MLS Vancouver Whitecaps FC

Whitecaps FC Reveal Protected Player List for Tuesday's MLS Expansion Draft

Published on December 10, 2018 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Vancouver Whitecaps FC News Release


VANCOUVER, BC - Vancouver Whitecaps FC announced on Monday the list of 11 protected players for this year's MLS Expansion Draft on Tuesday, December 11.

In addition to the 11 protected players, the 'Caps also have eight players who are exempt from the Expansion Draft due to their Homegrown status or in the case of recently-acquired Andy Rose, his contract not beginning until 2019.

The club also confirmed on Monday that striker Kei Kamara will not be returning for the 2019 season. Kamara has opted out of free agency and opted into Friday's MLS Re-Entry Draft. He is also eligible to be selected in the Expansion Draft.

"Kei was an important part of the team last year and we're thankful for his time at the club," said head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We evaluated what we want in this position for next season, while also keeping in mind the medium and long term. We are looking for characteristics that are very specific as a whole. We wish Kei all the best."

Expansion side FC Cincinnati can select up to five players from the eligible pool. Once one player has been claimed from a club's non-protected roster, that club is eliminated from the Expansion Draft and may not lose any further players. The five teams who had players selected by the Los Angeles Football Club during the 2017 MLS Expansion Draft are exempt from the 2018 Expansion Draft: Columbus Crew SC, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, Sporting Kansas City, and Toronto FC.

FC Cincinnati's Expansion Draft selections will be announced live on Tuesday at 11 a.m. PT during a selection show on MLSsoccer.com.

Whitecaps FC Protected Players:

1. Anthony Blondell (FW)

2. Brett Levis (LB)

3. Victor 'PC' Giro (LB)

4. Doneil Henry (CB)

5. Erik Hurtado (FW)

6. Zac MacMath (GK)

7. Felipe Martins (CM)

8. Jake Nerwinski (RB)

9. Yordy Reyna (AM)

10. Cristian Techera (W)*

11. Kendall Waston (CB)

*Whitecaps FC maintain Techera's MLS rights after extending a Bona Fide Offer

Automatically Protected Players:

1. Theo Bair (FW) - Homegrown, 2019 signing

2. Michael Baldisimo (CM) - Homegrown

3. Simon Colyn (AM) - Homegrown

4. Maxime Crépeau (GK) - Homegrown

5. Sean Melvin (GK) - Homegrown

6. David Norman Jr. (CM) - Homegrown

7. Andy Rose (CM) - 2019 signing

8. Russell Teibert (CM) - Homegrown

Unprotected Players:

1. Jose Aja (CB)1

2. Myer Bevan (FW)1

3. Marcel de Jong (LB)

4. Roberto Dominguez (CB)1

5. Marvin Emnes (W)1

6. Sean Franklin (RB)2

7. Aly Ghazal (CM)1

8. Efraín Juárez (CM)

9. Kei Kamara (FW)2

10. Stefan Marinovic (GK)1

11. Aaron Maund (CB)1

12. Jordon Mutch (CM)1

13. Brian Rowe (GK)2

14. Brek Shea (W)1

1 2019 option was not exercised

2 Out of contract

Check out the Vancouver Whitecaps FC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Major League Soccer Stories from December 10, 2018


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central