LA Galaxy releases Protected List: First impressions

MLS clubs have just released their lists of protected players in advance of the upcoming 2015 Expansion Draft.

The LA Galaxy have protected the following 11 players: Leonardo, A.J. DeLaGarza, Omar Gonzalez, Baggio Husidic, Stefan Ishizaki, Robbie Keane, Tommy Meyer, Juninho, Jaime Penedo, Robbie Rogers and Marcelo Sarvas. 

This means the following are eligible for selection on Wednesday: Todd Dunivant, Dan Gargan, Alan Gordon, Brian Perk, James Riley, Rafael Garcia, Brian Rowe, Charlie Rugg and Kyle Venter. Per the MLS expansion draft rules, teams can lose no more than two players in the expansion draft.

First impressions? Dan Gargan was a steal for LA at $48,500 and played a vital role this season. At the same time, who do you take off the list to replace him with? It's a tough call for the Galaxy.

Alan Gordon isn't cheap with a base salary of $185,000 but was a nice luxury to have. Unfortunately, he may be a victim of the salary cap budget. Quality left backs in this league are in short supply, making Todd Dunivant another potential target, but with injury troubles the past few seasons his stock has fallen, though at $145,000 he isn't as big of a liability financially.