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Union lose Salinas and Moreno in MLS expansion draft

The Union lost the maximum two players in the MLS expansion draft Wednesday as the Vancouver Whitecaps selected midfielder Shea Salinas in the fourth round and forward Alejandro Moreno in the seventh round. Salinas was the eighth overall selection and Moreno was 14th.

Shea Salinas became a fan favorite in his short time with the Union. (David J. Phillip/AP file photo)
Shea Salinas became a fan favorite in his short time with the Union. (David J. Phillip/AP file photo)Read more

The Union lost the maximum two players in the MLS expansion draft Wednesday as the Vancouver Whitecaps selected midfielder Shea Salinas in the fourth round and forward Alejandro Moreno in the seventh round. Salinas was the eighth overall selection and Moreno was 14th.

According to MLS rules, once a team has a player selected, it is allowed to pull back one name on its unprotected list.

The Union pulled back goalie Chris Seitz after the selection of Salinas. Vancouver and the Portland Timbers will begin play in the 2011 season, giving Major League Soccer 18 teams. Each expansion team selected 10 players.

The 24-year-old Salinas appeared in 17 games, making seven starts and scoring one goal. At midseason, he suffered a fractured left fibula that sidelined him for two months.

"As much as we all love to have him with us next season, unfortunately, that is the beauty of the expansion draft," Union team manager Peter Nowak said in a conference call with reporters. "It's not easy, but it speaks volumes that two players were selected from our team."

Moreno, a 31-year-old veteran who will be joining his sixth MLS team, appeared in 26 games, making 25 starts. He had two goals and was second on the team with seven assists.

"Alejandro provided a lot of good [leadership] for our young players like Jack McInerney and Danny Mwanga," Nowak said. "He was always a cool head and always a buffer, and with his experience he analyzed things in a good way."

Nowak admitted he gambled by placing Seitz on the unprotected list. Seitz appeared in 23 games this season, making 22 starts.

The Union's other keeper, Brad Knighton, remains on the roster after not being selected in the expansion draft.

Nowak said he does not fear any loss of confidence from the 23-year-old Seitz after he was left unprotected by the team.

"It is still a work in progress," Nowak said. "A goalkeeper like Chris needs experience, but I don't think confidence was ever a problem with him."