Monday, November 24, 2008

The list: Chivas USA

Here are Chivas USA's protected and exposed players ahead of Wednesday's expansion draft.

Protected players: Jonathan Bornstein, Justin Braun, Bobby Burling, Alecko Eskandarian, Maykel Galindo, Atiba Harris, Sacha Kljestan, Jesse Marsch, Francisco Mendoza, Paulo Nagamura, Shavar Thomas.

Exposed players: Kraig Chiles, Jim Curtin, Eric Ebert, Dejair, Jorge Flores, Anthony Hamilton, Dan Kennedy, Gerson Mayen, Roberto Nurse, Daniel Paladini, Lance Parker, Ante Razov, Keith Savage, Claudio Suarez, Carey Talley, Zach Thornton, Lawson Vaughn, Sasha Victorine, Raphael Wicky, Alex Zotinca.

I wouldn't make too much of Ante Razov not being protected. He's out of contract and would be pricey to re-sign, two things that probably would scare away Seattle coaches. In general, I just don't think it's wise to draft players out of contract, especially 34-year-old ones who have had injury problems for five years running.

There are three players on here that I think may be gone. Jorge Flores is the most obvious. He's young, talented and has shown success when given the time with Chivas USA. He'd be a good selection for Seattle.

Carey Talley would be a great fit for Seattle with his veteran leadership and quality on the backline. He has some wear on his legs, though, as he's been around for about a decade so Seattle may want to go younger. Still, it may not be the worst thing to have a veteran around to help stabilize things.

Still, the player I think is the most attractive option is Lawson Vaughn. He could step in and start right away for Seattle. He's an attack-minded right back who can hit a nice cross in from the right flank. He's inexpensive, making just $33,000 a year. And he's young, just 24 years of age. Injuries sidetracked him this season but he was primed to take another step in his development in 2008.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I would hate to see the LAW go! While on the Season brake last year, the USMNT gave him a call in which he had to decline going to camp due to an injury. Then he gets that unfortunate kick in the face by DeRosario and went down hill from there. I think that the only reason he was left unprotected is because he just had the surgery on his ankle and Seattle will probably not take a gamble like that. Let's hope that they don't look our way at all.

Leaving Flores unprotected leaves me speechless. I would have protected him before Panchito, just because I doubt that Seattle would have picked Panchito. Flores has been doing good things while on the pitch for both Chivas USA and U-20's. He is the future of Chivas USA, well, only if he doesn't get taken by Seattle.

Talley came into our team showing that he can play under pressure and that he works hard when on the pitch. He has shown his enthusiasm and excitement to be here. He has become a fan favorite in such a short time.

I HOPE THEY STAY!!!


MICHOACANO

Anonymous said...

why is dan kennedy unprotected? (along with all three keepers).

that's pretty scary.

Anonymous said...

Preky is a cunt, why wouldn't he protect Flores, if Flores is taken i will tell Preky he is an idiot right up to his face.

L.B. said...

With Talley and Law on there, I think he's going to let Seattle make the choice as to who will start at right back next year. Zotinca's not protected either but there's no way he gets chosen.

For some reason, I don't think Seattle will take Flores. Maybe I'm just hoping that's true but I think they want some experience in there more so than straight youth.

Still, we see with Braun being protected and Flores not who has more of a chance initially at least to play next year.

As far as Kennedy, I don't think Seattle will take him. They've got Kasey Keller and they don't really need another goalkeeper right now. Maybe the need to get a young guy to groom for when Keller retires but that's something they can address down the road.