RSL awaits the expansion draft

Could PK hero Robbie Russell be leaving RSL?
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)

With the Philadelphia Union set to join MLS as an expansion team in the 2010 season RSL submitted a list of players protected in the upcoming expansion draft on Wednesday. During the expansion draft, the Union will be able to draft ten unprotected players but only one player per team. RSL has selected to protect the the following eleven players: Kyle Beckerman (MF), Tony Beltran (D), Nat Borchers (D), Fabian Espindola (F), Robbie Findley (F), Will Johnson (MF), Javier Morales (MF), Jamison Olave (D), Nick Rimando (GK), Chris Seitz (GK), and Chris Wingert (D). MLS also allows developmental players in the Generation Adidas program to be protected but the two of the three RSL players in the program, Tony Beltran and Chris Seitz, graduated this year meaning neither player was automatically protected. Alex Nimo remains in the Generation Adidas program and will be protected from being drafted.

Both Raphael Cox and Jean Alexandre, RSL’s 2009 draft picks, were unprotected but with only limited minutes in 2009 it would be unlikely these players would be drafted with more proven players available to the Union. Andy Williams and Clint Mathis were also unprotected but with both players in their twilight of their careers they will also be unlikely targets for an expansion team.

The three most likely RSL targets left unprotected are Robbie Russell, Ned Grabavoy, and Pablo Campos. Robbie Russell, best known for scoring the winning penalty kick in the cup finals, served as a backup defender for most of the year but played the final three playoff games after an injury to Tony Beltran. Grabavoy served as midfield sub for RSL, getting the occasional start due to injury, but could be targeted by the Union if they want to add some experience to the midfield. Campos joined RSL from San Jose in midseason and played most when RSL deployed a 4-3-3 with Campos as a capable target forward in the center. The Union could decide to take Campos if they decide they want a tall target forward that has shown capability to score in MLS.

Interestingly RSL protected two goalkeepers in Nick Rimando and Chris Seitz. Seitz served as the backup for RSL throughout the season but the former first round pick was a top prospect coming out of college from the University of Maryland as he was a first choice goaltender for the U.S. National Youth Teams and was a member of U-23 Olympic team in 2008. It would appear unlikely that RSL will continue to keep both Seitz and Rimando, two keepers capable of starting, and may have protected Seitz to trade or sell him in the offseason.

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