The Montreal Impact have never displayed much concern for how they are perceived by outsiders. They do what they feel is best for them, regardless of the political fall-out.
Perhaps it is an offshoot to operating in a French culture surrounded by an Island of English hostility/indifference (it all depends on your perspective), but it’s as much a part of the Impact’s make-up as is the annual firing of the head coach.
It took all of 10 seconds for Montreal to introduce itself and its ways to the rest of MLS.
“With the first selection of the expansion draft, the Montreal Impact select Brian Ching of the Houston Dynamo.”
[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]
Ching, a career member of the Dynamo that wanted to play one more season in Houston so he could be there for the opening of their new stadium, had already said that he would retire before reporting to Montreal. Everyone in MLS knew what the deal was when he was left unprotected. Ching was available, but not really. The expectation was that he would be left alone and allowed to finish his career in Houston.
The Impact missed the memo. Or, more likely, they got it but thought that they could use the situation to their advantage. In a move similar to what Mo Johnston did in the 2007 draft when he selected Jason Kreis, the Impact likely figure they can get an asset for Ching.
Montreal is within its rights, but it’s not clear whether they are thinking it through. Johnston might not be the best person to emulate when it comes to building an expansion team after all.
In MLS clubs often help each other out of minor jams – if team A needs a little allocation to sign a player team B might give them what they need for next to nothing with the understanding that they will return the favour down the road. It’s a reality Montreal might want to give some thought to before they demand too high a price for Ching’s return home.
Here are the results of expansion draft:
1. F Brian Ching, Houston Dynamo
2. D Zarek Valentin, Chivas USA
3. MF Justin Mapp, Philadelphia Union
4. D Bobby Burling, San Jose Earthquakes
5. MF Jeb Brovsky, Vancouver Whitecaps
6. MF Collen Warner, Real Salt Lake
7. MF Josh Gardner, Columbus Crew
8. F Sanna Nyassi, Colorado Rapids
9. D James Riley, Seattle Sounders (traded to Chivas USA for Justin Braun and MF Gerson Mayen)
10. D Seth Sinovic, Sporting Kansas City
Additionally, Tyson Wahl was acquired from Seattle for allocation money