MLS will hold the Chivas USA Dispersal Draft on Wednesday, to distribute players of that team around the league. Ahead of the Dispersal Draft, here's a breakdown of players on the Chivas USA roster, as well as possible destinations for each player. You can find the draft order here.
GOALKEEPERS
Dan Kennedy
– Kennedy is sure to get picked up, as he’s been credited with stabilizing Chivas USA’s often-shaky defense over the years and has been an MLS All-Star and finalist for MLS Goalkeeper of the Year in the past. Though he won’t be a selection for a team up against the salary cap, he’s sure to be an upgrade at a number of clubs.
Would fit in well at: Montreal Impact, NYCFC, Houston Dynamo
Trevor Spangenberg – The rookie played 22 minutes for the first team in 2014, so it’s unclear if he’ll get much interest in the Dispersal Draft. However, he has a year of pro experience under his belt and could appeal to a team looking for a second or third ‘keeper.
Would fit in well at: Any team with an opening for a backup GK
DEFENDERS
Bobby Burling
– The 30-year-old has been around MLS, but he led all Chivas USA center backs in minutes in 2014. Lining up next to a parade of partners in the middle, Burling isn’t a speed merchant but has experience in spades. He showed his leadership late in the season to help the Goats finish on a high note and could be a solid veteran option on a number of teams.
Would fit in well at: Houston Dynamo, Sporting Kansas City, Colorado Rapids
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado – He was the final player added to Chivas USA’s roster in team history, coming over in a trade from Chicago. The Colombian has size and considerable experience in MLS, although he had an uneven 2014. Still, he could provide depth to an MLS team, at the very least.
Would fit in well at: Montreal Impact, Philadelphia Union, Orlando City
Andrew Jean-Baptiste – Injuries limited the youngster considerably in 2014, and his inability to get consistent minutes when healthy could give teams pause. Still, expect Jean-Baptiste to get selected in the Dispersal Draft, as the former Generation adidas product has experience in MLS to go with his ample potential.
Would fit in well at: Philadelphia Union, Columbus Crew, NYCFC
Akira Kaji – The former Japanese international probably went under the radar around MLS after arriving in California during the summer transfer window, but Kaji was arguably Chivas’ best defender after his arrival. The right back isn’t young – he’ll be 35 by the start of the 2015 season – but he could provide depth and competition for a number of MLS clubs. Plus, he’s good value for his skill level.
Would fit in well at: Sporting Kansas City, LA Galaxy, Chicago Fire
Tony Lochhead – Another veteran and former World Cup player, Lochhead did join Chivas in 2014 with prior MLS experience, with the New England Revolution from 2005-07. A starter at the beginning of the season who ended up losing his place in the lineup, Lochhead probably wouldn’t be a starting option in MLS anymore but could provide left back cover.
Would fit in well at: Vancouver Whitecaps, Colorado Rapids, Chicago Fire
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Michael Nwiloh – The rookie never saw competitive time in MLS with Chivas USA but showed signs of promise, particularly in a reserve-league game against eventual USL PRO champions Sacramento Republic FC. The center back probably won’t get interest in the Dispersal Draft, but he knows the ropes of the league, and there could be a front office out there with an eye on him.
Would fit in well at: Any team looking for young center-back depth
Donny Toia – The breakout star of Chivas USA’s defense in 2014, Toia remade his career, which stalled after signing a Homegrown contract with Real Salt Lake and subsequently being cut, by converting to fullback. Taking advantage of his chance when players ahead of him on the depth chart got injured, Toia became the starter at left back for 24 of Chivas’ final 27 games. The 22-year-old still has learning to do in his new position, but he put together a good season after entering with few expectations.
Would fit in well at: Orlando City, FC Dallas, New England Revolution
MIDFIELDERS
Leandro Barrera – Listed as a forward by the club, Barrera mostly played as a winger in 2014 and showed a mix of good and bad in his season with Chivas. He was adept at taking defenders on one-v-one in a way seldom seen in MLS and had considerable speed, but the Argentine, on loan from Argentinos Juniors, rarely connected on his numerous crosses. It’s unclear if a team would be willing to take Barrera on permanently, but there’s a chance somebody in MLS wants to work on polishing up that potential.
Would fit in well at: FC Dallas, Portland Timbers, Columbus Crew
Marvin Chavez
– The speedy winger had an inconsistent 2014 and won’t be light on a team’s wallet, but he brings MLS experience and some quick flank play to the equation. The 30-year-old may need to adjust his game to stay relevant, but given the right situation he could definitely still contribute in MLS.
Would fit in well at: Toronto FC, Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union
Marco Delgado – One of two Homegrown signings on Chivas USA’s roster in 2014, Delgado has a ton of MLS experience for a 19-year-old and has played both fullback positions and across the midfield in his 37 appearances since 2012. Delgado could stand to bulk up some more, although he has taken his lumps against players much older than him pretty well so far, and has potential in spades. He’ll most likely get taken in the Dispersal Draft, and it will be interesting to see how his development progresses in 2015 and beyond.
Would fit in well at: D.C. United, Vancouver Whitecaps, Real Salt Lake
Matthew Dunn – Played his way into Wilmer Cabrera’s lineup late in the season, pleasing some of the youth soccer superfans out there. Dunn’s still a prospect in MLS, really, but his age (20) and previous European training could prove enticing to a team in the Dispersal Draft.
Would fit in well at: Colorado Rapids, Portland Timbers, Toronto FC
Thomas McNamara – The rookie with the unforgettable mullet had his first pro season cut short with an ACL tear, but he should be in shape to be back in action for training camp in 2015. A midfielder who appeared to have versatility to play pushed up and back in the center, McNamara is a scrapper who should still be able to catch opponents by surprise with his skill from time to time.
Would fit in well at: San Jose Earthquakes, D.C. United, New York Red Bulls
Oswaldo Minda – The kind of player only fans of his own team will love, Minda is coming off a year in which he started in the World Cup and showed his destroyer skills by leading the league in yellow cards once again. Teams with dominant ball-winning midfielders won’t be interested, but there are a number of teams that would see an upgrade with the relatively affordable Minda.
Would fit in well at: Chicago Fire, San Jose Earthquakes, Montreal Impact
Agustin Pelletieri – A holding midfielder who is far less physical than Minda, Pelletieri slotted into MLS very quickly in his season with Chivas USA and showed poise and leadership skills on a rebuilding team. The counterargument is that the Argentine may not be substantially better than most options around MLS, but a consummate professional who seemed to take on the challenge of playing in a new league with gusto could prove enticing to an MLS team.
Would fit in well at: Orlando City, Montreal Impact, FC Dallas
Nigel Reo-Coker
– The Englishman was Chivas USA’s highest-paid player on the season, and his high price tag will probably keep interested MLS teams away. Still, after stagnating through the first two-thirds of the season in Vancouver, Reo-Coker enhanced his prospects by finishing the season well for Chivas. Teams looking for a vocal on-field general may opt for NRC.
Would fit in well at: Chicago Fire, NYCFC, New York Red Bulls
Martin Rivero – The 25-year-old Argentine has shown considerable talent in his MLS career to date, but injuries ended his spell in Colorado and derailed his season with Chivas. Tearing his ACL at the end of June, Rivero still has enticing potential, but can an MLS team take a chance on the playmaker with such an checkered injury history?
Would fit in well at: Seattle Sounders, San Jose Earthquakes, LA Galaxy
Nathan Sturgis – The very definition of an MLS journeyman (he’s the record-holder for playing on the most teams in the league), Sturgis is a hard-working midfielder who doesn’t possess a great deal of flash but can solidify the middle of the park. Could a reunion with Oscar Pareja, the coach he had a career year for in 2013, be in the cards?
Would fit in well at: FC Dallas, San Jose Earthquakes, New England Revolution
FORWARDS
Luis Bolaños – After being delayed by visa issues, the Ecuadorian, brought in on loan during the summer transfer window, only played in three games after arriving in California in September. He has had a decent career to date but didn’t really show much in just 51 minutes, all off the bench, with Chivas USA.
Would fit in well at: A team looking to take a chance on an experienced South American striker.
Felix Borja – OK, so Chivas USA’s leading striker, Erick “Cubo” Torres, won’t be involved in the Dispersal Draft, but don’t sleep on their second-leading scorer. Borja is also on loan from Ecuador, and the option to buy may give some MLS teams pause, but he finished the season stronger than anybody, scoring three goals in the final four games (and really, an own goal call prevented it from being four in five games). The 31-year-old slotted into MLS well, and with his jumping ability and poaching instincts, could help a number of teams.
Would fit in well at: Columbus Crew, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers
Caleb Calvert
– Chivas USA’s other Homegrown player on the roster in 2014 never played a competitive minute for the Goats, but the big 18-year-old will probably get some interest. A former national U-16 player of the year, Calvert showed some tantalizing glimpses of his potential at the Chipotle Homegrown Game in August and has a good chance of being selected, before likely heading to USL PRO for some experience.
Would fit in well at: Sporting Kansas City, D.C. United, Houston Dynamo
Jose Correa – The Colombian didn't see any time with Chivas USA in 2014 due to a combination of a loan stint in Argentina and tearing his ACL while on loan. Showed the most promise with Chivas USA in 2012, but is still young and could entice an MLS team looking to take a chance on someone at forward.
Would fit in well at: Any team looking for a young striker with some MLS experience
Ryan Finley – Scored two goals across all competitions for Chivas after joining in a midseason trade from Columbus, but he never built a great deal of chemistry with his strike partners. Maybe he hasn’t found the right situation in MLS yet, but the former Notre Dame product really needs to find a destination that fits his ability and style.
Would fit in well at: Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union
Kristopher Tyrpak – Playing a little at the beginning and end of the season, the rookie striker didn’t play many minutes (just 156 in MLS) but notched a nice goal and an assist in that stretch. He would be a project but could attract MLS interest with his potential in a variety of roles in attack and resume as a former USL PDL MVP.
Would fit in well at: Houston Dynamo, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders
