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Joshua Mayers is the Seattle Sounders FC writer for The Seattle Times. Watch for his coverage of the team, Major League Soccer and soccer around the world.
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Looking at the Sounders who weren't on protected list
Posted by Jose Romero
Biggest shocker for me was James Riley. Perhaps the need to protect Freddie Ljungberg forced James off the list. Interesting that Riley has also been unprotected by his two previous clubs in the expansion draft, San Jose and New England. No way could this be character issues, at least from what I see. The guy does so much off the field.
As for on the field, Riley was if nothing else one of the most durable and fit guys on the club. 2,334 minutes, tied for most of a field player with Jhon Kennedy Hurtado. I would not be surprised if the Union took him.
Big names not protected: Vagenas, Levesque, Le Toux, King, Nyassi, Wahl, Boss, Sturgis, Scott. You have to leave some key reserves off the list despite how clutch they were, like Levesque. Vagenas is a good backup to have for Schmid but expendable with the four midfielders on the protected list. Wahl, Sturgis and Scott lost their left back spot to Leo Gonzalez and it's his position now. Nyassi wore down toward the end of the season. Terry Boss never could get on the field but I think he'll be back to battle for the No. 2 keeper spot in camp.
A lot of potential in Neagle, Fucito and Evan Brown but Philly will look for more experience, I would think. Taylor Graham's injury situation from this year probably takes him off Philly's list, too.
Looks like Sounders FC wanted to keep a lot of its top defenders around, as that was the real strength of the team this year.
UPDATE - 8:32 AM
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