SEATTLE -- Seattle Sounders FC expanded their roster from four players to 14 with the completion of Wednesday's MLS expansion draft, adding to the squad with a group of veteran players as well as some young talent.
"The goal for the draft was to come out with a team that was extremely balanced, with a combination of experienced veterans and young guys with an enormous upside," said Sounders FC general manager Adrian Hanauer.
And as the team already had attacking players Sebastien LeToux, Freddie Ljungberg and Sanna Nyassi on their books, balance would involve building up the defense around goalkeeper Kasey Keller.
That meant Sounders selected four defenders, starting with defender Jeff Parke, who started 23 games for the MLS Cup runner-up New York Red Bulls. He's the odd man out in the draft, being the only free agent chosen by the Sounders. Parke will also spend the beginning of 2008 completing his 10-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy, but thanks to the Red Bulls' long playoff run, he would miss just the first four games of 2009.
"I spoke to him, and we had a previous relationship," said Sounders FC technical director Chris Henderson. "We're talking about the opportunity of staying in MLS and coming to Seattle. It'll take some time, but we'll see."
In addition to Parke, the Sounders also picked James Riley from the San Jose Earthquakes, who started 23 games in 2008; Nathan Sturgis from Real Salt Lake, who started three games; and Tyson Wahl from the Kansas City Wizards, who started 16 games in 2008.
"These are all guys who can play," said Henderson. "They're giving the team a balance that is very good. They're versatile, and we're looking forward to working with them."
Sturgis had been an injury concern, but according to Henderson, he is now in good shape. He was originally named to last summer's U.S. team to play in the Beijing Olympics, but not only was unable to play in China, he also played just one minute of first-team soccer for RSL after April.
"Nathan was a great youth national team player," said Henderson. "He's great at moving it from one side to the other. He's versatile and can play in the back. Barring injuries he would have been competing for an Olympic spot.
"He has great upside. His injuries have been largely muscular, and I had similar problems when I played," Henderson continued. "Having gotten through it, I never had a problem again. I'm happy and we're confident in our staff and trainers being able to work with him, and think he's a great pickup."
In the midfield, the Sounders also selected four players, including Brad Evans from the Columbus Crew, who played in 26 games (18 starts) for the MLS champions in his second season in MLS.
"We took him because he's an exciting central player, a big part of Columbus' season," said Henderson. "He's a great competitor and has a desire to improve. This was an important key for us."
Young midfielder Stephen King, who was a third-round selection of the Chicago Fire in the 2008 SuperDraft, was also taken. He played 20 games, starting eight, in his rookie season.
"He's one of those players that is a consistent player that you can rely on every day," said Henderson. "He's a good pro, great in the center of midfield and very composed in front of goal. We're really happy to have him and think that he is going to be very reliable."
Khano Smith of the New England Revolution and Peter Vagenas of the Los Angeles Galaxy round out the midfield picks. With Smith, a Bermuda international, comes power and pace in a wide position, and with Vagenas comes experience in a central role, having been in the league since 2000.
"He's a champion," said Henderson of Vagenas. "He's a great leader, a competitor who has been a winner at every level. Another veteran to help the younger players along is a great asset."
A strong midfield needs a good frontline to provide for, and the Sounders went for power and skill, choosing Nate Jaqua from the Houston Dynamo. Jaqua, arguably the biggest name player taken, played the second half of the season for the Dynamo after returning from a season spent in Austria. He scored four goals and tallied four assists in 15 games. He provides a towering 6-foot-3 target up front for the Sounders.
The other striker chosen, Jarrod Smith from Toronto FC, was perhaps more of a surprise. Having started only six games for Toronto in 2008, scoring once, he might not have been the first name to jump to many people's lips. Henderson, though, called him an "excellent forward candidate who is looking to move up with his national side" of New Zealand.
Balance was certainly the key to the draft, as Sounders FC mixed youth with experience, defense with attack -- not to mention being able to pick players that give them plenty of room under the salary cap.
"This is just one of the steps in building our team," said Hanauer. "We're also in discussions with USL and international players. We wanted to bring in players that would allow us to fit everyone under the salary cap and use our allocation budget wisely. We came into the draft prepared, picking players with skill, experience, youth and more. Ultimately it was an enjoyable and rewarding experience."
The Sounders have further opportunities to expand the squad with the MLS SuperDraft in January, and have the rights to USL players. More players will be added before training camp opens in late January, and the club hopes to name its coach before the end of the year.
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