Who will Real Salt Lake protect in expansion draft?
Published on Nov 14, 2011 10:36AM
It's time to think like Real Salt Lake president Bill Manning and the rest of the team's front office. Which 11 players will RSL protect in the upcoming 2011 MLS Expansion Draft, which will take place on Nov. 23 for the expansion team Montreal Impact.
Like all teams, RSL will be allowed to protect 11 players as well as 17-year-old Luis Gil, a Generation Adidas player. Homegrown players Donny Toia and Nico Muñiz are also protected.
There are no-brainers. Nick Rimando, Jamison Olave, Nat Borchers, Will Johnson, Javier Morales, Kyle Beckerman, Alvaro Saborio and Fabian Espindola. Who among Ned Grabavoy, Tony Beltran, Robbie Russell and Andy Williams will be left off the list of 11?
How about the young colt defender Chris Schuler, who emerged this season as a genuine MLS prospect?
Quite a few questions. We'll know the answers Nov. 21 when teams are required to reveal the list. One thing, teams will only lose one player to the draft. Once one is taken, the rest are protected.
martyr@sltrib.com
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