The List is Life, Part IV

So much for my theories. The official list of protected players for United is out and makes for some interesting reading, particularly in light of some extra info from the Goffmeister. Some highlights . . .

• We didn't protect any keepers. With Keller already on Seattle's books, that's not surprising, though I wonder if Wells might prove a temptation as a decent, cheap backup. Not that any in United-ville will mourn his loss if he does go.
• Of our five Sudamericanos signed last winter, two have been let go, and the three remaining (Gallardo, Peralta, and Martinez) have all been left unprotected. Goff says that Martinez is as good as gone and Peralta will have to take a salary reduction if we're to keep him. The core of the protected list? United (and MLS, in Guerrero's case) vets and . . .
• Both of our Riverhounds were protected. Janicki and Khumalo both showed well down the stretch, but protecting both? I had Janicki on my list, but I don't see Khumalo being at all attractive to Seattle, not like . . .
• Vide and Doe are exposed. If we lose anybody, it's likely to be one of these two, though Wells may also be tempting as a reasonably priced backup to Keller.
• Looking around the league at what the other clubs left exposed, I wonder if we might not escape this one unscathed. There's some really tempting stuff left on the table, particularly from Houston and Columbus.

So now we play the waiting game until Wednesday afternoon. Who are you surprised to see on the list? Who do you think United will lose? Are we going to build around Gallardo for next season or are we trying to get rid of him? I wouldn't read too much into his unprotected status. Seattle's FO would have to be insane to either float him as trade bait or try and swap for a second DP spot in order to acquire an injury-prone, high salary player. Thoughts?