Maybe they did try and trade him. He could have been the 11th player that Prime talked about them trying to trade. It could be that Andy has very little trade value around the league. In fact, I would imagine that if he had any value at all, they would have traded him last year to unclog the middle of the midfield. Andy could very well have wanted to go to Toronto because of family there. RSL may have tried to trade him, but couldn't. So to make Andy happy, to remove the glut of central midfielders, and to protect other players they may not have wanted to lose, they left him unprotected knowing Toronto would take him. I'm sure that they would have liked to get something for him, but that may just not have been possible. If it wasn't possible, this seems like a good and painless way to have everyone come out ahead.
Rumor has it that Douglas has requested to be traded during the off season... I doubt we will see Douglas around here next year.
The Dynamo left Serioux unprotected as well. I wonder if there was some backstage dealing in the MLS to leave teams unprotected.
Based upon the info at 3rd Degree: SuperDraft Round 1, pick 4 - RSL picks Round 2, pick 17 - to Colorado for some reason - Mathis/Cunny? Round 2, pick 20 - to LA Galaxy via Chivas (the Dunseth for Sequiera and Jimenez trade, the pick went to LA with Dunny) Round 3, pick 30 - to KC for rights to I'm Freaking Crap Round 4, pick 43 - to FC Dallas for rights to Dunseth in 2005 Supplemental Draft Round 1, pick 2 - RSL picks from Columbus w/ Hashimoto for Noah Palmer Round 1, pick 4 - RSL picks Round 2, pick 17 - RSL picks Round 3, pick 28 - RSL picks from Columbus for Rusty Pierce Round 3, pick 30 - RSL picks Round 4, pick 43 - RSL picks Round 4, pick 49 - RSL picks from Colorado for rights to Melvin Tarley One pick in the SuperDraft, a ridiculous 7 picks in the Supplemental Draft. In some senses this is one eight round draft (the supplemental drafy includes any players eligible for the SuperDraft, plus players other teams cut loose), and we have eight picks (though weighted to the end).
Walsh played pretty well in the USL, and might have panned out. It was a risk to be sure - if we had more remaining draft picks I would say "good try" and chalk it up to a good risk for the potential reward. But we're short through the first four rounds and that makes it worse in my book.
That's my thoughts too. Plus there is the question of whether or not Mo has him in his plans. Andy's salary isn't small by MLS standards. It could be RSL is willing to let him go via the draft. But it could be they're guessing with the salary that Toronto FC won't be overly anxious to nab him. That is, rolling the dice figuring they'd rather protect a different player.
I really don't want RSL to lose Williams. I still think he's one of the top 2 or 3 players on the team. I won't listen to any Andy Williams "laziness" arguments because they're just mistaken, misunderstandings of soccer. People see a guy with a big butt and his shirt untucked and that makes him lazy. Anyway, I also hope Toronto doesn't take Broome. He was good for the games we had him in of 05. Here's to Toronto picking up superstars Chris Brown and Seth Trembly.
and the likelyhood of that is..... drum roll please.... about the same as Landon Donovan really being straight, so about 0.
You want to really get confused? I could explain that in fact Jack Stewart is Canadian too and so is LA's Ugo Ihemelu and I believe both would be domestics for TFC had they not been protected. We walk among you . . . Thanks for Williams. cheers, hobbes
Very true hobbes, thanks for pointing out that Stewart is also of Canuck background. Fortunately RSL had enough for thought to not expose a great up-and-coming talent like Stewart in the Draft.
I find it odd that the league would release the names of the unprotected players... When the Bobcats joined the NBA they tried to keep it as secrect as possible by releasing names it could cause some serious chemistry issues.
Here's the MLSNet.com mock draft, with Williams a unanimous pick: Mock Expansion Draft The draft is at 11 AM MST.
Is anyone helping Andy pack? "For those of you counting at home, this would be Williams' seventh MLS team." That just shows how great any is. Seven teams wanted him that badly.
Draft started half an hour ago - no real info yet per USector.ca: "Draft Picks Nate Jaqua - F - CHI Transactions - none - Rumours Nate Jaqua to LA Galaxy for *unknown* Ronnie O'Brien to Toronto FC for an allocation and a pass on FC Dallas players" Supposedly a press conference started half an hour ago to discuss the list of picks? How this could drag out with a single team drafting is beyond me. Why we lack information is also a mystery. Thanks MLS - I'm not usually one to complain, but this is silly. EDIT: just added by Usector (TFC supporters group website): :** Due to the slow speed that the information seems to be coming in, it is likely they are having difficulty in contacting all of the players to let them know they have drafted, or are waiting on completion of trades to release this information. We will keep you posted. **"
Suprise - it's Jason Kreis! From MLSnet: "Below is the complete list of players selected in the 2006 MLS Expansion Draft. 1. Paulo Nagamura (Los Angeles Galaxy) 2. Danny O'Rourke (New York Red Bulls) 3. Jose Cancela (New England Revolution) 4. Adrian Serioux (Houston Dynamo) 5. Nate Jaqua (Chicago Fire) 6. Rod Dyachenko (D.C. United) 7. Jason Kreis (Real Salt Lake) 8. Tim Regan (Chivas USA) 9. Ritchie Kotschau (Columbus Crew) 10. Will Hesmer (Kansas City Wizards) "
Sorry to say it everyone, but I'm happy they took Kreis. He's getting paid way too much for his lost touch. I'm glad we're keeping Andy, too. Overall a good day for me.