By RYAN TOLMICH
Phase One of the MLS Re-Entry Draft process is usually fairly tame, but Toronto FC made the splash of the day by locking up a veteran with World Cup experience.
TFC selected Robbie Findley, previously of Real Salt Lake, in Friday’s Re-Entry Draft, while the Montreal Impact and San Jose Earthquakes each grabbed an ex-Sporting KC goalkeeper in Eric Kronberg and Andy Gruenebaum. All three selections will have their options exercised by their respective new clubs.
Findley, who was a member of the U.S. Men’s National Team at the 2010 World Cup, made his return to MLS in 2013 after spending three seasons in England with Nottingham Forrest. In the previous two seasons with Real Salt Lake, Findley scored seven goals in 41 games.
The Impact used the draft’s first overall selection on Kronberg, who made 20 appearances for Sporting KC in 2014 while recording seven shutouts. The 31-year-old will now join incumbent starter Evan Bush and homegrown product Maxime Crépeau to form the Impact’s goalkeeping group.
Kronberg’s former Sporting KC teammate, Gruenebaum, will head to the Earthquakes and join David Bingham and Bryan Meredith as the club’s goalkeepers. Gruenebaum made 11 appearances for Sporting KC last season after spending eight seasons with the Columbus Crew.
Players not selected in Friday’s draft will now enter Phase Two of the Re-Entry Draft, which will take place on Dec. 18.
—
What do you think of Friday’s moves? How do you see the selections fitting in with their new clubs?
Share your thoughts below.
re-entry draft? HAHAHAHAHAHAAH
#LOLtoronto
What exactly IS the reentry draft? Why are these players available to be drafted? I think this is something you need to explain in the article, Ryan.
The re-entry draft is for players whose contract options were declined by their teams. For example, a player has a contract of two years guaranteed, plus one option year. If the team declines the option, the player’s option year may be purchased by another team. In that case, the player receives his same pay from the previous two years.
There’s a different draft for handing out new contracts.
Thanks
If by splash, you meant every other front office in the league spilled their drinks in surprise that TFC was dumb enough to pay a quarter million for one goal per year and no effort on defense, then that was a splash. This isn’t the same Findlay that left RSL for England. This is the Findlay that couldn’t do anything for RSL while they were missing Saborio for a big chunk of the season. Are you sure you didn’t mean to select Balchan from RSL? He didn’t do much this year either, but he at least hustled in return for his money.
Yes I am being over the top negative and even a bit mean here. But seriously, who really thinks this pick up of a team’s fourth choice striker at a quarter million per year is a big splash?
I’m not sure what RSL team you watched last season. Findley played more defense than he ever has. His offense was rusty coming off a major injury and he was given awkward bunches of minutes, usually in garbage time. He will have a much better season next year with a healthy preseason and (you would think) regular minutes. Also, let’s be honest, since you want to make the comparisons, Sabo makes a ton more than Findley and gives less effort (and scored just as much late in the season). The only striker on RSL that was worth his salt last year was Plata. Balchan was just terrible.
Can we officially call this ‘Draft season’?
This season’s drafting (and trading) seems to be adding up to one thing: RSL is filled with players that others want.
“…was* filled…”
Ah yes, good fix.
But hey, you could still make some stock from the leftover bones.
$245,500 seems a lil pricey for Findley.
Totally agree, I thought for sure he would slip to the 2nd round where a team could pick him up but renegotiate his salary. He’s still a decent player who can help a good team, but not at that salary.