With the MLS expansion draft looming, the Vancouver Whitecaps have some serious decisions to make. They could lose a player in the draft, and they essentially have eleven players they can make “safe”, as in, they cannot be chosen. So who do the Whitecaps protect? For starters, not every player is eligible to be snookered away from the Caps in the draft. Some players fall under certain exempt categories, and therefore cannot be taken. Those players include Phillipe Davies, Michael Nanchoff, Nizar Khalfan, Omar Salgado, Brian Sylvestre and Russell Teibert.
That still leaves a number of useful players on the Whitecaps vulnerable, so let’s take a look at who should be safe.
SAFE
Jay DeMerit had an up and down year, battling injuries all year and even getting publicly called out by his head coach. However, when Demerit is good, he’s arguably the best defender on the Caps roster. Throw in the fact that he’s Captain, and a damn good one at that, and it’s not unreasonable to say that he’ll be safe come draft time.
Camilio is a no brainer. He lead the Whitecaps in goals, was their most consistent offensive threat all year and ended the year hotter than a chilli pepper. He was also the recipient of a slew of Whitecaps awards, so expect him to be protected.
Alain Rochat had some injuries this year as well, so we didn’t always get to see his full potential. However, he showed enough to make it clear that a full season of Demerit and Rochat healthy is enough to make Whitecaps fans salivate.
Eric Hassli had a disappointing end to the campaign, not scoring a goal in the final two months of the season. Still, the big Frenchman has sky is the limit talent and potential and he did hit double digits in goals. If he can deliver the goods over a full season, it gives the Caps a deadly one two punch up front.
Gershon Koffie was the most impressive young player on Vancouver in 2011. With Vancouver lacking talent in the midfield, it is 100% certain that he will be protected.
Jordan Harvey quietly put together a decent campaign for the boys in blue. Despite not having the flash of Rochat or Demerit, Harvey stepped up his play when one of those two was injured. Given that he can play as a left back, left sided midfielder and even at centre back in a pinch, he is a very nice option to have on the team.
Long Tan had a terrific end to the season, stealing away Eric Hassli’s starting position, something that in the middle of the year seemed unthinkable. He’s shifty, quick, and creates room for his teammates. The thought of having him for a full year is an exciting prospect.
Davide Chiumiento is a skilled play maker who adds nice depth up front should also be protected. His lack of attention to defence is a concern, but his game breaking ability does make him an asset worth protecting.
Gershon Koffie was the most impressive young player on Vancouver in 2011. With Vancouver lacking talent in the midfield, it is 100% certain that he will be protected.
ON THE BUBBLE
Joe Cannon had an average year, but he may have been the victim of a bad situation. When you’re the goaltender on a bad team, the odds of having nice stats aren’t exactly good. Cannon may go unprotected just because Montreal might not want to spend a pick up a man of Cannons age who has a fairly big salary attached to him. Losing him would be disappointing, but not crippling.
Atiba Harris missed most of the season due to injury but looked very good early in the year and he was recently named as the first player re-signed by the team for 2012. Vancouver could gamble that Montreal will be scared off by his injuries endured last year.
Shea Salinas didn’t have an awful year, just not a great one. He’s quick, defensively responsible and can create space for his teammates, but he also can become invisible for stretches if last season is any indication. His character, work ethic and ability to play both ends of the pitch will likely have Vancouver leaning towards protecting him.
Mustafa Jarju had a very disappointing year. He did not record a point and I honestly can’t remember a point in any game when I thought he looked particularly dangerous. Sure, his potential is enticing, but the fact of the matter is that he looked lost whenever he stepped on the Bell pitch. Whitecaps management may want to cut their losses now, but they may also want to keep him around another season just to fully evaluate him and give him a solid training camp with Martin Rennie. Furthermore, leaving their recently signed DP exposed would be somewhat embarrassing for the Whitecaps brass.
John Thorrington ended the season on a strong run of form and appeared to be a favourite of former Head Coach Tom Soehn. Whether or not he is exposed will likely depend on the impression that incoming Head Coach Martin Rennie has of him, how much he rates the veteran experience Thorrington brings and how he might fit into Rennie’s system.
Michael Boxall had a pretty good rookie year in which he played more than the Whitecaps probably hoped that he would have. He has the physical attributes to be a solid central defender. He’s on the bubble due to the fact that Vancouver’s back line was so poor and the team may want to make wholesale changes to it.
Pete Vagenas is a tough call. He’s a proven winner, having already won two MLS cups, but at the same time, his year was less than stellar and the midfield was an area of the team that was crying out for players of higher quality. Of all the players on the bubble, he is the most likely to be exposed.
SURE TO BE EXPOSED
Jay Nolly, Jonathan Leathers, Greg Janicki, Carlyle Mitchell, Bilal Duckett, Jeb Brovsky
So let the MLS expansion draft begin! No one likes losing players, but hey, at least it’s to another Canadian team.
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