MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact threw a few surprises into their picks in Wednesday's Expansion Draft, selecting several marquee names, including Houston's Brian Ching and Philadelphia's Justin Mapp.
Ching has gone on the record to say he would not move to Montreal if picked. How that will play out remains to be seen, and Montreal coach Jesse Marsch said he is still open to various options.
Mapp was one of two high-profile Union players on offer, the other being Freddy Adu. On Tuesday, Marsch indicated that Adu was a possibility, but in the end, chose his teammate, who does not come with as high a salary and is more established in the league on the field.
Elsewhere, Marsch chose to bolster the backline, acquiring San Jose centerback Bobby Burling, Columbus left back Josh Gardner, Sporting KC left back Seth Sinovic, Vancouver right back Jeb Brovsky, and Chivas USA right back Zarek Valentin.
The selection of Colorado midfielder Sanna Nyassi provides some good speed on the flanks, and Real Salt Lake's Collen Warner is an up-and-coming attacking midfielder who showed flashes in 2011.
The final pick, Seattle right back James Riley, was shipped to Chivas USA immediately in exchange for forward Justin Braun and midfielder Gerson Mayen.
PLAYER |
NOTE |
|
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/headshot-brovsky.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/jeb-brovsky">Jeb Brovksy</a></h1><strong>Pos: D/M | Age: 23</strong><strong>Former club: Vancouver</strong><strong>Career:<br>
GP 24 | G 0 | A 1</strong> |
<p>A converted midfielder who showed promise in his rookie year in Vancouver. A good engine and a youthful willingness to get forward from the right outside back position.</p><p><strong>WATCH:</strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21312">Brovsky highlights</a></p> |
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/headshot-burling.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/bobby-burling">Bobby Burling</a></h1><strong>Pos: D | Age: 27</strong><strong>Former club: San Jose</strong><strong>Career:<br>
GP 71 | G 1 | A 2</strong> |
<p>A big presence in the center of the Quakes defense in 2011. He has gotten physically stronger and developed his positional sense in recent years. Was once a teammate of Marsch's at Chivas USA.</p><p><strong>WATCH: </strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21313">Burling highlights</a></p> |
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/headshot-ching.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/brian-ching">Brian Ching</a></h1><strong>Pos: F | Age: 33</strong><strong>Former club: Houston</strong><strong>Career:<br>
GP 189 | G 77 | A 28</strong> |
<p>Winner of three MLS Cup trophies, the Big Kahuna brings experience and a targetman’s nous. Injuries limited him to just 20 games in 2011, but scored 5 goals and was instrumental in Houston’s run to MLS Cup final.</p><p><strong>WATCH: </strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21314">Ching highlights</a></p> |
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/joshgardner.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/josh-gardner">Josh Gardner</a></h1><strong>Pos: D | Age: 29</strong><b>Former club: Columbus</b><strong>Career:<br>
GP 43 | G 3 | A 5</strong> |
<p>Honest defender with years of experience in MLS and the lower divisions. Possesses a rocket of a shot when allowed to unleash it on freekicks.</p><p><strong>WATCH: </strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21315">Gardner highlights</a></p> |
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/headshot-mapp.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/justin-mapp">Justin Mapp</a></h1><strong>Pos: M | Age: 27</strong><strong>Former club: Philadelphia</strong><strong>Career:<br>
GP 221 | G 18 | A 44</strong> |
<p>Crafty left-footed 27-year-old with years of pro experience. Has the talent to be a game changer if given the freedom to roam.</p><p><strong>WATCH: </strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21316">Mapp highlights</a></p> |
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/120079036.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/sanna-nyassi">Sanna Nyassi</a></h1><strong>Pos: M/F | Age: 22</strong><strong>Former club: Colorado</strong><strong>Career:<br>
GP 64 | G 7 | A 8</strong> |
<p>Speed, speed, and more speed. But the Gambian international has also honed his skills and is now one of the most dangerous wingers in the league.</p><p><strong>WATCH: </strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21317">Nyassi highlights</a></p> |
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/headshot-riley_0.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/james-riley">James Riley</a></h1><strong>Pos: D | Age: 29</strong><strong>Former club: Seattle</strong><strong>Career:<br>
GP 178 | G 2 | A 14</strong> |
<p>Tough, well traveled right back who became a fan favorite in Seattle with his uncompromising play and embracing of the local community.</p><p><strong>TRADED:</strong> To Chivas USA for Justin Braun and Gerson Mayen.</p><p><strong>WATCH: </strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21311">Braun & Mayen highlights</a></p> |
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/headshot-sinovic.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/seth-sinovic">Seth Sinovic</a></h1><strong>Pos: D | Age: 24</strong><strong>Former club: Sporting KC</strong><strong>Career:<br>
GP 40 | G 0 | A 0</strong> |
<p>An afterthought in his rookie season in New England, he moved to KC and became the regular left back. Brings energy and grit.</p><p><strong>WATCH: </strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21318">SInovic highlights</a></p> |
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/headshot-valentin.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/zarek-valentin">Zarek Valentin</a></h1><strong>Pos: D | Age: 20</strong><strong>Former club: Chivas USA</strong><strong>Career:<br>
GP 25 | G 0 | A 0</strong> |
<p>Youth, speed, good touch, personality, and international experience -- he has the potential to be the complete package at right back.</p><p><strong>WATCH: </strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21319">Valentin highlights</a></p> |
<img src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/player_profile_headshot/players/head-shots/headshot-warner.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px; "> |
<h1><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/collen-warner">Collen Warner</a></h1><strong>Pos: D | Age: 23</strong><strong>Former club: Real Salt Lake</strong><strong>Career:<br>
GP 37 | G 0 | A 5</strong> |
<p>Young, skillful midfielder who saw some real minutes in 2011, deputizing for the injured Javier Morales. Can score or play set-up man.</p><p><strong>WATCH: </strong><a href="/videos?catid=114&id=21320">Warner highlights</a></p> |
