Expansion Draft: Boom or Bust?

Who won the expansion draft?

That's the question that lingers over this first weekend of the MLS off-season.

While it will be a moot point by the time both Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA complete their rosters four months from now, Real SLC clearly came out of Friday's expansion draft with the better 10-player squad. Headlined by MLS veterans such as Andy Williams and Rusty Pierce, John Ellinger's club obtained more players who can help right away and make an impact.

Before going any further, it's important to note that by the time the 2005 Major League Soccer campaign kicks off next April, Chivas USA will undoubtedly field a stronger side than its fellow expansion franchise. Thomas Rongen's squad is primed to feature players such as Francisco Palencia and Ramon Ramirez, who have played in multiple World Cups for the Mexican National Team, as well as goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera.

Other current Chivas de Guadalajara players that have also been mentioned as strong possibilities to play for its sister team next year are Isaac Romo and Luis Alonso Sandoval. Chivas USA has the resources to make much better use of its four senior international and five transitional-international slots provided by the league than Real SLC does.

Yet, for the time being, all we can go on are the players listed on each team's official roster. And as it stands today, Real SLC has the upper hand after a much stronger showing in Friday's draft.

The following is a player-by-player breakdown of each of the 20 players selected by Real SLC and Chivas USA on November 19:

Real Salt Lake City

1. Andy Williams: An all-or-nothing guy, so to speak, as the Jamaican international is either the best player on the field or one of the worst. When he's on his game, there are only three or four players in all of MLS that can match his technical abilities in tight spaces and see the field as well as he does from his attacking midfielder position. That's exactly where Ellinger intends to play him, as well.

Williams had 4 goals and 9 assists in 25 games for the Chicago Fire last year, but wasn't nearly as sharp in the second half of the year as he was during the spring and early part of the summer. Having been on five teams around the league already, Williams is a player who needs to find his comfort zone on and off the field. In Chicago, he was helped by Dave Sarachan, who let him play his game and gave him a degree of freedom, as well as by having a player like Chris Armas behind him to do the dirty work.

For Real SLC to get the most out of Williams, they'll need a holding midfielder that can cover a lot of ground and win tackles. Plus, if U.S. National team striker Clint Mathis is signed after the January 1 transfer window opens, it'll be important that these two patch up their differences, as they were less than chummy while teammates for the MetroStars during the second half of the 2002 season. Even if they become attached at the hip -- the MLS version of Joy Fawcett and Shannon MacMillan -- it's awful difficult to have two players like Mathis and Williams who don't cover much ground or play defense on the field at the same time.

2. D.J. Countess: In Ellinger's mind, this was a steal, as he was ready to use Real SLC's first overall pick on the 22-year-old goalkeeper. Both the head coach and general manager Steve Pastorino are familiar with Countess. Ellinger coached him in Residency with the U-17 National Team in 1999 while Pastorino was with him this past season in Chicago. Being that this is a kid who coaches have always said had too much confidence, perhaps being a backup this past year behind Henry Ring in Chicago was a humbling experience.

If Countess struggles, Ellinger will be questioned for not bringing in either Jonny Walker or Adin Brown while they were available.

3. Pablo Brenes: This might have been the steal of the draft, as he's a player the MetroStars surely did not want to lose, yet were handcuffed with all the other young players and transitional internationals that Bob Bradley also did not want to part with.

"We weren't expecting to get him, but we're very happy to," said Ellinger.

Due to missed time with the Costa Rican Olympic team, Brenes only played in 14 games for the MetroStars last year. Yet, it was enough to prove he belonged, as he started both playoff matches as a midfielder for the MetroStars. For Ellinger, he'll likely open the season as the starting left-sided midfielder or as an attacking left back.

4. Brian Kamler: He gives Real SLC a classy player who will be a good presence in the locker room and on the training field day-in and day-out. He's no longer one of the better left-sided midfielders in the league, but still possesses a lethal shot from 30 yards in and always plays solid defensively whether he's in the midfielder or in the back, as he was with the Revs this past year due to injuries.

5. Nelson Akwari: Ellinger coached Akwari back in 1999 with his inaugural Residency class in Bradenton, Fla. Since coming out of UCLA in 2002, this defender has had a hard time seeing the field in MLS. In three years with the MetroStars and Crew, he's only started 24 matches, including the 16 starts he got this year with Columbus. His upside is that he's only 22 years old and has gotten international experience at the U-17, U-20 and U-23 levels over the past five years.

6. Chris Brown: A veteran striker known for his goal-scoring ability, he simply wasn't high enough on the totem pole in San Jose to protect. Brown, 27, has scored 20 goals and had 12 assists over six seasons in the league with his most productive year being the 2001 campaign in Kansas City when he totaled five goals and two assists as an everyday starter. He'll likely give Real SLC some cover off the bench as a third striker.

7. Matt Behncke: Back in the spring, this was a player that those in Dallas were quietly saying was their best player of the first half of the season. With his 6-foot-3 frame, the 24-year-old will provide Real SLC with an aerial presence in the back whether he is put in a central defending role or on the outside.

8. Rusty Pierce: This solid defender became expendable because his contract with the league expired at the end of the 2004 season. Since he made a hair under $50,000 for the Revolution last year, he'll surely be looking for a raise to move him into the dreaded middle-class of the league. Should he sign, as expected, Pierce gives Ellinger a defender who has played in every possible position in every formation in the back. He's probably at his best in a central role in a four-back system, which Ellinger has used in the past with the U-17 National Team.

Having played in 101 regular season matches and 12 playoff games over the past five years, Pierce is currently the team's most proven commodity in the back. He's also a player that no forward in the league looks forward to playing against.

9. Kevin Ara: An unproven midfielder who only saw action in six matches for MLS Cup champion D.C. United in 2004. The third-round pick out of Harvard stayed in school to get his degree during the spring, which, in essence, makes his first year with Real SLC a pseudo rookie season all over again.

10. Erick Scott: A bit of a mystery. After scorching the nets for several goals during the CONCACAF Champions Cup - three against MLS opponents -- last spring as a member of LD Alajuelense of the Costa Rican First Division, he failed to make an impact with the Columbus Crew. In between stints on international duty for the Ticos, Scott only saw action in six games and didn't register a point. Could be a steal, as it was hard for him to see time with Edson Buddle, Jeff Cunningham and Kyle Martino in the mix. A change of scenery for the 23-year-old striker is welcomed.

Overall Grade: B+

One can start to formulate a lineup for this club just from the selections in this draft, as there are seven or eight potential starters from this group. Add Kreis and Mathis to the mix, and it's a competitive side. The one question mark could come at the goalkeeper position. Is Countess capable of being a top-flight starter? Considering he makes only $17,000 less than Brown, he better be worth such a high selection. Even so, getting Keller for two or three years is worth pursuing no matter how Countess performs.

What Ellinger needs to do next is round out his staff of coaches to prepare for the Draft. Both John Murphy (Columbus) and John Trask (Dallas) are excellent candidates because of their knowledge of the college game and eye for talent. Whoever he adds, they'll need to find suitable defensive midfielders to support Williams -- some coaches around the league claim he can only play in a 4-5-1 system - as well as a quality left back if they decide that Brenes is best in the midfield.

Chivas USA

1. Arturo Torres: This is a player that several coaches around the league took notice of last season when he returned from a broken foot to give L.A. a burst of speed and a touch of skill to their midfield down the stretch. For a franchise that intends to play attractive soccer with an attacking mindset, Torres is the perfect fit.

"A very attractive footballer," said Rongen about his team's first selection.

As a Harbor City, Calif., native and a former standout at Loyola Marymount, he's a West Coast guy and familiar to fans in the L.A. area from his two years with the Galaxy. He'll likely play as a right midfielder for Rongen, and start from the outset of the season, no matter who gets brought into Chivas USA this winter.

"They're not going to regret it," said Torres of his selection. "I'm going to give 110 percent every time I take the field."

2. Orlando Perez: A solid pick, as this 27-year-old has proven himself as a left back and left midfielder over the past three seasons in Chicago. He's also of Mexican descent and speaks fluent Spanish, which made him an obvious selection for Chivas USA. It's interesting to note that he tried out with Mexican club Tecos in 1999 before coming to MLS. A snag in contract negotiations prevented him from joining Tecos, which made him available for the MetroStars to draft him in the fourth round of the 2000 SuperDraft.

3. Ezra Hendrickson: The perfect player for Chivas USA, as he is one of the more attack-minded defenders in all of Major League Soccer. In addition, he's known to the local fans in L.A. from his five-plus seasons with the Galaxy. At 32 years old, he's still extremely fit and quick for his size (6-foot-3). Since signing with D.C. United earlier this year, he's showed his versatility, as he was forced to play as a central defender as well as on the right side. He can also play as a midfielder, both centrally and along the flank.

The St. Vincent & The Grenadines captain will surely be allowed to get forward more under Rongen than he ever was in any of his previous three MLS stops.

4. Francisco Gomez: The surprising thing about this six-year veteran is that he's still just 25 years old. Gomez has shown flashes of brilliance during his years in Kansas City. However his attacking personality and penchant for flair suits him for Chivas USA much more than it did in Bob Gansler's more direct and defensive-minded system.

After failing to hold a spot in the Wizards starting lineup, this move is a welcome one.

"It was probably a God-send for Cisco," said Gansler of his former midfielder who registered 11 goals and 14 assists in his six years with the club. "He needed a change in venue, especially going back to California to his family and his roots. I think it will rejuvenate his time in the League."

5. Antonio de la Torre: Another piece-of-the-puzzle player for Rongen. This Mexican-born defender is known more for his ability to get forward and strike a ball on a free kick than for his defending abilities. In 28 games for the Colorado Rapids, he often played as a right back. Other times, he was in a free role, to take advantage of his instincts on counterattacks and skillful play along the flanks.

Having played for several teams in Mexico's first and second division before joining the Rapids in 2004, Chivas fans will be familiar with this defender, and surely of his father, Antonio, who played for the tricolores in the 1978 World Cup.

"It's always hard to have to pack your bags and move your life so suddenly to another city," said the 27-year-old. "But I'm glad to be able to join a club with the tradition that Chivas USA carries."

6. Matt Taylor: Went from being the No. 4 pick in the SuperDraft a mere 10 months ago to finding himself on the unprotected list. While he's not of Mexican descent, this 23-year-old striker will be a player the local fans should remember from his years as a goal-scorer at UCLA. Unfortunately for Taylor, there was a glut of forwards in Kansas City this season, including breakout star Davy Arnaud, which limited his action to 17 matches and just one start. He scored three goals during that time and displayed enough speed and shooting ability to show he belongs in this league.

"Matt gave us some good moments and is a promising young player," said Gansler.

7. Craig Ziadie: Was last seen playing against the U.S. National Team for Jamaica back on November 17. In four years in MLS, Ziadie has been a regular as a right back with both D.C. United and the MetroStars. On the surface, he appears to be one of the best deals in the draft considering he made only $27,783 in 2004. However, his contract is now up and he has long explored options in England to join several of his teammates on the Reggae Boyz.

If he re-signs, Ziadie will be another attack-minded player with international experience for Rongen to use. He may have to battle Hendrickson for a spot on his new side.

8. Jamil Walker: Injuries and lack of production limited his time in 2004 after bursting onto the scene with four goals as an undrafted rookie for San Jose in 2003. He started alongside Landon Donovan in the 2003 MLS Cup against Chicago, but the return of both Dwayne DeRosario and Brian Ching from injuries last year made him expendable. Walker's speed will keep him around, but he's still a bit raw.

9. Thiago Martins: After being the MVP of the A-League for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, he's torn his ACL two times. That does not bode well for the Brazilian who is already 28 years old despite being out of college only four years. He might have a hard time making the traveling squad most weeks.

10. Jeff Stewart: Not a bad guy to take a flier on, as he was a good-looking defender in his rookie year for the Colorado Rapids before a series of knee injuries kept him out of all but eight matches over the past two seasons. At 24, he was worth the risk.

Overall Grade: C+

Rongen made some astute selections, as Hendrickson and Perez are solid veterans who know the league to go with a few young guys who can make an impact on the side. However, there aren't enough potential starters on this list. Considering some of the players that were available in the draft, it seems he could have added more quality. Unless Talavera is a lock to come to Southern California, the bypassing of Walker might be a mistake, as the MetroStars keeper would be a perfect fit for this club since he knows the style of play from his days at Colo Colo in Chile, and can communicate with the backs since he speaks Spanish.

Good thing Chivas USA has its own feeder program because the current crop of players is looking less than stellar, making this year's SuperDraft weaker than it has been in past years.

Marc Connolly covers soccer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at: marc@oakwoodsoccer.com.