By IVES GALARCEP
The 2014 MLS expansion draft is set for today, with Orlando City SC and New York City FC continuing to build their squads ahead of their inaugural MLS seasons.
There is plenty of talent available for today’s expansion draft, with each new team set to grab 10 players. While Monday’s wheeling and dealing did take some players out of the mix, there is still good value to be found.
There are some big names on the expansion draft list, but many are very unlikely to be touched. A player like Tim Cahill, with a contract worth more than $3 million a season, is extremely unlikely to be selected, while a player like Eddie Johnson might wind up scaring both teams away because of his high salary and inconsistency.
Young talent is sure to be on the shopping lists of both expansion teams, with the likes of Carlos Salcedo and Ben Speas drawing attention from both teams. Patrick Mullins is coming off a promising rookie season and should also garner plenty of attention. One young player who won’t be taken today is Diego Fagundez, who is on the list of exposed players but won’t be selected after New England made trades with both teams to ensure he won’t be selected.
In my recent Goal USA piece, I offered up a Best XI of options in the expansion draft, and there are several New England Revolution and Real Salt Lake players in the mix. NYCFC head coach Jason Kreis is expected to grab one or two RSL players, but he could have competition for the likes of Carlos Salcedo, Ned Grabavoy and Chris Wingert.
There will be plenty of factors in play when the expansion teams select players, from salary, to age, to international status. Contract status also must be considered, with players such as A.J. Soares and Benji Joya, who are both out of contract and capable of choosing to play abroad rather than staying in MLS with expansion teams.
SBI will be running a Live Commentary in the lead-up to, and during, the MLS expansion draft, so be sure to join us for that. In the meantime, please feel free to take a look at the expansion lists and let us know which players you see going in today’s expansion draft. Would you take a chance on Eddie Johnson? Would you rather go for younger, less expensive talent? Who would you take with the top pick of you were Orlando City?
Share your thoughts below.