The 2011 MLS Expansion Draft is this Wednesday as the league welcomes the Montreal Impact for the 2012 season. The Impact will begin to assemble its roster by selecting 10 players from MLS teams. But today, each MLS team released its list of 11 players that it will be able to protect from the draft.
The protection list for D.C. United includes a mix of stars and role players who were of high-value to the team this past season. United didn't hesitate in protecting 2011 MLS MVP Dwayne De Rosario, along with proven starters Chris Pontius, Perry Kitchen, Dejan Jakovic, Brandon McDonald, Clyde Simms, and Josh Wolff. United also elected to protect young players Daniel Woolard, Chris Korb, and Joe Willis, while also securing the rights to Charlie Davies by protecting him despite the fact that he might leave the league this offseason.
Young players Andy Najar, Bill Hamid, Ethan White, and Conor Shanosky are also automatically protected due to their homegrown status.