Surely Wolff's HG rights were acquired as part of the trade. Looks like I was pretty close (I think 8 or so were a given). The biggest surprise to me was that they actually protected Quinton. They chose to protect Goncalves, Julio and Palacio over guys like Brook and Crooks. I still think MacMath is the most likely player selected, but I'd be pretty surprised if any RSL player is actually selected. There's a lot more talent available than I thought there would be league wide.
CCC draw info. https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/2025-concacaf-champions-cup-draw-10-mls-teams-learn-opponents RSL gets Herediano in the opening round then gets the Galaxy if they advance.
I know today is expansion draft day, so maybe we don’t get much legs on this. Paraguayan Diego Gómez (U23 Captain for them), who was the runner up in the MLS U22 Player of the Year to Diego Luna, was bought from Inter Miami by Brighton & Hove Albion for $15 mil. With our Gómez leaving mid-season for about the same amount, I imagine that the asking price for Diego Luna is probably in the same realm?
Are you factoring in the apparent 'American players aren't worth as much' stigma? I would probably agree, but there's usually not much rhyme or reason to transfer values. Then there is what is publicly released vs the actual numbers.
I think one thing to factor in with Diego is that his body type isn't your stereotypical player. We've been trained to favor thinner and taller. He's stalky and doesn't have breakaway pace, although he is quick. I can see a lot of GMs passing on him because he doesn't check all the superficial boxes.
What is really funny, is that they protected Leo Chu and not Rusnak!!! Anyhow, I think Rusnak is going into free agency this year, and he is damn pricey. I think if he would take the max TAMable salary, Rusnak would be in very high demand, but he wants several $100k over that. I'd put him about as valuable as Nagbe, but younger. He's never had a long injury spell either, so that's worth something. I'm guessing that they are betting San Diego won't want to blow a DP spot on him.
Anyone see worthwhile free agents? I've always liked Arreaga at CB. There's also Tim Parker. I like Nick Lima at RB, but I'm not sure if there is a spot for him. I think RSL should look at Toye and Ebobisse at forward, maybe even Josef...
Ex-RSL players eligible for selection: Cory Baird Damir Kreilach Jasper Loeffelsend Tim Melia Danny Musovski David Ochoa Albert Rusnak Tate Schmitt Bobby Wood
Matt Doyle releases list of players in his top list by position for free agency. I’d take a flyer on Aaron Long. Jack Elliott would be great. Maybe Arreaga. There are some decent CBs.
All three have potential still. Bruseth was a very recent U22 signing by Orlando. Diop was a high draft pick. We all know Jasper can play in this league. I'm not sure about the international status of those guys though.
They don't have many (any?) proven MLS vets. They did pick up a bunch of extra GAM. I wouldn't be surprised if they are big spenders in free agency (starts later today).
There are loads of player acquisition channels these days, and the expansion draft has been relatively unimportant in recent years as a roster building mechanism. Certainly a far cry from when we were starting out.
https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/real-salt-lake-select-forster-ajago-in-re-entry-draft RSL adds another forward.
Apparently RSL was one of just three teams to select a player in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry draft. Stage 2 is next Thursday.