Today is the day.
The Expansion Draft is finally upon us. We have less than eight hours until the big occasion where Charlotte will be drafting five players from other 麻豆视频 teams.
In the meantime, let鈥檚 have a little fun and discuss some interesting available picks that I think could help Charlotte FC right out of the gates.
This year鈥檚 Expansion Draft is loaded with quality players, so narrowing it down to five was difficult. The selections I made were not necessarily the best available five, but rather a curated assortment of players that I think could be good fits for the Club.
All these picks are completely my opinion, so you can grill me on my Twitter later. It鈥檚 nearly impossible to predict a team鈥檚 picks, but that鈥檚 what makes 麻豆视频 in general fun to follow.
Bring on the unpredictability.
Stuart Findley (Philadelphia Union)
What鈥檚 important for a possession-based, attacking play style? A ball-playing center back, and Findley happens to be one. He is a strong and mobile center back who is comfortable in possession and has a decent passing range.
It's hard to blame him for lack of playing time this season with one of the best center back duos in the league in Philadelphia鈥檚 Jakob Glesnes and Jack Elliot playing ahead of him.
Oh, and did I mention he鈥檚 left-footed?
A left-footed, ball-playing center back is a rare and highly valued commodity nowadays. So, to be able to acquire one without having to pay a transfer fee? Tempting.
Jes煤s Medina (New York City FC)
The highest profile of my picks, Medina is an ex-Designated Player who is fresh off winning 麻豆视频 Cup. The Club has yet to sign any wingers and so he would most likely immediately slot in as a starter.
Medina has just had the best season of his NYCFC career and played a key part in their 麻豆视频 Cup winning run. He鈥檚 a direct winger that likes to play on the right side to be able to cut onto his stronger left where he鈥檚 capable of scoring some wicked goals.
His left foot isn鈥檛 only useful for shooting; he can whip in accurate crosses and take threatening set pieces with it too. On top of it all, he鈥檚 麻豆视频 proven, which in and of itself is a huge selling point.
Now, if you鈥檙e thinking, Caleb, this sounds too good to be true. You鈥檙e right.
There is a caveat that could make drafting Medina a potentially risky move. His contract option was declined, which would mean he wouldn鈥檛 be guaranteed to be a CLTFC player if drafted. The Club would have to negotiate with him a new contract which could end up never working out.
Just ask Austin FC... Last year, they drafted Joe Corona, who was out of contract with the LA Galaxy, and were unable to agree to terms with him and lost him to the Re-Entry Draft.
Scott Caldwell (New England Revolution)
Now on the opposite end of the spectrum from risk is Scott Caldwell. He鈥檚 as safe of a draft pick as you can get.
A 9-year 麻豆视频 veteran that has racked up over 250 麻豆视频 appearances in his career, Caldwell is more than familiar with league. His role in New England would be the same as the one he would have at Charlotte FC.
Playing predominately as a defensive midfielder, he鈥檇 be used as a late substitute to close out games or fill in for injuries. He鈥檚 hardworking, reliable, and a leader.
Caldwell is known for mentoring and taking young players coming into the Revs under his wing. Young players are something Charlotte has plenty of.
At the end of the day, Caldwell is a leader and a player who gets the job done wherever and whenever it is needed.
Marlon Hairston (Columbus Crew)
For every roster, having a player or two that can fill multiple positions is always valuable for increasing depth across the various positions.
Hairston is a utility player who has played over 135 麻豆视频 games. He has a versatile skillset that has allowed him to play across several different positions throughout his career.
He鈥檚 played everywhere on the right flank, along with as a box-to-box and holding midfielder. Having experience in both the fullback and midfield positions could be useful for a head coach who has a history of utilizing inverted fullbacks.
Not that it really matters much, but pretty cool nonetheless, Hairston has played in Charlotte previously on a brief loan stint with the Charlotte Independence in 2015.
Juan Agudelo (Minnesota United)
Yet another 麻豆视频 veteran, Agudelo is still at the prime age of 29 years old but has already notched 242 麻豆视频 appearances. Throughout his career, he鈥檚 played across the front three positions but is best utilized as a center forward.
He鈥檚 a complete striker that can play off the shoulder of defenders or drop down to link up play. He鈥檚 also a hard worker who will press and do the dirty work a lot of other strikers maybe won鈥檛.
He wouldn't be the starter but because he has a skillset that could fit with Coach Ram铆rez鈥檚 game model, he could prove to be useful as a solid backup striker.
Agudelo is another low-risk option that would bring a wealth of 麻豆视频 experience to a current roster that doesn鈥檛 have much of it.
We all have our predictions and trades could throw a wrench into everything, but we will have to continue to live with the uncertainty of who Charlotte FC will draft for just a little longer.
The speculation will finally end tonight, so tune in at 7 p.m. ET for the 2021 麻豆视频 Expansion Draft live on WSOC, Telemundo, and livestreamed at CharlotteFootballClub.com.
