With the MLS Expansion Draft set for Wednesday, we finally know which Houston Dynamo players will be available for possible selection by either the Portland Timbers or the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Here are the Dynamo players who are protected and cannot be selected on Wendesday:
1. Brian Ching
2. Brad Davis
3. Geoff Cameron
4. Lovel Palmer
5. Bobby Boswell
6. Colin Clark
7. Mike Chabala
8. Andrew Hainault
9. Adrian Serioux
10. Cam Weaver
11. Tally Hall
Automatically Protected: Danny Cruz (GA), Tyler Deric (Home Grown), Francisco Navas Cobo (Home Grown)
That leaves the following players available for possible selection:
Samuel Appiah, Corey Ashe, Ryan Cochrane, Richard Mulrooney, Joseph Ngwenya, Anthony Obodai, Dominic Oduro, Pat Onstad, Eddie Robinson
I think the two names that stand out the most are Corey Ashe and Dominic Oduro. I'm theorizing that the Dynamo are concenred about Ashe's balking early in contract talks and are willing to expose him in favor of a player still under contract, aka Cam Weaver. Can't fault that thinking.
As for Dominic Oduro, while his speed is an asset, he is the type of player that will probably make it through. Plus, if my information is correct, he's out of contract (it's impossibly hard to figure this out sometimes with how protective MLS is about this information) and the team chose to hold on to an International like Serioux who gives you some depth and versatility in the defensive back line and midfield.
I'll have some more thoughts tomorrow about the list and try to speculate what players have the best chance of being selected by Portland or Vancouver.
For now, what do you think of the protected list Dynamo fans?