Sounders Expansion Draft protected list indicates youth movement

Only two players under contract will be available in Wednesday’s MLS Expansion Draft — Oniel Fisher and Alvaro Fernandez. The other Sounders available to Minnesota United and Atlanta United — Michael Farfan, Oalex Anderson, Erik Friberg, Herculez Gomez, Andreas Ivanschitz, Damion Lowe, Charlie Lyon, Tyrone Mears, Jimmy Ockford, Dylan Remick, Nathan Sturgis, and Nelson Haedo Valdez — all had their options declined today.

Zach Scott is retiring and cannot be taken in the Expansion Draft.

Tony Alfaro and Tyler Miller were both protected. Each is a young (by MLS standards) player at a position of strength for Seattle Sounders FC. Neither will start in 2017, but offer depth for a team that will be in CONCACAF Champions League and defending an MLS Cup.

Alfaro is 23. He started one MLS game and appeared in five more. With S2, he earned 20 starts and scored two goals. Tony also started three Open Cup matches for the first team.

Miller is also 23. He started one MLS match and 12 games with S2. He played 300 minutes in three starts in the Open Cup.