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Ahead of Wednesday's expansion draft, the Los Angeles Galaxy have released their protected player list. Let's take a look, and then analyze below:
David Beckham; A.J. DeLaGarza; Landon Donovan; Todd Dunivant; Sean Franklin; Omar Gonzalez; Robbie Keane; Mike Magee; Juninho; Donovan Ricketts; Josh Saunders; Jack McBean (Homegrown Player)
Surprises? I predicted in the SBNation Soccer mock draft that Chad Barrett would be protected, as he was key down the stretch. Alas, no Barrett. In fact, it seems Bruce Arena has chosen to go with 2 goalkeepers, four defenders, four midfielders, and one forward.
If he didn't feel the need to protect two forwards, Arena could have go with Cardozo or Lopez. Yet it seems the Galaxy would rather hold onto two starter quality goalkeepers. I think this means a trade is imminent. Which to be fair, is the proper way to get value out of Ricketts.
The complete list of available players:
Sean Alvarado, Chad Barrett, Chris Birchall, Paolo Cardozo, Adam Cristman, Leonardo, Frankie Hejduk, Hector Jimenez, Bryan Jordan, Daniel Keat, Miguel Lopez, Dustin McCarty, Brian Perk, Dasan Robinson, Michael Stephens, Ryan Thomas
At lot of young talent there. I didn't protect Paolo Cardozo either in my mock list, and he was the first to go in the SBNation mock expansion draft. The good thing to note is that the Galaxy essentially protected their ideal Starting XI minus a forward. The Galaxy do have Jack McBean, but he's only 16.