New York, NY – The Montreal Impact selected a couple of big names in Wednesday's Major League Soccer expansion draft, picking up Houston Dynamo striker Brian Ching and Philadelphia Union midfielder Justin Mapp.
Ching's total of 77 goals in MLS brings a proven scoring track record to the negotiation table, while Mapp has the most experience of Montreal's selections with 221 appearances in the league.
Apart from the marquee names, the Impact went for youth and defense, taking defenders Zarek Valentin (20 years old), Seth Sinovic (24), and Bobby Burling (27).
Montreal also showed some craft by immediately trading one of its picks, Seattle Sounders FC defender James Riley, to Chivas USA in exchange for Justin Braun and Gerson Mayen.
Following is a complete list of players selected by Montreal in the draft, followed by their 2011 teams:
Jeb Brovksy (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
Bobby Burling (San Jose Earthquakes)
Brian Ching (Houston Dynamo)
Josh Gardner (Columbus Crew)
Justin Mapp (Philadelphia Union)
Sanna Nyassi (Colorado Rapids)
James Riley* (Seattle Sounders FC)
Seth Sinovic (Sporting Kansas City)
Zarek Valentin (Chivas USA)
Collen Warner (Real Salt Lake)
*Riley was traded to Chivas USA for Justin Braun and Gerson Mayen.
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