Quakes expose Convey, Salinas to Expansion Draft
Kudos to Jeff Carlisle for identifying all the players the Earthquakes would protect, save one, in the expansion draft which will stock the Philadelphia Union with their first ten players later this week. My illustrious Center Line Soccer stablemate only missed the inclusion of defender Bobby Burling on the list, which was just released by the team this afternoon.
Off-limits to the groping hands of Philadelphia are the following:
Arturo Alvarez
Bobby Burling
Joe Cannon
Ramiro Corrales
Cornell Glen
Jason Hernandez
Ryan Johnson
Chris Leitch
Brandon McDonald
Andre Luiz Moreira
Ramón Sánchez
Shocking, isn’t it? I mean, honestly — who knew Andre Luiz had a last name?
Actually, the surprising part comes in the list of who the Earthquakes didn’t protect:
Quincy Amarikwa
Bobby Convey
Simon Elliott
Mike Graczyk
Darren Huckerby
Aaron Pitchkolan
Antonio Riberio
Jamil Roberts
Shea Salinas
Andrew Weber
Chris Wondolowski
Mike Zaher
Leaving Bobby Convey exposed is a calculated risk. It’s well known that he and Union head coach Peter Nowak just don’t like each other, so it’s unlikely that he’ll get picked in the draft unless Nowak can arrange an immediate trade to another MLS side. Convey’s high salary — his guaranteed compensation in 2009 totaled almost $250,000 — may also serve as a deterrent to bargain hunters around the league.
The team’s biggest gamble in my book is leaving Shea Salinas unprotected. While his game still has to grow before he can be considered a key player for the Quakes, he has shown a lot of progress in his two years with the club and, on top of that, has the unteachable gifts of speed and stamina that allow him to cruise the sidelines tirelessly every match.
Philadelphia makes their picks on Wednesday. Here’s hoping the line used in the Quakes’ 2009 advertising campaign — “Where’s Salinas?” — doesn’t take on a new meaning when the team takes the field in 2010.
Salinas ? Salinas? WTF ?
Probably the most surprising of all the players on that list….once again WTF ? >:(
Are they insane ?!?!?!?! Shea Salinas is going to be picked… we know it. This is a stupid move on Frank and John’s parts. I hadn’t lost faith in them throughout this season but really ?!?!?! What the……… ! Ugh !
I think you understated it: Salinas is a key player, at least he was by the end of the season.. And he improved only 200% as a player last season, his trajectory is skyward
Shea is just coming into his own and putting him on the unprotected list is a helluva gamble. Maybe Philly can’t afford to take him, maybe they will feel he is not senior enough for their core squad. Quakes fans will certainly hope so, is there another player the current fans have loved better (maybe Huck, maybe Joe…)?
either its (yet another) a boneheaded move or a calculated risk where they have a backup plan. i guess they figure we can’t lose both convey and salinas, but that implies they think convey will be our starter at LM?
Read Ives’ column:
http://www.soccerbyives.net/soccer_by_ives/2009/11/mls-expansion-draft-protected-lists-unveiled.html
“I’m sticking with my theory that some teams may have handshake deals in place with Philadelphia where they have already agreed on who the Union will take. What would be the benefit of doing that if you’re Philly? Teams with too many protectable players could have threatened to deal their surplus away ahead of today’s protection list deadline.”
And Convey is discussed a lot in the comments.
Seems very possible that Earthquakes and Union have already agreed which Quakes player will be taken – or that no Quakes players will be taken. If Convey and Nowak have buried hatchet, Convey may be heading home to Philly to get mojo back and excite the home town fans with the local boy.
Don’t assume that just because Salinas is exposed, it means that Philly may take him. Salinas may have told Philly that he will absolutely not play there and will transfer overseas (don’t know his contract status) – maybe he even has offer. There are a million scenarios where Frank/John *know* that Salinas won’t get picked.
All that said, I’d be sorry to see Salinas go. So I’m hopeful that Frank/John know something we don’t.
Oh, and there are very funny comments about how Riley may be doing a “3 in a row” with expansion drafts:
* 2008 – NE (?) -> SJ
* 2009 – SJ – > Seattle
* 2010 – Seattle -> Philly
I would not mind letting go of Salinas and Convey for a good, but I mean really good, Designated Player. Someone with international experience that can come in and provide that extra spark the Quakes have been missing.
But honestly, I’m more interested in “trading” Yalop and Doyle than any players at this point.
please let philly take convey, PLEASE!….i’m also a bit surprised and kinda bummed that salinas is on the exposed list. i still think he needs quite a bit to grow, but like it’s been said he’s got speed to burn. would like to think the rest of his game will come w/ experience, plus he’s entering his 3rd yr. and should be ready to explode.
I would much rather hang on to Shea and risk losing Burling.
That being said I would be suprised to see the Phily FO “encourage” Nowak to take Convey.
The consensus in the blogosphere seems to be between Salinas and Convey. I hope neither gets selected at this point, but fear that Shea may actually be a better pick from Phily’s perspective. Either selection will be a loss for the Quakes. Having depth on the wings is an important part of Yallop’s tactical set-up.
Shea’s gone. So long. WHY keep a one-footed Alvarez when Shea can play with both feet and has more youth on his side?
@ jetdog9
Maybe its because Alvarez is also young and can do more with one foot than Salinas can with two. I shall miss Salinas though. I saw a bright future in him. Lets hope this does not hurt us in the future.
well there goes the little depth we had on the wings. salinas hasn’t been all that great, but coming into his 3rd yr. i think he’s about to break out. again yallop & doyle keep finding ways to put us behind the eight ball.we are an f’ng joke.
See my comments above. Way to kill my faith in the organization, Frank/John.
When I said “I’m hopeful that Frank/John know something we don’t”..well, they clearly don’t know. Very frustrating.
What a stupid idea to leave Shea on the list! Now he is gone. We haven’t had much hope with many players but he was starting to play the way we wanted him to. The end of the season he was really taking it to the defense. Frank and Jon need to go. I thought things were a little confused when we drafted an injured player now we drop one of first draft pick. stupid stupid stupid!