2011 MLS Re-Entry Draft: LA Galaxy Meet The Noonans

I don't think anyone was expecting the LA Galaxy to go as all in to the 2011 MLS re-entry draft as they did, picking up a total of six players including Pat Noonan of Seattle Sounders FC. The name of the game was defending today, as the Galaxy look to shore up the roster with 50+ games on their schedule next year. None of these players are on the roster yet, LA only has the right to negotiate with them at this point.

The Galaxy took defender Andrew Boyens, last with Chivas USA, in the first round. He has 19 caps for New Zealand since 2006, and made 12 appearances with one goal for Chivas last year. They also took a defender with their first pick in the second round, Chris Leitch, who is old enough to have played on the Metro Stars. He's made 196 appearances in MLS, his last stint with the San Jose Earthquakes.

With the last pick in each round, that meant the Galaxy could take their pick of whatever scraps were left at the end of the draft. They went ahead and picked up Pat Noonan, former US National team player. The forward scored once in 21 appearances with Seattle the last two years. Extending the draft into a fourth round with only themselves allowed to pick, the Galaxy chose Jon Conway, backup keeper from the Chicago Fire. The Galaxy then went ahead and took back Dasan Robinson and Frankie Hejduk after no one offered to snatch them up.

So what does this all mean? Conway will go on the reserve squad, taking Brian Perk's spot as Perk bumps up to #2 keeper. Noonan seems like Cristman redux, which is understandable with Cristman still negotiating with the Galaxy. Cristman won't be able to negotiate his salary too much higher now.

The two defenders? Andrew Boyens makes a solid backup. Remember how thin the backline became after Leonardo went out with a season ending injury. There's no guarantee Hejduk does sign back with the team, and Berhalter's retired. Same with Leitch, but I don't think he's a lock to make the senior roster.

The nerve this draft seems to have touched with everyone is Sean Franklin's future. Franklin is out of contract, and it's assumed he has options overseas, but he hasn't made any moves to suggest he's looking to fly the coop. The other player needing a contract is Juninho, and of course there's the Beckham situation, but the Galaxy didn't go after any midfielders. Likely because there's a good amount of depth at that position on the team.

Outside of Juan Pablo Angel last year, the Re-Entry draft really isn't a splashy new signing draft. It's a way to shore up a roster, more than anything. Keep calm and carry on should be the word.