NEW YORK -- The Montreal Impact made Houston forward Brian Ching the first pick in the Major League Soccer expansion draft, even though he has threatened to retire rather than leave the Dynamo. The Impact become the league's 19th team next season and selected 10 players Wednesday from 272 left unprotected. "We have the utmost respect for Brian, both as a player and a person," Impact coach Jesse Marsch said. "He made it clear he does not want to come here but we think he represents good value. There are teams in the league who think the same thing. I want to consider what is best for Brian's future but I also want to consider what it best for the future of our club." Source:ESPN
Montreal also took Chivas USA defender Zarek Valentin, Philadelphia midfielder Justin Mapp, San Jose defender Bobby Burling, Vancouver midfielder Jeb Brovsky, Salt Lake midfielder Collen Warner, Columbus defender Josh Gardner, Colorado midfielder Sanna Nyassi, Seattle defender James Riley and Kansas City defender Seth Sinovic. That was the rest of their draft. Of all the unprotected players out there it kind of surprises me with some of the folks that weren't taken. I also think Brian Ching is a douchebag because he stated that if he was drafted he'd retire. He's going to end up traded, probably back to Houston for a young stud. But yeah, don't be a rod.
