Sounders FC: James Riley among biggest names unprotected for Wednesday's expansion draft

The Philadelphia Union gets to choose one player from 10 different Major League Soccer teams Wednesday morning in the MLS expansion draft. On Monday, Sounders FC submitted its list of 11 players the Union won't be able to select for its inaugural roster.

Seattle's four MLS All-Stars, goalkeeper Kasey Keller, forward Fredy Montero, defender Jhon Kennedy Hurtado and midfielder Freddie Ljungberg made the list. Ljungberg, Sounders FC's designated player, was previously thought to be exempt from selection because of his status, but a miscommunication between the team's front office and the league regarding the expansion draft rules pertaining to the designated player forced the Sounders to protect Ljungberg or risk losing him.

Sounders FC also protected starting midfielders Osvaldo Alonso, Steve Zakuani and Brad Evans; starting defenders Leo Gonzalez and Tyrone Marshall, forward Nate Jaqua and defender Patrick Ianni, who played a key role off the bench this season.

More than half of the roster was left unprotected, the biggest name being starting right back James Riley. The 27-year-old, taken by Seattle in last November's expansion draft, is eligible for selection by an expansion team for the third straight year. In 2007 he went from New England to San Jose and last year from San Jose to Seattle.

Riley was tied for the most minutes played, outside of Keller, in 2009 and started 27 of 28 regular-season games, recording four assists.

Sounders FC general manager Adrian Hanauer said deciding who to leave unprotected was very difficult emotionally and that being the team that isn't choosing players is no fun.

"If we lose a player, we're going to be really disappointed," Hanauer said. "It was definitely a tough decision but there were a lot of tough decisions ... We're totally bummed that we may lose someone who's become part of the family. But whatever happens, we'll get through it."

Other Sounders not on the protected list included midfielder Sebastien LeToux, the first player ever to sign with the club, and forward Roger Levesque.

Schmid out of hospital

Sounders FC coach Sigi Schmid, who was diagnosed with pneumonia after being admitted to Overlake Hospital in Bellevue complaining of difficulty breathing last Thursday, was released from the hospital.

Schmid issued a statement through the club. "I'd like to thank all of the friends and fans for their good wishes," Schmid said "I'm feeling much better and I plan to spend the holiday with family and be back in the office next week."

Note

• Riley and defender Taylor Graham attended meetings with other MLS players union representatives regarding the league's collective-bargaining agreement, which expires at the end of January.