Four of Sounders FC’s key contributors on the backline were unprotected heading into the 2014 MLS Expansion Draft for New York City FC and Orlando City SC. Not all of them will be remaining in Seattle for 2015, but the club was able to preserve its core group of defenders.
Jalil Anibaba was the only Sounders FC player selected in Wednesday’s draft, as Orlando City SC made him its third pick. When Anibaba was chosen, the Sounders were then able to protect Zach Scott, meaning each of the club’s 2014 starting centerbacks will remain in Seattle. Sounders FC outside backs Leo Gonzalez and Dylan Remick, both unprotected, were not selected.
“It was good news and bad news for us,” Sounders FC Head Coach Sigi Schmid said of the draft. “Obviously the bad news is losing Jalil, because Jalil was a solid citizen for us on and off the field. He is a defender that can play all four positions and offered us that versatility. So losing him definitely hurts a little bit, but the positive side of it was that we only lost one player instead of two.”
With starting right back DeAndre Yedlin heading to Tottenham Hotspur of the English Premier League, Sounders FC was already looking to add a defender or two to the roster. Anibaba’s departure will only amplify the club’s desire to bolster its backline for 2015.
“We have some players in the back who are getting a little bit older, so we want to make sure we have a good balance there,” Sounders FC Sporting Director Chris Henderson said prior to the draft. “I think bringing in a defender is something we’ll look for. Adding some more in the midfield, as well, is another position we’d look at.”
Scott, 34, will have surgery in the offseason to repair a foot injury. He has made more than 300 appearances for the club dating back to his years with the USL Sounders from 2002-2008.
Schmid says he and the technical staff had a feeling the expansion teams were interested in Scott. That’s why Sounders FC protected him when it had the chance on Wednesday.
“As we got closer and we heard the undertones of what was going on, we felt Zach was the guy to pull back,” Schmid said. “We’re happy that Zach is still a Sounder, and obviously we want to see him finish his career here.”
