Expansion Draft Preview: Sounders Taking Shape
On Wednesday the base of the 2009 Seattle Sounders team will take shape through the expansion draft. Goal.com takes a look at how it could shake out and some of the likely prospects.
By Allen Ramsey
The list of players available to the Seattle Sounders FC in the expansion draft came out Monday. On Wednesday, the newest member of Major League Soccer will be able to select ten players to help fill out their roster for 2009.
The Sounders can select only one player from any one MLS team, meaning four teams will not be affected. With four players already signed by the club -- goalkeeper Kasey Keller, midfielder Freddie Ljungberg, USL superstar forward Sebastian Le Toux, and midfielder Sanna Nyassi -- the ten additional picks will form the nucleus of the 2009 Seattle squad.
Despite the big names among the unprotected, the salary cap will limit Seattle to taking players within a certain price range. Some of the options available are also possibly on the verge of being waived by their current teams and could be passed up, but still end up in Seattle.
Start At The Back
With the attacking force of Ljungberg and Le Toux seemingly in place (along with the wing play of Nyassi) the Sounders will likely focus their attention on protecting Keller. There is no shortage of defensive options available.
The Houston Dynamo failed to protect Wade Barret and Craig Waibel, both veteran defenders who could easily provide leadership to the
Ian Joy of
Younger defenders, such as
Maybe the most intriguing prospect, if not also the most questionable, is New York Red Bulls defender Jeff Parke. Parke was part of the drug scandal that rocked MLS in 2008 and as such might not be a prime choice for the new franchise. But Parke can play, and giving a fresh start to a 26-year-old defender with a chip on his shoulder might prove to be a very smart move.
Lawson Vaughn is another player that could find himself in Seattle next season. Vaughn has experience as an MLS defender and would come in as a cheap addition. The 24-year-old didn't have much to do with Chivas USA's back line in 2008, but was a regular starter in in 2007 and is a capable fullback.
Get Freddie Some Help
Aside from building a defense, the Sounders will most certainly want to address their need for fresh legs in the midfield. Ljungberg should be solid, but his injury problems make him a liability. MLS has become a league of strong midfield play and surrounding Ljungberg with some experienced protection would be a very good idea.
If Nyassi is anything like his brother Sainey in New England, he will certainly be able to run one flank. Ljungberg is seemingly slated to play in the middle and he is not exactly known for his tenacious defensive work so some added toughness will be needed.
Two guys from
Another young player, Pat Phelan of
One intriguing player is veteran Sasha Victorine of Chivas
Marco Pappa and Khano Smith are also under-priced options for the Seattle midfield.
Pappa, a 21-year-old Guatemalan who is on the Chicago roster, has loads of technical ability. He flashed a good bit of skill in his limited time with Chicago and would be a good addition to Seattle's midfield. Pappa is a shoot-first attacking threat, much like Smith, but can deliver some great passes when he decides to.
Smith has been erratic with New England. The Bermudan international has speed to burn and is a dangerous player, but he also tends to be a bit wild and might not fit into some systems. However, Smith would offer an added bit of pace and some toughness to the squad.
Attacking Options
There is no shortage of strikers available to
Francis Doe could be selected from D.C. United. Doe should come rather cheaply and would offer pace and a high work rate to the front line.
Houston target-man Nate Jaqua has ties to the Seattle area and has proven to be an effective scorer in the right system.
Twenty-one-year-old Johann Smith would also be a solid option. Smith, who has flashed some creative ability in limited minutes with Toronto FC, was raised in the English style that Ljungberg flourished under and would offer a solid target player up front and some pace.
Drafting Without A Coach
General manager Adrian Hanauer and technical director Chris Henderson will head
Drafting big names can lead to trouble (just ask
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