[BuffloSoldier]

"If they want you to cook the dinner, at least they ought to let you shop for some of the groceries."

Bill Parcells and Frank Yallop have things in common this week. Wednesday's expansion draft sees ten guys go to Bay Area; the Earthquakes can't take more than one player from each team while three teams won't have a player subtracted at all. In my mind, this expansion draft is light years away from the ones RSL and Toronto had in terms of talent that actually will stick at the team through training camp and the Quakes' first season.

First of all, I just can't see someone from Toronto taken. No offense to those in red and white, but I can't see any TFC players taken.

The rest of the teams have a valid chance of a player taken. In alphabetical order...

Chivas USA: I doubt Amado Guevara's an option. Too much salary, too much history to him in this league. If Yallop goes shopping in this red-and-white aisle, look for some bargain hunting. Take a shot at David Arvizu? A relatively experience keeper like Preston Burpo? Maybe, but I see either John Cunliffe or Jason Hernandez as the best options. Both are under $50k and are useable parts as spot starters or options off the bench. In my mind, take Hernandez and let him compete for a spot in central defense. The tools are there, but Hernandez has never gotten an extended chance at Chivas or his time in New York. He's worth the shot.

Chicago: Jim Curtin and Ivan Guerrero's injury-filled seasons would worry me too much. John Thorrington's California roots might be a nice fit in a league that's bereft of right-sided options, but look for Diego Gutierrez here. Hard working, a good presence in the locker room, and adaptable in several positions and tactical setups.

Colorado: My gut screams a pass. There are a number of serviceable and not-so-serviceable veterans with six figure salaries that I see San Jose passing (Cancela, Casey, Hernandez, Kirovski, Petke, Sanneh and Thornton). Maybe Brandon Prideaux or a cheaper option like Dan Gargan.

Columbus This screams of Ned Grabavoy. The midfielder had a pretty good season for the Crew, his salary's extremely manageable and even if he doesn't end up becoming a week in, week out starter for you he'll contribute. Jason Garey's coming off an injurey and could be an option. Maybe there's a handshake deal done to keep Grabavoy in Ohio; let's see if common sense reigns.

Dallas: When I first saw the expansion list, Clarence Goodson's name screamed to me; what was he doing on the list after being clearly the club's best defender at his age? But he's out of contract, and if FCD thought there was a decent chance Goodson would stick around in MLS they would have protected him.

Otherwise, there's some decent options for San Jose. Chris Gbandi and Bobby Rhine can play outside back in this league. Aaron Pitchkolan's shown talent. But in the end, San Jose's best options lie in Dominic Oduro or Abe Thompson. Oduro has speed and can be a starter or a substitute while Thompson can score. All three make under $50k. My guess here is Thompson.

DC: Brian Carroll seems to be the likeliest option. Coming off a poor season and making six figures, Carroll's only 26. Greg Vanney's a veteran option, but even at a lower salary he may be deemed too expensive. Perhaps another deal to take Carroll off the table; Jamil Walker anyone? Short of that, look for Carroll to go. Outside chance on Justin Moose.

Houston: Earthquake fans would like a few off this list for old time's sake. It won't surprise me if the two teams trade outside of this draft. As you'd expect with the league's deepest team, several options present themselves. Goalkeeper? Old and young are available, and Zach Wells might be the decison the Quakes FO makes. Craig Waibel's still a good defender and a fan favorite, but there are better options.

The Dynamo had an option: either protect Ryan Cochrane or Pat Ianni. It's a tough choice, and they made the right one. Ianni's going to be a good player for years to come; Cochrane should return to his blue-and-black beginnings.

KC: The Wizards are a tough read; Kevin Hartman's too high ticket as a probability. Common sense might say Jose Burciaga, but he just doesn't seem to be a left back that Yallop would covet. He likes a more speedy, compact guy (see: Wade Barrett and Mike Randolph).

So perhaps this will be a pass; maybe Yallop takes one of the no-names like Ryan Pore. Your guess is as good as mine. If this is the route, don't expect them to last the season.

LA: Who travels north with Yallop? Look for a midfielder; Kelly Gray and Josh Tudela are options that come to the forefront. Tudela's cheap, and Yallop had confidence in him down the stretch. Gray has history in San Jose. This one's a toss-up. Maybe Yallop takes a flier on Kyle Veris on sheer physical ability.

New England: Andy Dorman's out of contract and likely out of MLS; he's likely not an option. Likewise Avery John.

So for me, James Riley is the best option. Young, cheap, versatile, and talented. No one else makes a tenth of sense in my book.

Red Bulls: Maybe Kevin Goldthwaite; California kid, versatile and cheap. Hell, the PR from him being at the first San Jose game is gold. Francis Doe's a nice option if you want a striker; Joseph Vide could be an option if the Quakes don't take guys like Gray, Tudela or Carroll.

RSL: This may be the third "pass" too. Chris Brown had time in San Jose; maybe Yallop brings him back as a spot starter/sub option. Otherwise, not a lot of options. Chris Lancos, perhaps. Or give Andy Williams another MLS team on his resume.

[bigdogsoccer21]

i agree with the james riley argument but i think if yallop can convince dorman to stay hed be a tremednous athlete and asset for the new earthquakes

[Matrim55]

1) Grabavoy
2) Carroll
3) Cochrane
4) Goodson
5) Guerrero
6) Riley
7) Doe
8) Burciaga
9) Tudela
10) Cunliffe

The most important thing, to me, is getting the Carroll-Cochrane-Goodson triumverate. Two of those are starters on MLS Cup winners and the third is a big, aggressive center-back who is clearly MLS starter material. That's a solid heart of your defense.

Tudela is a tough, skilled two-way compliment to Carroll deep in the midfield. Riley gets to use his speed and instincts at his natural position, right back in a 4-4-2. Burciaga gets hooked up to the rejuvenation machine at left back.

Guerrero is going to be played out of position at left mid, but for an expansion team that's likely going to be coming out in a defensive posture, that's not a bad thing. He also adds toughness and experience.

Grabavoy will be the hub of the offense, playing behind two strikers - and honestly, I think he's up for it. One of the starting forwards should be the young, talented Doe. The other one should be whichever Argie or Brazilian they can find on the (relatively) cheap; hopefully San Jose's version of Emilio. Cunliffe adds attacking depth off the bench.

Then San Jose should trade their DP for three years to LA for Cronin, Harmse and Kirk.

Finally, take UConn's O'Brien White with their first round draft pick.

Cronin

Riley - Goodson - Cochrane - Burciaga

Tudela - Carroll - Guerrero

Grabavoy

Argie/Brazilian - Doe

Bench: Kirk, Harmse, White, veteran defender, veteran GK

I'll bet my right arm the actual draft looks nothing like this, fwiw.

[Salop]

Apologies in advance for my extreme ignorance.

Could someone just clarify this a little for me please? Would I be right in thinking that San Jose, as a new team, get to pick one player from up to 10 clubs? Can this be any player or do they have to abide by budget restrictions (or does that only come into play at a later stage)? Can the players refuse to sign for them and, if so, do San Jose get to pick another player? How are external transfers (ie. bringing in players from abroad, non-MLS or youth players) affected by this? And finally, on a kind of related topic, what happens if one of the players they draft then gets cut when they have to release their final squad details? Is there any kind of compensation from the league or does their contract with the league still stand regardless of whether they made the final cut?

Once again, apologies for jumping in with a barrage of questions but this is yet another area of MLS that's new to me and I'd really appreciate anyone taking the time to answer some of these questions.

[FC Arizona]

Salope, I don't know the answer to all of your questions. I'm not sure if you're going to get alot of response out of this thread. You may want to post up in MLS General. Re: do the players have to sign?, I would think no. Clarence Goodson was taken from Dallas, and has opted to go to Europe. Generally, I think most will stay with the Club. I also assume that the team will need to follow any other league cap requirements.

[tobet redded]

very good

[Hyuuga Neji]

Originally Posted by Salop

Apologies in advance for my extreme ignorance.

Could someone just clarify this a little for me please? Would I be right in thinking that San Jose, as a new team, get to pick one player from up to 10 clubs? Can this be any player or do they have to abide by budget restrictions (or does that only come into play at a later stage)? Can the players refuse to sign for them and, if so, do San Jose get to pick another player? How are external transfers (ie. bringing in players from abroad, non-MLS or youth players) affected by this? And finally, on a kind of related topic, what happens if one of the players they draft then gets cut when they have to release their final squad details? Is there any kind of compensation from the league or does their contract with the league still stand regardless of whether they made the final cut?

Once again, apologies for jumping in with a barrage of questions but this is yet another area of MLS that's new to me and I'd really appreciate anyone taking the time to answer some of these questions.

An expansion team can only take unprotected players. Teams can keep their best players by placing a protected player slot on them. Each team gets 11 or 12 protected players, I think.