Houston Dynamo elect to pass in the Dispersal Draft

After concluding the second Dispersal Draft in MLS history, the Houston Dynamo passed with their eleventh selection. The draft to redistribute the contracted Chivas USA roster back into the player pool was held via teleconference from MLS Headquarters in New York. Each team was represented during the call and, after a single round of selections, the draft finally completed after each team issued a "pass" on remaining players.

The Dynamo were selected for the eleventh pick during a weighted lottery last week. While there were many players still left to select from, Houston opted instead to pass on picking up the contracts from the Chivas USA roster. All told, seven selections were made.

Goalkeeper Dan Kennedy, the generally accepted top player from the draft, was selected with the first pick by FC Dallas, who already boast a capable goalkeeper tandem in Chris Seitz and Raul Fernandez. This is more likely a move to use Kennedy as a bargaining chip in a trade deal with another club ahead of the Expansion Draft. Colorado made a move for the 18-year old Homegrown forward Caleb Calvert, who will bolster their attack. The other Homegrown player, 19-year old midfielder Marco Delgado, was selected by Toronto FC who many hadn't expected to fall to 14th.

Available during the Dynamo's selection, and a player that many fans felt could help in the center of defense, Andrew Jean-Baptiste was not selected by any club. The 21-year old defender underwent a tough year at Chivas but has experience on a stingy Portland squad from 2013. Jean-Baptiste was anticipated to be picked in the Top 10 but instead will likely enter into contract negotiations as part of an offseason draft. According to Darrell Lovell, the Dynamo did have an interest in midfielder Thomas McNamara, but DC United acquired the player with the 4th pick.

Players that were selected in the draft must be taken at full 2015 budget figures and any contract options must be exercised. Selected players can, however, be left unprotected in the December 10th Expansion Draft whereupon Orlando City SC or New York City FC can select and exercise contract options. In rules distributed this morning, MLS did also announce that the expansion clubs will be able to renegotiate contract figures with players selected in the Expansion Draft.

The glaring omission from the Dispersal Draft was, of course, forward Erick "Cubo" Torres. The Mexican International was withheld from the draft as the league continues to negotiate a long-term deal to keep the impressive striker in MLS. Nothing has yet been announced on the future of Cubo's playing career in MLS.

For the remaining players that were passed over this afternoon, they will be entered into the Re-Entry Draft or Waiver Draft, depending upon certain age and minutes eligibility requirements. For more information on these player transaction events, be sure to read the Dynamo Theory breakdown for this offseason.

Here is the complete list of Dispersal Draft selections from this afternoon:

ROUND ONE
1. FC Dallas - Dan Kennedy
2. New York City FC - Matthew Dunn
3. Sporting Kansas City - Pass
4. D.C. United - Thomas McNamara
5. New England Revolution - Pass
6. Montreal Impact - Donny Toia
7. Orlando City SC - Pass
8. Colorado Rapids - Caleb Calvert
9. San Jose Earthquakes -  Kristopher Tyrpak
10. Real Salt Lake - Pass
11. Houston Dynamo - Pass
12. Portland Timbers - Pass
13. Chicago Fire - Pass
14. Toronto FC - Marco Delgado
15. Columbus Crew SC - Pass
16. LA Galaxy - Pass
17. Philadelphia Union - Pass
18. New York Red Bulls - Pass
19. Seattle Sounders FC - Pass
20. Vancouver Whitecaps FC - Pass

All remaining teams passed in Round Two.