Marc Connolly seems to see it as a possibility http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/news/mls_news.jsp?ymd=20040714&content_id=8208&vkey=news_mls&fext=.jsp
assuming that we would leave cunningham unprotected... and, barring some bust up with him and greggy, i dont see that happening.
I can see a scenario where they're going to have to make some very hard choices regarding defenders, and Herdsman could coceivably be the odd man out, but I cannot envision any circumstance where Cunningham would be left unprotected. If he is, there's not much question he'd be gone in a flash.
Unfortunately, I could envision us leaving Cunningham unprotected for cap reasons. We currently have the 2 highest ranked allocations in the league but they move down in the order when the 2 new teams join (they each get a super-allocation). We are allegedly trying to sign players for the spots. These would be at least medium to high priced players. The team might protect the new guys at the expense of Cunny. That would be dumb but not inconceivable. BTW, another of Connolly's possible lineups featured Testo.
Unless Cunningham loses it again and asks for a trade again then he will be here. No chance will he be unprotected unless he does it to himself.
I seem to doubt very highly the Cunny will want to be traded from a boring town like Columbus to SLC Utah.
The expansion draft will be this year, I think November 2004 and they'll start playing in Utah in 2005.
With Cunny right now we have enough cap space for a major allocation, when you consider that Mais cannot possibly be returning that will open up a lot more money for the other allocation.
A lot really depends on what will happen with our allocations. I am really wondering if they're going to be used at all this season or if they'll just wait until January to use them.
As frustrating as Cunny can be, I think we'd be crazy to leave him unprotected... UNLESS he makes enough money that we think he'll be passed over. The last time we did this Chicago and Miami loaded up on solid role players and filled their "star" slots with allocations. However, that won't be enough to be competitive (certainly not at the level Chicago was) this time around. Herdsman must be protected. He's been too good - I'd rather leave Duncan out there unprotected - nobody is going to take him as an SI, even at the el-cheapo rate he plays for.
I think you also have to throw in Fraser's contract in there as well as Mais. Does it really make sense to keep his contract around with Marshall, Akwari, and Wingert improving daily? He was brought in to mentor those guys and he's doing such a good job, he's making himself obsolete IMO. Can't keep Akwari as the 4th or 5th defender on the bench. Too much talent and leadership ability in that kid. Plus Fraser was one of the unreported players, but he has to be making in the high 100s as a vetern of his caliber. I'm thinking 170K-190K. Combined those three don't make as much as he does(Marshall 55K, Akwari 50K, Wingert(30-40K[Guess]) I would think.
Fraser would be a good hire as an assistant coach, which McCullers would be very wise to do. I don't know how much is left on Fraser's contract, but perhaps if he still has another year on it, he would be will to become a player/coach for the Crew?