The 2016 MLS expansion Draft is upon us. With this, the New York Red Bulls have released their 11-man protection list for the upcoming draft. In the draft, MLS newcomers Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC will be drafting for the upcoming 2017 MLS Season. Both sides will get five picks from existing rosters who’s players are “unprotected” so they can start building their rosters. Atlanta United will be picking first out of the two clubs.
New York Red Bulls Expansion Draft Protection List Review
Protected List
Goalkeepers (2): Luis Robles, Ryan Meara
Defenders (2): Aurelien Collin, Kemar Lawrence
Midfielders (5): Dax McCarty, Sacha Kljestan, Felipe Martins, Mike Grella, Daniel Royer
Forwards (2): Bradley Wright-Phillips, Gonzalo Veron
Homegrown List
(Players under homegrown contracts are also protected)
Tyler Adams, Brandon Allen, Sean Davis, Derrick Etienne Jr., Alex Muyl, Connor Lade
Unprotected List
Anatole Abang, Gideon Baah, Justin Bilyeu, Omer Damari, Chris Duvall, Aaron Long, Karl Ouimette, Damien Perrinelle, Kyle Reynish, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Sal Zizzo, Ronald Zubar
The Good
Mike Grella
The Red Bulls made several good moves on this list. First, the protection of Mike Grella could be huge. Despite looking shaky for most of the season, statistically Grella had a solid year. Scoring seven goals to go along with six assists, Grella was not far off fro his 2015 campaign in which he tallied nine goals and seven assists.
The biggest question is which Mike Grella will show up in 2017. While statistically his first two seasons are similar, it was clear that 2016 was a frustrating one for Mike Grella. After a red hot start to the season Grella virtually disappeared for the final two-thirds of the season. Either way, this is a win-win for the Red Bulls. If the 2015 Mike Grella shows up it will be a good call by the Red Bulls. If not, there is no doubt that somebody would trade for Grella. The Red Bulls already have a tremendously deep mid-field and a struggling Grella would more or less not be missed. At least now they could get something in return should they part ways if Grella struggles. Were Grella to be left off the protection list, he would no doubt be on both clubs radar.
Aurelien Collin
While the two sides have yet to come to a contract agreement, Collin being on this list should be a good sign for Red Bulls fans. If Collin was for certain not returning to the team with an expiring contract, he would have been left off the protected list. Collin being protected for the most part indicates the two sides are at least in negotiations. Collin was hands down the Red Bulls best defensive player last season. The Red Bulls would certainly take a loss letting Collin leave the club.
The Questionable
Kemar Lawrence
Lawrence being protected is certainly a questionable move. Last season for Lawrence was certainly a mediocre one at best. Coming off a strong 2015 Season a lot was expected out of the Jamaican International. However, an injury suffered at Copa America Centenario the season never really got going. While he showed glimpses of his former self defensively, he struggled mightily going forward.
Lawrence has great pace, however, his crossing was very much abysmal and very rarely hit a Red Bulls player in the box. The stats reflected it as he recorded neither a goal or an assist. Connor Lade, who is protected by the homegrown contract rule, is just as good defensively and brings more to the table going forward. While Lade is returning from injury, Lade should be given the nod over Lawrence for left fullback position
Chris Duvall
If any defender could replace Lawrence on the protected list, Chris Duvall should have the spot. Coming back from a broken tibia, many wondered if Duvall would ever be the same player. It took him a while to get going but he really came into form going into the end of the season. Scoring a goal while adding an assist offensively Duvall has made the right fullback position his.
Gonzalo Veron
It is definitely a puzzling sight seeing Veron protected. Veron being protected essentially means the Red Bulls intend to use hi at the club. The biggest question is in what role? Veron was without a doubt one of the Red Bulls best wingers on the team last season. When the Red Bulls got to focused trying to go central, Veron gave the team a new dynamic and did a lot with the little time he saw this season. He scored three goals in MLS play in this past season and played a big role in the Red Bulls advancing to the Quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions’ League. Time will only tell how the Red Bulls plan to use the Argentine.
