The Los Angeles Galaxy are MLS Cup champions, but they have to get back to work a day after winning the cup because preparations for 2012 have started and it begins with their submitting a protected/unprotected list for the upcoming expansion draft. All of the Galaxy's big guns are protected, including David Beckham, Sean Franklin and Juninho, all of whom might leave the team in the offseason now that they are out of contract, or in Juninho's case, his loan is up.
MLS Expansion Draft 2011: Los Angeles Galaxy Protected List
The Galaxy's list is almost exactly as you would expect it, except for Donovan Ricketts, who the Galaxy have chosen to protect. Josh Saunders took over the number one keeper role, leaving the 2010 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Ricketts on the bench, but LA decided to protect him anyways. This despite Montreal already having two goalkeepers and his trade value not being through the roof with his history of injuries and as a result the young and talented Paolo Cardozo is left exposed.
Protected List: David Beckham, AJ DeLaGarza, Landon Donovan, Todd Dunivant, Sean Franklin, Omar Gonzalez, Robbie Keane, Mike Magee, Juninho, Donovan Ricketts, Josh Saunders
Automatically Protected: Jack McBean (Homegrown)
Unprotected List: Sean Alvarado, Chad Barrett, Chris Birchall, Paolo Cardozo, Adam Cristman, Leonardo, Frankie Hejduk, Hector Jimenez, Bryan Jordan, Daniel Keat, Miguel Lopez, Dustin McCarty, Brian Perk, Dasan Robinson, Michael Stephens, Ryan Thomas
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