Reaction to Expansion Draft Pouring In

It's been just about 9 hours since the Union announced the ten players they chose in today's MLS expansion draft. There has since been a wide range of response across the Internet about whether or not team manager Piotr Nowak, assistant coach John Hackworth and company chose the best possible players.

"Best" is a funny word when it comes to sports, though. Certainly, one could go through the pool of players who were left unprotected by their teams and find many who have better statistics than several of those chosen by the Union. Defender Dave Myrie from Chicago Fire, for example, hasn't played a single minute in the MLS. Not one. But what statistics for an individual (or lack thereof) won't tell you is their style of play. Nowak has commented that he already has a good idea about the type of team he's trying to build, and with that in mind, he chose the players available in the expansion draft that he and his staff thought would "best" fit the identity they're forming. Throughout professional team sports, a good chunk of players perform much better under certain systems, and vice-versa. It's Nowak's job to assemble a team that will provide optimal performance under his system.

With that in mind, after the jump I've compiled a sampling of the reactions to the first ten players chosen to play for the Philadelphia Union. I will be sharing my own thoughts tomorrow.

Not sure how I feel yet. They aren't spending a lot of money with those picks, some guys who were available that looked like they could contribute right away were left off the list. I hope Nowak has bigger plans (foreign signings) because this lineup as of right now will not likely compete in the first year.

Ski Fast

I like Nowak and think he is an excellent coach, but this is one of the worst examples of player selection I have ever seen. Is he trying to assemble a B team first? Yes, he has a lot more players coming, but this is a major part of his team. Based on this group Philadelphia would be a laughing stock.

aristotle

While I am very excited that the Philadelphia Union is now one step closer its inaugural season, I am a little disappointed at some of the names left off the expansion roster, most notably Ricardo Clark from Houston Dynamo. He's a young, dynamic, one-day-U.S.-nationa l-team-regular and goes unprotected yet Philly doesn't take him?? He is already, in my opinion, one of the better mid-fielders in major league soccer and still has atleast another 10 good years left in him. Of course I could be eating my words a year from now, but I just feel like this was a blown opportunity...

Cyborace

It's a bit of an underwhelming list of players. This squad will need the addition of further signings, players currently off the rumors radar, to be competitive next season. But there is a handful here who can and will contribute.

CyphaPSU

When Seattle made their picks there were only two or three I disagreed with, Vagenas for example was one. Here I have know idea where Nowak is heading. 

madmax