio letting Guerrero go last year.

[Blake]

The more I think about it, the more I think Brad Evans is by far the most salivating option. He's young, affordable, and worked the middle for the Cup/Shield winners. Gaven doesn't fit the way Evans would and would cost a bundle more.

[TFC4Life]

Can't believe TFC left Rohan Ricketts unprotected, he was in my opinion our most consistent midfielder and is a fan favorite. I would be pissed if we lost him.

[Chris]

CHI M. Pappa ($33k)
CLB E. Gaven ($165k)
HOU C. Ashe ($33k)
NY J. Parke ($58k)
NE W. Thompson ($33k)
DC J. Vide (19k)
SJ M. Riley ($33k)
TFC M. Velez ($60k)
KC K. Moorsink ($33k)
CHV A. Razov ($258)
Total $725,000 based on 2008 salaries.

[fenel]

Here's my team for the sounders fc next year

-----------Razov---------Jaqua-------

Ljungberg-------Guallardo---------O'brien

-----------------------Olsen------------------

Zotnica------Davino-------Erpen------Talley

------------------Kennedy-------------------

I can only imagine what would happen in that midfield.

[fenel]

Here's my team for the sounders fc next year

-----------Razov---------Jaqua-------

Ljungberg-------Guallardo---------O'brien

-----------------------Olsen------------------

Zotnica------Davino-------Erpen------Talley

------------------Kennedy-------------------

I can only imagine what would happen in that midfield.