A.K.A. Let’s Talk About Some Guys

After signing five players during the MLS trading period, Austin FC will have the opportunity to select five more players in the expansion draft. As with everything MLS, the expansion draft rules have their own quirks which you can read about here.

In this article, Los Verdes members speculate on who they would pick if they were in charge of the expansion draft process. There will be a full breakdown of who we actually acquired during the Capital City Soccer Show podcast later this week.

Chris Hague’s Picks

Clement Diop, Montreal - GK (Age 27): The eligible player list does not have the bounty of goalkeepers that we thought it might… *cough… Bono… cough* … but Diop is my pick of those who are available. He started 20 games for Montreal this year and looked good, despite having a squad with its share of inconsistencies issues in front of him. He’s a French-born, Senagalese international but wouldn’t take up an International spot, and his salary would be near $100,000.

Tsubasa Endoh, Toronto FC - MF (Age 27):  Endoh is a former Japanese youth international who played college ball at Maryland. He’s a skilled midfielder, but he has earned limited playing time in Toronto FC’s deep midfield. He just had his 2021 contract option exercised by TFC, and his 2019 salary was only $75,000, so he would be a very budget-friendly addition to Austin’s midfield depth.

Kamal Miller, Orlando City - FB (Age 23): Orlando has a few interesting players available in their unprotected list - I’ll look past Tesho and Uri to mention Miller, a 23-year-old left back who can also play center back if needed. The young Canadian has started 23 games over two seasons in Orlando, and he has also been a recent starter for the Canadian NT. Importantly, he would not take up an international roster spot. More importantly, his salary was just $56,000 in 2019. And most importantly, his Transfermarkt-listed value doubled during the 2020 season.

Yordy Reyna, D.C. United - FW (Age 27): It’s a surprise to see Reyna on the eligible player list after D.C. United so recently acquired him from Vancouver in exchange for $400,000 GAM and an international roster spot. The Peruvian NT player (25 appearances) moved to Vancouver in 2017, and although his scoring numbers aren’t prolific, he has shown himself to be a dynamic attacking player, tallying 20 goals and 17 assists for the Whitecaps. Of the players that I’m selecting, Reyna has the highest salary - making just over $700,000 in 2019 - and he is the only player that would take up an international roster spot.

Amro Tarek, New York Red Bulls - CB (Age 28): Tarek has been on our radar for a while, and I still think he would be a great pick. He’s been a third CB option at NYRB behind Aaron Long and Tim Parker, but he is a competent defender and would be a nice addition to Austin’s defense. He’s under contract through at least 2021, and his salary is reasonable, having earned $156,000 in 2019.

Soccer Analyst Chris Welhausen’s Picks

Clement Diop, Montreal - GK (Age 27). Since Toronto clearly heard the last Cap City Pod and apparently hates me and chose to protect Bono, I had to pick a different keeper and Diop is the clear choice to me. He's 27, was THIRD in the league last season for saves, and won't take up an international spot because of his time with the Galaxy.

Amro Tarek, NYRB - D (Age 28). Left footed CB who can also play LB, won't take up an international spot and isn't going to make a dent on the salary books. He's been largely pushed to the bench by Long and Parker at NYRB but has looked great when given the chance. He's one of the few available CB's on the list who I think could easily be a starter in the league. Sign him up, Claudio!

Oriol Rosell, Orlando City - CM (Age 28). A former Barcelona youth product who has experience in the league and fills a role at CDM which Austin not only needs but as Nashville showed this year, is a good role to fill with league experience. He's only 28 and I could see him being our starting CDM.

Wil Trapp, Inter Miami - MF (Age 27). As much as I want us to pick him just to spite Columbus, I actually think Trapp is a player we will pick up to flip in a trade. Minnesota is currently in talks with him and if I'm Reyna, I'm snagging him and trading him to MUFC for Jose Aja and some of that sweet, sweet GAM.

Joe Corona, LA Galaxy - MF (Age 30). 'll be real, this is my long shot guess. He's a 30 year old CM who has experience in both Liga MX and MLS. He runs a high salary at 500K but I think that Austin will both look at him as a solid piece in the midfield as well as a player who will help connect with the many Mexican-American soccer fans in Austin. It's a little outside the mold of what Reyna is looking for, but I could see it happening.

Jeremiah Bentley’s Picks

Clement Diop, Montreal - GK (Age 27). This one is probably pretty popular among the group. Diop is a Senegalese player who started almost every game for Montreal in 2020. He was among the league leaders in saves, and at age 27, appears to have a bright future in front of him. Diop was previously a part-time started in LA for the Galaxy in 2017.

CJ Sapong, Chicago - F (Age 31). Sapong has a long and successful career in MLS, and would immediately become one of the faces of the franchise. Sapong was Rookie of the Year in 2011 and scored double-digit goals as recently as 2019, with 13 goals. Sapong was also one of the leaders of the Black Players for Change which came to prominence in the league this year. It’s worth noting that he is a free agent and would be available through other means.

Amro Tarek, NYRB - D (Age 28). Tarek is a large physical presence at 6’3”, 194 lbs. and would slot in at left back in Austin, a position of need (as most as are this point). He’s seen regular time for Orlando and then Red Bulls over the last three seasons. With his age, there’s still plenty left in the tank.

Joe Corona, LA Galaxy - MF (Age 30). Joe Corona is another well known name to Austin fans, having spent time with the US National Team. He’s a 30 year old midfielder with extensive experience in Liga MX before joining LA Galaxy. He’s been a key part of the Galaxy’s midfield the last two years and is a versatile player.

Oriol Rosell, Orlando City - MF (Age 28). Rosell is another option in the midfield. He’s spent two stints in MLS, the most recent being with Orlando City. Rosell is a defensive midfielder and good passer. He had strong performances in 2018 & 2019 with Orlando City before falling out of favor in 2020.

A Guy Who Talks About Stuff on Podcasts Landon Cotham’s Pick’s

Oriol Rosell, Orlando City - MF (Age 28). Or if not him, Akindele

Joe Corona, LA Galaxy - MF (Age 30).

Ryan Meara, NY Red Bulls - GK (Age 30).

Tsubasa Endoh, Toronto - MF (Age 27).

Brandt Bronico, Chicago - MF (Age 25).