Seattle Sounders lose James Riley in Expansion Draft and Tyson Wahl in exchange for allocation money
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Tyson-Wahl-c35653 in a club transfer for allocation money.
Wahl was an intentional move on Seattle’s part to gather allocation money, to reinforce the defence with a regular starter. Wahl started at the centre-back position when he was acquired in 2009, though he was deployed as the left-back this season, owing
to his left-footed play.
However, despite his expertise in dead-ball situations, the player could not become a starting fixture in the Rave Green roster. In head coach Sigi Schmid’s view, Wahl’s transfer was a win-win situation. The player will most certainly find a starting spot
in Impact’s pecking order, whereas the allocation money will help Schmid find a starter in the left-back spot.
"Tyson has been a solid contributor, earning more minutes with each season," said Schmid. "We'll miss his value to our team, but this trade enables him to be a full-time starter and the allocation money will help us maintain the high quality in our team."
http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/James-Riley-c17711, on the other hand, was left unprotected in Wednesday’s draft with rest of the back-line. However, it did not come as a surprise to Schmid that Riley was selected out from a host of options.
Riley has been a stalwart in Sounders’ roster since his acquisition in 2008 Expansion Draft. The player has become a fixture in the right-back position for Sigi Schmid since 2009. During his three years at CenturyLink Field (former Qwest Field), the player
made 83 appearances for the Sounders.
"It's not surprising that James Riley was picked by Montreal," Schmid said in a statement. "He's been our starting right back for three years and a quality player. We knew it would be a risk to not protect him.”
After picking Riley in the draft, Montreal Impact tactician Jesse Marsch immediately transferred him to CD http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gerson-Mayen-c14748 in exchange.
After losing two players from outside back positions, Schmid and company will have to start looking for stalwarts of the same calibre.
However, there seems none available at the moment. Sounders’ luck might strike gold in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft or January winter transfer window.
Tags: