Friday, November 18, 2011

EXPANSION DRAFT PREVIEW

The Vancouver Whitecaps have released one player and signed a homegrown so far this offseason but Martin Rennie’s first step to strengthening the 2012 roster will come with the expansion draft.  Rennie knew the eleven players he would protect by the end of the post season training session but transactions before the draft could change that.  A number of teams would be unable to protect all the players they want and may not want to lose them for nothing.  The Caps could also make deals with the Impact before or after the draft for players they feel will upgrade their level of talent.

EXEMPT
Bryce Alderson
Philippe Davies
Nizar Khalfan
Michael Nanchoff
Omar Salgado
Brian Sylvestre
Russell Teibert

Of these players who are exempted due to being Generation Adidas or Homegrown players only Salgado, Teibert and Alderson should be considered untouchable as the others have questions.  One of those questions is if Michael Nanchoff fits in Rennie’s 4-3-3 formation at wing or in the central midfield.  Nizar Khalfan is taking up an international slot and will Rennie want to use that spot on a new acquisition somewhere else on the pitch.  A couple of residency players that may interest the Impact are Quebecer Phillipe Davies and Kyle Porter, who trailed with Montreal but MLS rights are owned by Vancouver.  Both players would help the Impact with Canadian quota numbers as they wait for their academy to bring in their homegrown talent.