Expansion Draft Preview: Sounders Taking Shape

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Freddie Ljungberg Seattle Sounders Photo courtesy of MLS

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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 Seattle back line. Chris Klein from the Galaxy could also offer an experienced defensive presence, but he is probably too expensive against the salary cap. Besides, none of the three are young enough to ensure the future of the franchise.

Ian Joy of Real Salt Lake brings with him European experience and might fit in well in front of Keller. The 27-year-old should be a prime suspect to be picked up on Wednesday.

Younger defenders, such as Kansas City’s Tyson Wahl, New England’s Chris Teirney, and San Jose’s James Reilly are all available as well, but they need solid veterans around them to be effective.

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 Columbus’s unprotected list would fit in nicely. Twenty-three-year-old Brad Evans has an incredible work rate and came around as a midfielder during the Crew’s run to the MLS Cup title. Likewise, 22-year-old Eddie Gaven could offer the Sounders an experienced right flanker who would take some of the load off of Ljungberg and provide another attacking option and some defensive grit. But Gaven is on a high cap number, so he's probably not an option.

Another young player, Pat Phelan of New England, looked ready at times to become a solid MLS starter. Phelan is not a premium name, but could prove to be a cost-efficient answer as a defensive midfielder. He tackles well and can provide some probing balls, but lacks great speed and experience at the highest level. Still, Phelan is certainly tough and skilled enough to make an impact for Seattle.

One intriguing player is veteran Sasha Victorine of Chivas USA. The 30-year-old may not be the player he once was, but he could certainly spend the last few years of his career playing a key role for an upstart franchise. Victorine can still fill in a number of roles across the midfield and would give the Sounders another technically sound player to link up with Ljungberg.

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 Seattle in the expansion draft, but they will need to choose wisely. While big names like Carlos Ruiz and Ante Razov are available, the team will want to go with players that they can get cheaply. Le Toux seems to be considered the future of the franchise up front, so it would seem fitting to find some players that can work off of him rather than strikers that demand the ball.

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.

Seattle could also take veteran forward Andy Herron. The Costa Rican is very sound with the ball at his feet and could fit in nicely as a complimentary player beside Le Toux. Herron has the ability to move the ball around crisply and would be a nice addition to the Sounders' attack.

Drafting Without A Coach

General manager Adrian Hanauer and technical director Chris Henderson will head Seattle’s efforts at the expansion draft. With no coach yet in place for the Sounders, it will be imperative for Hanauer and Henderson to choose a well-rounded team with plenty of options for whoever takes over the managerial duties.

Drafting big names can lead to trouble (just ask L.A.). Ljungberg and Keller should add enough of the superstar quality to draw in fans. Finding a group of players that fit into the culture Seattle wants to create will be more important than finding the ten most talented names available.

Allen Ramsey is an associate editor of Goal.com USA.