MLS Expansion Draft 2011: Dix Joueurs Pour Montréal
by William Conwell on Nov 22, 2011 4:45 PM PST
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Pardon my French.
With less than a day until the Montreal Impact make their selections in the Major League Soccer Expansion Draft, the predictions on who will be packing their bags for Quebec are coming from all over so I thought I would toss my hat into the ring.
As the quality on MLS rosters continues to grow year after year, the league’s new teams find themselves with a wealth of options from which to build their team. Like the Whitecaps and Timbers before them, the Impact are sure to throw some curve balls at us but as the lone team selecting players Montreal can be assured of getting their men. Keeping them will be another story.
The full list of who is protected and who isn't can be found here.
The Risky Guys
San Jose Earthquakes - M - $336,000
Convey is an experienced player with quality to spare, who can provide from the left side of midfield. Fresh from a falling out with coach Frank Yallop, Convey would benefit from a change of scenery.
The rest of the picks are after the jump.
Colorado Rapids - D - $67,000
One of Colorado’s most dependable and underrated players, there are rumors that Kimura is looking to return to Japan. However, if he can be convinced to stay, he is a proven back in MLS that is capable of getting forward and serving in a good cross.
The Young Guys
Chivas USA - D - $132,000
Valentine is young, capable, and a real surprise to be left unprotected. As he was graduated from the Generation Adidas program this season, Valentine is somewhat pricey for an unproven defender but looked good in the 25 appearances he made for Chivas in 2011.
FC Dallas - D/M - $53,000
A defensive midfielder in college, Warshaw has potential as both a midfielder or defender and, at only 53k a year, is a bargin in the process. Warshaw filled in capably for FC Dallas this year and could mature into a solid squad player in the future.
Austin Da Luz
DC United - M - $82,000
Of all the young and cheap central midfielders available in the expansion draft, Da Luz is probably the most attacking minded. From the Peter Lowry school of players that everyone seems to agree should be starting for someone, just not their team, Da Luz seems to be on the edge of breaking out, and an opportunity to grab a starting spot with the Impact may be just what he needs.
Houston Dynamo - M - $123,000
At only 21 Danny Cruz’s industry and skill on the right wing were a large part of Houston’s late year form, including their unsuccessful bid for the MLS Cup. Known to Timbers fans equally for his hard hit on Mike Chabala and his impressive long distance goal over Troy Perkins, the Impact would do well to pick up Cruz.
LA Galaxy - M - $79,000
Michael Stephens is a skillful winger who is still young and cheap despite playing a big role with the Galaxy for the last two years. With Landon Donovan pushed out of the forward line and into the midfield, Stephens did not see much time as a starter late this year for the Galaxy, but on any other team he likely would have been on the field.
The Journeymen
Sporting Kansas City - D - $137,000
This year was a rough one for Michael Harrington. Battling injury and losing his starting spot despite some solid play early in the season saw him made surplus to the requirements of SKC. If Montreal were to pick him up they would find themselves with a solid fullback who has shown he is capable of starting in MLS.
Real Salt Lake - M - $42,000
One thing that will make moving to Quebec easier? Speaking French. In addition to his linguistic abilities, Alexandre is a powerful athlete, similar to James Marcelin in style, who is also capable of scoring from the midfield as evinced by his one goal o the week nominee this year. Alexandre has lined up everywhere from defender to forward for Real Salt Lake and his versatility would be a real bonus for the expansion Impact.
New England Revolution - F - $42,000
Young but determined to make it as a professional soccer player, Guy can play up top or on the wing. Playing late in the season for the New England Revolution Guy showed his class and, despite being protected behind Rajko Lekic, has the potential to be a very productive forward for the team that gives him a chance.
New York Red Bulls - G - $80,000
A onetime Canadian national team keeper, Sutton has in turns inspired and horrified his supporters. While not someone the Impact will want to rely on to start, Sutton is a capable backup whose Canadian citizenship will make him an attractive pick for the Impact.
The MLS Expansion Draft will take place at noon tomorrow.
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Think we get in on this?
Last year we were wheeling and dealing during both drafts think we get in on any trades tomorrow? I’d love to pick up some of these guys for like a 3rd or 4th round pick in college draft
It seems like a good possibility to me.
I would not be surprised if there was more to the deal for Ryan Pore than has been revealed.
However, I think the thing the team most needs is allocation money to complete some of the deals that keep getting hinted at.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Nov 22, 2011 5:32 PM PST up reply actions
I hope so
There are some good unprotected players out there. Am I missing something with Valentin? Sure, he isn’t cheap, but he would be a great upside pickup for the defense, which is exactly what the team needs. Besides, Gilbert wasn’t coming cheap, and they had room for him. That said, it’s going to be hard to convince Montreal to trade him(and the expansion pick he represents) for one of the Timbers’ unproven players.
Say what you want about America, thirteen bucks still gets you a hell of a lot of mice!
Valentin
As I recall he looked good for Chivas when he got on the field early in the season. Like a lot of young players he struggled with injury and fitness later on in the season, but I see him being a solid player for the future. Chivas made some really strange decisions with regards to who they protected and I think they are virtually assured to lose someone tomorrow. Beyond Valentin, Blair Gavin and Michael Lahoud are both also young, talented, unprotected players.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Nov 22, 2011 10:44 PM PST up reply actions
Fair enough
You’re right about the Chivas list, I had kind of just skimmed all of them, I didn’t realize how many good players they left unprotected.
Montreal has a chance to set itself up really nicely for its first season. It feels different from last year, though that may have been due to there being two teams involved.
Say what you want about America, thirteen bucks still gets you a hell of a lot of mice!
Isn't the SuperDraft down to just two rounds now?
There are supplemental picks, but those seem to be not worth much. Well, enough to get Ryan Smith, I guess.
by Brendanukkah on Nov 23, 2011 9:45 AM PST up reply actions
Yeah
No supplemental draft now.
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
No.
Two round “Superdraft” followed by four round “Supplemental draft”. Rather than 3 and 3.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Nov 24, 2011 12:37 AM PST up reply actions
wow
Must have totally misread that, Thanks!
Contributing editor to Stumptown Footy the Portland Timbers SBN blog.
Yeah, they phrased it weirdly.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Nov 24, 2011 9:17 AM PST up reply actions
I think it's important for Impact
to also consider which guys will be comfortable in a new culture and language, not just who looks good on paper or who might fit in with their style of play. Quebec province is the most unique region of North America, it’s not Kansas. Happy players who can be comfortable there will perform better for them.
I love Portland because everyone here takes things so seriously, sort of.
by yepyou'reright on Nov 22, 2011 9:12 PM PST via iPhone app reply actions
This is definitly true.
Quebec is very cold and very French. I really hope that they can latch on to the unique culture to put together a club that is different from anyone else in MLS. That being said, that same unique culture that could make the club great could definitely prove an impediment to getting players to want to come up there.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Nov 22, 2011 10:48 PM PST up reply actions
Montreal is different from the rest of Quebec though
It is far closer to major American cities than Quebec City is, and probably closer to Toronto than it is to Quebec City (though they might dispute that). Sure, you have to put up with some rudeness when you don’t know French, but that is going to be less of an issue for the players. It’s different, but its closer to unique than bizarre.
You’re right about the unique club culture, though. If the ownership does a good job, which is a big if right now, they could have one of the best atmospheres in MLS.
Say what you want about America, thirteen bucks still gets you a hell of a lot of mice!
UM02 is a very good supporters group and will be different.
Kinda close to trying to be hooligans, but a strong group nonetheless.
This is going to be good for my French skills.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
and for my second act, nicknames
L’Imps
Imps
Mo real
Les Blows
ils jouaient? [notable only because I can fit every singe vowel in a row]
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
by Kejsare on Nov 22, 2011 11:45 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs
Around the web it seems that 'unprotected'
means ‘available and basically already on my team’
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Nov 23, 2011 11:01 AM PST reply actions
One question
When Generation Adidas guys graduate, do their salaries generally stay at the same level?
volatilelyle.com
by almost awesome on Nov 23, 2011 11:02 AM PST reply actions
Generally, they may drop a little.
Valentin was $125k or so after graduating.
Jag kom, jag såg, erövrade jag.
Depends on if you are looking at guarenteed or base.
Contributing Editor for Stumptown Footy
by William Conwell on Nov 24, 2011 12:38 AM PST up reply actions
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