Major League Soccer

Jürgen Damm is among the available players that Charlotte FC can pick in the Expansion Draft

By Hector Garcia

In addition to Damm, Mexican defender Jose Carlos Van Rankin is also on the list of eligible players.

In addition to Damm, Mexican defender Jose Carlos Van Rankin is also on the list of eligible players.

Síguenos enSíguenos en Google News

Jürgen Damn

Facing up to his third season in MLS, Mexico's Jürgen Damm could change teams and join Charlotte FC, a new MLS franchise. The former Tigres player is on the list of transferable players who could join before MLS 2022 begins.

In his second season with Atlanta United, Damm played just 154 minutes in 10 games, with 3 assists. And in the playoffs, he played 28 minutes against New York City FC. For this reason, the club decided to include him in the list of eligible players, although in case he is not selected, he will remain with his current team.

Charlotte FC Expansion Draft available players

As a new franchise, Charlotte FC has the opportunity to build its roster with players who already have previous experience, from players that other clubs would have no problem releasing. In that sense, the North Carolinians will be able to choose among players from 23 teams up to 5 players to have a base in their squad. 

In addition to Damm, Mexican defender Jose Carlos Van Rankin is also on the list of eligible players. In addition, there are old familiar faces from Mexican soccer such as Carlos Darwin Quintero and internationally known players such as Diego Valeri, Maximiliano Moralez, Ramón 'Wnachope Ábila, Diego Rossi, and Blaise Matuidi.

Besides those players, there are six interesting players that can be very useful for new MLS franchise Charlotte FC.

Diego Rubio

Rubio hasn’t taken The Leap since being traded to Colorado, but he’s a productive MLS forward and is compensated as such, making $630k this season. The 28-year-old Chilean international had five goals and six assists in 1660 minutes for the Western Conference-topping Rapids.

Allan Cruz

A prime candidate for a change of scenery? Cruz has talent but it hasn’t always shined in Cincy as the club have cycled through head coaches and finished bottom of the league three years in a row. The Costa Rican international turns 26 in February and is a strong buy-low candidate, so long as Charlotte (or another MLS club) would be content to take on his $1m+ budget charge.

Romain Métanire

A 2019 MLS All-Star, Metanire has been a hugely successful signing for Minnesota United. He’s a prototypical modern attacking fullback, but the Madagascar international hit the budget around $700k last year and turns 32 next season.

Larrys Mabiala

The Portland Timbers don’t quite play the same way Charlotte will, but Mabiala has excelled in MLS over more than 100 starts, twice making MLS Cup as well as winning the MLS is Back Tournament. He is 34, though.

Érik Godoy

Godoy has looked the part of a solid, starting-caliber center back in MLS… when he’s been healthy. The Argentine defender has played more than half of Vancouver's matches in just one of his three seasons in the league. He made 15 starts this year.

Victor Wanyama

Wanyama would require a DP spot and doesn’t really fit the high-energy system Charlotte will implement, but the former Tottenham midfielder has been solid for CF Montréal in his two seasons. Enough for an honorable mention here, at least.

The draft will take place this Tuesday. December 14. The teams exempt from the draft were the LA Galaxy, Nashville, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC and San Jose Earthquakes, as last season they had players selected by Austin FC, so this year they did not have to submit a list of players.




 


More news