It’s Getting Drafty in Here …

By: Andrew | November 24th, 2009

The list of players for the 2009 MLS Expansion Draft was released yesterday, and the interwebs are a flurry with predictions and speculation about the ten players the Union will choose. Since I’ve done my predictions as to who might be made available throughout the league (and in some cases WAY off base), it’s time to share my thoughts – and bring out my inner-fanboy – about who Nowak and company will choose Wednesday at 1 PM.

So, who do I think will make up the core of the Union’s inaugural season roster?

Starting from the back …

GOALKEEPER
Kevin Hartman (Kansas City Wizards)

DEFENDERS
Devon McTavish (DC United)
James Riley (Seattle Sounders)
Mike Chabala (Houston Dynamo)
Mike Petke (New York Red Bulls)

MIDFIELDERS
Pat Phelan (New England Revolution)
Ned Grabavoy (Real Salt Lake)
Mehdi Ballouchy (Colorado Rapids)

FORWARDS
Jason Garey (Columbus Crew)
Alan Gordon (Los Angeles Galaxy)

There were a handful of available “big name” goalkeepers – Josh Wicks, Pat Onstad, Dario Sala – as well as some who have (recently) shown their skill level – Josh Saunders – but Kevin Hartman has a great deal of experience in the league between the pipes. I haven’t heard rumors or reports of him going overseas, so I think he’d be a solid pick.

The back line gave me a bit of trouble, especially when names like Frankie Hejduk, Chris Albright, and Robbie Russell are among those left exposed. Devon McTavish can play as both a defender or midfielder, providing some versatility. Mike Chabala has clocked a little over 1,000 minutes of playing time in 2009 with the Dynamo, but this just so happened to be a career high for him, and he has the potential to make an impact. Mike Petke provides a veteran presence in the back line, having plied his trade in MLS since the ‘98 season with the MetroStars. James Riley, the unfortunate victim of the past couple Expansion Drafts, has gained quality experience playing with the Revolution, Earthquakes, and Sounders.

Some midfield veterans were available, and may be very tempting to the team; Christian Gomez, Hercules Gomez, Jorge Rojas, Carl Robinson, etc. But what it boiled down to for me was youth with some MLS experience, and I feel that Pat Phelan, Mehdi Ballouchy, and Ned Grabavoy meet both of those. Nowak could then bring in a seasoned, grizzled veteran to help guide these youngsters and bring out their true potential.

I had anticipated that Steven Lenhart would be exposed. Since he was protected by the Crew, Jason Garey might be a decent replacement, netting one goal for about every four games he played in ‘09. Alan Gordon might work well up front with Garey, providing some imposing height and skill in front of the net, and bringing with him his recent experience in the 2009 MLS Cup.

At the end of the day, this is one big crap shoot, and some give-and-take was necessary because of the rule stating that a team can lose only one player in the draft … perhaps Russell instead of Grabavoy, Saunders instead of Gordon. Seeing players such as Ricardo Clark, Ben Olsen, Yura Movsisyan, and Chris Rolfe left exposed is mouth-watering, until you realize they are going overseas or retiring. So close.

Now for the waiting game. We’ll see how things pan out about 26 hours from now.