The moment the final whistle sounds on MLS Cup on Sunday, there will be a new champion of MLS. That final whistle will also serve as the opening whistle on the MLS offseason. It’s an offseason that in some ways has already begun (with the Chivas USA dispersal draft) and one that is sure to be action packed with new teams entering the league and a new collective bargaining agreement to be negotiated.
On December 8, the day after MLS Cup, there will be a half day transfer window in which teams may trade or re-sign their own players. Once that window closes, no movement may be made until after the Expansion Draft on December 10. On the 10th, New York City FC and Orlando City SC will take part in the expansion draft to build their rosters for their inaugural season in 2015.
While the rules of the Expansion Draft are in no way simple (are MLS rules ever simple?), here’s the basics:
- Teams may protect 11 players from their Senior and Supplemental roster combined.
- Generation Adidas players who have not graduated at the end of 2014 are not available, nor are Homegrown players on the Supplemental roster.
- Designated Players with no-trade clauses must be protected and count as one of the 11 protected players.
So, with only 11 players able to be protected, it’s time to look at the Portland Timbers and examine who the Timbers are likely to protect and who they may leave unprotected. Here, I’ll examine the Timbers defense. Look for pieces on the midfield and forwards later this week. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll limit this discussion to players who made 1st team appearances for the Timbers this season.
Goalkeepers
Donovan Ricketts – Ricketts started 32 games, conceding 44 goals and earning 7 shutouts. He wasn’t bad in 2014, but he certainly wasn’t the GK of the Year Candidate he was in 2013. Given that he’s 37 and both NYCFC and OCSC have already signed GKs, Ricketts is unlikely to be selected, and the Timbers should and probably will leave him unprotected.
Andrew Weber – Weber did not look good in limited opportunities this season. With Jake Gleeson winning GK of the Year in USL-Pro, Weber’s days in Portland could be over. They’ll leave him unprotected, but he’s not getting taken.
Fullbacks and Center-backs
Jorge Villafana – Villafana started 17 games in 2014 and really locked down the LB position in the 2nd half of the season. His most consistent stretch of play coincided with Portland’s best defensive efforts and best run of form. He’ll be protected.
Jack Jewsbury – He’s 33 years old and lost his starting job to Alvas Powell this season. He’s a versatile, veteran presence who can play either side of defense and in the midfield, so Portland would probably love to have him back, but he’s no longer essential to the future, so he will be unprotected. While his age may deter NYCFC or OCSC from selecting him, his versatility and leadership make him a viable option.
Alvas Powell – At 20 years old Powell seems like the RB of the future if the Timbers can keep him around. Powell is a threat in the attack and an improving defender. His improved consistency helped him become a regular starter down the stretch and his high ceiling is why the Timbers will surely protect him in the Expansion Draft.
Michael Harrington – Similar to Jewsbury, Harrington lost his starting job this season. He’s another player the Timbers would love to have back but can’t afford to protect, so he’ll be unprotected. Similar to Jewsbury, he can play either side of defense, and at 28 could be an attractive option as a veteran presence who is a solid defender and contributes going forward.
Liam Ridgewell – Portland’s midseason DP acquisition is an interesting case. He was certainly an upgrade at CB for Portland, and could conceivably be the foundation of a good defense going forward if the Timbers can find an adequate partner. He’s a DP, so if he has a no trade clause he has to be protected. If he doesn’t have a no-trade clause, Portland could gamble and leave him unprotected. Both NYCFC and OCSC seem focused on adding big name, attacking DPs, meaning they’d be unlikely to take Ridgewell and Portland could use that protection spot on another player. That said, it’s a big risk and could be disastrous if Ridgewell is taken, which is why he’ll probably be protected. However, if I was GM, I’d take the chance. Would you?
Norberto Paparatto – The Argentine was signed in the offseason to be the Timbers answer at CB, but things did not go according to plan. While his performances improved as the season went on, he was by no means a shutdown defender. He may or may not be back in 2015, but he’ll certainly be unprotected.
Pa Modou Kah – After a 2013 season in which he joined the Timbers mid-season and was part of the “Great Wall of the Gambia,” Kah was a disaster in 2014. Portland will probably look to unload him in the offseason, so he’ll be unprotected. Given his cost, age, and recent play though, he almost certainly won’t be taken.
Rauwshan McKenzie – In the Timbers desperate, early season search for someone who wouldn’t be a disaster at CB they turned to McKenzie, among others. He wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t very good either. He’ll be unprotected, but also undrafted, and probably won’t return in 2015.
Danny O’Rourke – Another fill-in CB for the Timbers this year, O’Rourke was decent in his 10 starts, but not good enough to lock down a starting spot. He’ll certainly be unprotected. While O’Rourke is unlikely to be drafted, he’s an MLS veteran who can play both RB and CB, so he could be attractive to a team looking to build depth, but it’s not likely.
So that’s three defenders protected, with leaving eight players available to be protected between midfielders and forwards. Be on the lookout for those pieces in the coming days.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on twitter- @ericwalcott. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
Feel free to discuss this and other footy related articles with thousands at r/football.
