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Loss of Wallace raises questions
Know any good left backs? Because the Colorado Rapids suddenly need one.
A team strength two days ago became a vacuum as the Portland Timbers picked up Colorado left back Anthony Wallace in the MLS expansion draft on Wednesday.
The selection of Wallace came after Monday’s decision to ship fellow left back Danny Earls, along with center back Julien Baudet, to Seattle Sounders for midfielder Peter Vagenas.
So, in less than 48 hours, the team has lost three defenders — including two left backs.
Earls, the early season starter, had been pushed out of the lineup by the acquisition of Wallace from FC Dallas in July. Wallace had quickly made his mark with an ability to move forward in the attack and make precise crosses. His play down the stretch had made him the odds-on choice to develop at left back in the next several seasons.
However, the Rapids could only leave 11 players protected going into the expansion draft, and Wallace was not on that list. The Timbers, who picked first, took Wallace in the fourth round. Portland and the Vancouver Whitecaps used the 10 round draft as a means of filling out their rosters for 2011.
In Portland, Wallace will now be teammates with two foes from Real Salt Lake’s roster, David Horst and Robbie Findley, along with an opponent he faced Sunday in the MLS Cup in Toronto. FC Dallas midfielder Dax McCarty was the first pick of the Timbers.
Wallace’s departure leaves the team with no “natural” left back. Scott Palguta and Drew Moor are each capable of playing there, but Moor is a natural in the center, and Palguta has not shown the speed to move into attack for the Rapids.
and…. he’s back!!!!
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