Wednesday is the first of two drafts this off-season, the 2009 expansion draft.  It is almost impossible to know what is going on in Peter Nowak’s head at the moment, but I figured it would be fun to take a shot at building my own MLS franchise.  So have a look at who I would choose if I was the manager of the Philadelphia Union

 

 

Convey is from Philly and has national team experience, he will be a lock to be picked in the draft.  The only problem with this is he had trouble last year playing at San Jose and just doesn’t look like the Convey of old, and with a massive contract it could be trouble. Doesn’t matter though, he will be Philly’s first player

 

 

 

Iro is a monster centre back that still has better years ahead of him, his contract is really nice for a starter and could be even used as a backup.  Either way he is a good option to start a strong defence around

 

 

Young left back with American U20 experience, he has not lived up to expectations and carries a bit of a contract as he has just graduated Gen Adidas, but could be a nice addition to a new team.

 

 

The best pick of the draft (IF HEALTHY), he is a strong defender with a winning attitude.  He will teach the young defenders how to play and he still has a few years left. He had knee surgery last year but seems to be ready for next season and with the emergence of Boswell/Cameron in the middle there was no room for him.

 

 

I was really impressed with Besler last year in the combine, he is a young up and coming centre back, who could also be used in the d-mid role.  He is cheap, young and has value if you want to trade him.  No brainer pick.

 

 

Nyassi is a young, cheap player who can potentially start or come off the bench and help a young up and coming team.  Last year he was a threat with his speed coming off the bench late into games.  

 

 

I’m not sold on this pick; he has proven to be a headache in the past and has a massive contract, not to mention that he has something more important on his plate next year (captaining Honduras @ the world cup) but it is very rare to get a player who is at his caliber for free.  If the Union does select anyone from Toronto it will be Amado.

 

 

Peter Lowry is the cheap attacking option who can play in the middle when Amado is away at the World Cup.  Lowry has shown in stints that he can play in this league, and maybe he isn’t ready to start 30 matches, but he is a nice option to have come off the bench in a central role

 

 

After the performance he put in at the finals on Sunday, he has to be on the move to Philadelphia.  He and Robinson would be a nice core to start a defense around.  

 

 

This team is missing a holding midfielder and they may have an option in free agency.  But I think that Miglioranzi could be the best option out there.  I also thought Phalen could be the guy, but he has never really held a starting spot on a team just yet.

 

GK: Free Agency

LB: Anthony Wallace

CB: Eddie Robinson, Andy Iro, Matt Besler

RB: Robbie Russell  

LM: Bobby Convey  

CM: Peter Lowry, Amado Guevara, Stefan Miglioranzi  

RM: Sanna Nyassi  

F: Free Agency