Comments about ‘Real Salt Lake protects 11 players for Philly expansion draft’

The 11 I would have protected are the same ones on this list. I am just glad they can only take one. I see RSL doing very well next year if they can keep this core together. They learned how to win the last few weeks. I hope that will carry over to next year. Any one want a Supporters Shield?!

Yes I want a Supporters Sheild, and a "Western Conference Championship Trophy. How about a CONACEF Cup, or SuperLiga, or Open Cup? But to me, the most important one is the MLS CUP we have it here now, and I say our goal should be to keep it! For now- I'll enjoy the 2009 MLS CUP! I would've protected the same 11 myself. Way to go RSL, we knew you could do it!!!!!

If you're going to leave Russell unprotected leave Wingert unprotected and protect some of our young talent (Cox, Alexandre, etc.), they can only pick one. I think Russell is better and brings more to the attack while being even on the defensive end. It'll be interesting to see who they pick from our roster... we'll see i guess. I'm hoping we end up trading them Wingert anyway....

In my mind, Wingert is our best attacking back, and has the heart of a lion. He has been strong for us all season long.

Hate to say it but we might be seeing Russell going bye bye to Philly....he is too good to pass up on...big, versatile, and consistent (when he is healthy).....making that PK just lifted his profile around the league.....

Don't be so sure they won't take a veteran. Didn't Toronto grab Kreis during their expansion draft?

When you compare the proteced vs. unprotected lists and plug in salary info, it's easy to see the trend. Of those players who are "on the bubble" between being protected or not, it's the higher-priced ones that are unprotected.

The bottom line is, when you're MLS champions, you're almost certain to lose someone. What RSL have done is try to put Philadelphia off by exposing more expensive players. Russell may very well be taken, but Philadelphia will have to swallow hard before they pull the trigger because Russell costs a lot.

Plus, with Russell's salary off the books, RSL have more cap room available to find a good replacement. In other words, the protected list makes total sense.

I think "It's about the money" is spot on. It is a calculate risk RSL took by leaving Russell exposed. I still think the Union will have a hard time passing on him, though.

they were spot on for who to protect. russell has been extremely inconsistent on defense. he got beat by magee on LA's goal and has had some memorable lapses over the past 2 seasons. even more than the $$$, that's why he's on the list.

grabavoy might be a more likely target for philly. he's tough, versatile and experienced. though he wasn't good enough to beat out will or kyle, he could start for a lot of teams.

or maybe they'll gamble that yura will be back when randers gets relegated early next year.

i'm surprised kreis left mathis exposed but it was definitely the right call. he's shown a lot of loyalty to him over the years...much to the fans' frustration at times.