With each team having made their end-of-the-year cuts and having decided which options to pick up, we now have a full list of the players who will be available in the first stage of the MLS Re-Entry Draft this Thursday. The Portland Timbers, having finished third in the Supporters' Shield standings and having reached the Western Conference Final in the playoffs, will pick 17th.
There are a wealth of talented players currently without a team in this draft, including four former-designated players, but the likelihood of the Timbers making a pick here looks relatively low. With the teams ahead of them primed to take the pick of the litter, the Timbers will likely be left with a group of players that either do not fit into the team's plans or are on too high of a salary to justify their selection.
While some of the players available may choose retirement (or may even have already retired like potential selection Chris Albright), there are still plenty of potential picks.
The need for another striker to supplement the Timbers' meager ration of two currently signed forwards is apparent. There are plenty of serviceable players at that position in the draft, but few proven ones. Perhaps the biggest names available at forward are Kenny Cooper, Fabian Espindola, and Steve Zakuani.
The other hot position for the Timbers, fullback, also has several viable selections available in the draft. Sean Franklin is certainly the most well thought-of among the fullbacks on offer, but Shaun Francis and Brandon Barklage are possibilities as well.
There are 6 former Timbers available in the draft, most notably Cooper, who failed to come to an agreement with FC Dallas after struggling under the direction of Schellas Hyndman for much of the season. Cooper is joined by Steve Purdy, Mike Chabala, Josh Saunders, and recently waived Timbers David Horst and Ryan Miller.
There are also a number of Caleb Porter's former players from his time at Akron in the draft this year. Zakuani, Blair Gavin, and Sinisa Ubiparipovic are all currently without a team and would be available for Caleb Porter to further reinforce the Akron contingent in Portland.
Any players selected in this draft will have to be extended a bona fide offer by the club that picks them. Any players that go unselected in the first stage will available for selection in the second stage on Wednesday, the 18th.
From MLSsoccer.com:
2013 RE-ENTRY DRAFT ELEGIBLE PLAYERS BY CLUB
Chicago Fire (9): M Corben Bone, D Shaun Francis, M Joel Lindpere, M Daniel Paladini, M Logan Pause, M Chris Rolfe, F Maicon Santos, M Wells Thompson*, M Michael Videira
Chivas USA (3): D Ante Jazic*, D Steve Purdy, M Josue Soto
Columbus Crew (2): M Danny O'Rourke, M Konrad Warzycha
Colorado Rapids (3): GK Steward Ceus, D Brian Mullan, M Jamie Smith
D.C. United (6): M Dwayne De Rosario, D James Riley, F Carlos Ruiz, M Marcelo Saragosa, M John Thorrington, D Daniel Woolard
FC Dallas (3): F Kenny Cooper, M David Ferreira, D Ugo Ihemelu
Houston Dynamo (5): D Bobby Boswell*, F Calen Carr*, D Mike Chabala, M Alex Dixon, F Cam Weaver
LA Galaxy (4): M Colin Clark, M Laurent Courtois, D Sean Franklin, M Pablo Mastroeni*
Montreal Impact (1): M Sinisa Ubiparipovic
New England Revolution (5): D Kevin Alston*, F Chad Barrett, F Ryan Guy, M Clyde Simms, M Juan Toja
New York Red Bulls (5): F Andre Akpan*, D Brandon Barklage, F Fabian Espindola, GK Kevin Hartman, D Heath Pearce*
Philadelphia Union (1): D Chris Albright*
Portland Timbers (2): D David Horst, D Ryan Miller
Real Salt Lake (4): M Yordany Alvarez, D Brandon McDonald, GK Josh Saunders, M Khari Stephenson
Seattle Sounders (6): D Marc Burch, GK Josh Ford, M Blair Gavin, M Mauro Rosales, F Steve Zakuani*
San Jose Earthquakes (4): D Nana Attakora, M Mehdi Ballouchy*, D Dan Gargan, GK Evan Newton
Toronto FC (2): F Justin Braun*, M Bobby Convey
Vancouver Whitecaps (4): GK Joe Cannon, F Tommy Heinemann, F Corey Hertzog, GK Brad Knighton
NOTE: * indicates players out of contract. All other players had their options declined.
Who would you like to see end up with the Timbers from the first stage of the Re-Entry Draft? Let us know in the comments.