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Four selections made in Stage 2 of MLS Re-Entry Draft

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Just like the acquisitions drafts before it in the offseason, the second stage of the MLS Re-Entry Draft didn’t produce a ton of fireworks.

However, there were four teams who opted to select from the pool of players who had their contract options declined or were out of contract at the end of the 2016 season.

The Houston Dynamo used the second selection of the draft to bring in former LA Galaxy centerback Leonardo. Before missing the majority of the 2016 season with an injury, Leonardo turned himself into a mainstay in defense for the Galaxy. He has 85 regular-season appearances under his belt as well as three MLS Cups.

Columbus followed suit with the third pick and selected a defender of its own in Josh Williams. The 28-year-old, who was with Toronto FC the last two seasons, played for the Crew from 2010 to 2014. If he is signed to a deal, Williams would provide depth in the back four after the recent announcement that center back Gaston Sauro would miss all of the 2017 campaign.

The San Jose Earthquakes acquired forward Olmes Garcia with the fourth pick. Garcia, who spent the last four years at Real Salt Lake, has scored 11 goals in 104 matches in a mainly reserve role since coming to MLS in 2013.

Sporting Kansas City dipped into the Re-Entry draft pool to select goalkeeper Andrew Dykstra with the 12th selection. Dykstra appeared sparingly in between the pipes for D.C. United over the last five seasons. He is a solid backup option to Tim Melia.

Houston, Columbus and Sporting KC are required to make a guaranteed offer to their respective selections. The rest of the players not chosen in the Re-Entry process are eligible to sign with clubs on a first come, first serve basis.

Comments

  1. Happy to see Josh Williams back in the Black & Gold, you’re always going to get effort out of him. Hopefully this is a depth signing though.

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