MLS: Freddy Adu, Omar Bravo Head List of Players Exposed in Expansion Draft

MLS released the protected lists for all 18 teams ahead of the Expansion Draft for the Montreal Impact on Wednesday. What was interesting was some of the names that were left off of those lists.

What follows is my list of players that I might select if I were Montreal. I've chosen one player from each team. Not all of these players will be selected (the draft is only 10 rounds), and quite possibly, maybe none of them will be. I will try to give a pro and con for each of my selections.

Chicago Fire—Diego Cháves

Pro: The Uruguayan forward, who turns 26 in February, turned pro when he was 18, and has played in Uruguay and Mexico.

Con: Went almost six months without scoring, but then again, he probably wasn't the only one. The Fire scored 1 goal or less 21 times this season (including their friendly with Manchester United).

Chivas USA—Ante Jazic

Pro: Started all 28 matches in which he appeared and contributed seven assists from the defense.

Con: The Halifax, Nova Scotia native will begin the 2012 season having just turned 36.

Colorado Rapids—Sanna Nyassi

Pro: Will turn 23 at the end of January.

Con: You may disagree, but I'd like to see him put some more muscle on his 5'8" frame. The Gambian midfielder only weighs 145 lbs.

Columbus Crew—Emmanuel Ekpo

Pro: The Nigerian midfielder started all but three of the 32 matches he played in 2011.

Con: He led the team in cautions with eight.

DC United—Joseph Ngwenya

Pro: The Zimbabwean striker has been capped by his national team. He also appeared in a match for Bayern Munich.

Con: His best season in MLS was four years ago, scoring seven goals with three assists for Houston.

FC Dallas—Daniel Hernandez

Pro: The native Texan notched two goals and four assists in 30 matches (all starts) for the Hoops.

Con: Will turn 36 in June.

Houston Dynamo—Brian Ching

Pro: The big Hawaiian is a proven goal scorer and has played for the USMNT.

Con: He's said that 2012 may be his last year, making selecting him very risky.

LA Galaxy—Chad Barrett

Pro: Contributed seven goals and five assists to a very good Galaxy offense.

Con: Will be coming off of an injury. Dislocated a foot during training before Sunday's MLS Cup

New England Revolution—Pat Phelan

Pro: A physical defensive midfielder, he notched three assists in his 20 matches (15 starts).

Con: Wears Full 90 concussion headgear because of past issues.

NY Red Bulls—Mehdi Ballouchy

Pro: The Moroccan midfielder has a good passing touch and isn't afraid to get physical.

Con: Struggled to get playing time late in the season.

Interesting note: NY protected Rafa Marquez, but not even one of their four goalkeepers.

Philadelphia Union—Freddy Adu

Pro: Despite having been drafted in 2004 by DC United, he is only 22 years old.

Con: Will command a high salary, based on his talent and experience with the USMNT.

Portland Timbers—Sal Zizzo

Pro: Has been capped by the U.S. national team and started his pro career in Germany.

Con. Despite his potential, had trouble breaking into the Portland starting lineup.

Real Salt Lake—Andy Williams

Pro: Would provide Montreal with a veteran presence in the midfield.

Con: Will be 35 in September.

Side note: Williams has been around long enough to have played for the Miami Fusion. The Fusion were contracted after the 2001 season.

San Jose Earthquakes—Bobby Convey

Pro: Capped 46 times by the USMNT. Has played in the English Premier League.

Con: Last game was the end of August. Hasn't scored since May.

Seattle Sounders—Mike Fucito

Pro: Young forward with six goals and three assists in his second full campaign.

Con: Can't think of one at the moment. Haven't really seen him play yet.

Sporting Kansas City—Omar Bravo

Pro: Proven goal scorer in Mexico and MLS, finding the net nine times in his first MLS season.

Con: Salary. Bravo is a Designated Player and would command a hefty price tag.

Toronto FC—Mikael Yourassowsky

Pro: Fairly young Belgian defender who has trialed with FC Barcelona and played with Boca Juniors in Argentina.

Con: After coming off in the 58th minute against Sporting KC on July 23rd, played only 31 minutes as a sub for the rest of the season.

Vancouver Whitecaps—Joe Cannon

Pro: Had to pick a goalkeeper. Cannon is a goalkeeper.

Con: Played in Vancouver. Seriously, the team allowed 55 goals and only scored 35 and they were the only team in the league that failed to win a road game.

Okay, that's my list. What's yours?