Orlando City Releases Expansion Draft List

MLS released its list of protected and unprotected players for Tuesday’s MLS Expansion Draft and Orlando City gave us few surprises.

However, one choice that raises eyebrows is the availability of prize prospect Pierre Da Silva. The midfielder is the first player to come up through the academy, play for the reserve side in the USL, and appear in an MLS match. Da Silva was signed to an MLS contract less than a year ago.

Each MLS team can protect 11 players from selection by incoming expansion side LAFC. Generation Adidas players who have not yet graduated from the program and Homegrown Players on the club’s supplemental roster are exempt from selection automatically and do not need to be protected.

Several of the unprotected players had their options declined or are out of contract after the 2017 season. These include Antonio Nocerino, Servando Carrasco, Dillon Powers, Giles Barnes, Seb Hines, Hadji Barry, Josh Saunders, Conor Donovan, Kevin Alston, and Devron García. Kaká is also out of contract but his rights are not mentioned in the club’s press release. It is possible he has let the league know of his plans to either retire or sign with an overseas club. 

Unprotected players who are still under contract or had their options exercised include Tony Rocha, Rafael Ramos, PC, Earl Edwards Jr., and Da Silva.

Here is the complete breakdown:

Orlando City Protected Players

GK Joe Bendik

D José Aja

D Scott Sutter

D Jonathan Spector

D Donny Toia

M Will Johnson

M Cristian Higuita

M Yoshimar Yotún

F Dom Dwyer

F Cyle Larin

F Carlos Rivas

Automatically Protected Players

GK Mason Stajduhar – Homegrown Player

D Tommy Redding – Homegrown Player

M Richie Laryea – Generation Adidas

Available for Selection

GK Earl Edwards, Jr.

GK Josh Saunders

D Kevin Alston

D Conor Donovan

D Seb Hines

D Devron García

D PC Giro

D Rafael Ramos

D Léo Pereira

M Giles Barnes

M Servando Carrasco

M Pierre Da Silva

M Antonio Nocerino

M Dillon Powers

M Tony Rocha

F Hadji Barry