CARSON, Calif. (Friday, Dec. 19, 2014) – Forward Chandler Hoffman was selected by the Houston Dynamo Thursday afternoon in the second stage of the 2014 MLS Re-Entry Draft. Per MLS rules, clubs have seven days to make a genuine offer to the players selected in Stage Two.
Hoffman, 24, was acquired by LA in a trade with the Philadelphia Union in March 2013. Hoffman, originally selected with the 13th pick of the 2013 MLS SuperDraft by Philadelphia, made eight appearances for the Galaxy in 2014. He led Galaxy II in goals this year with 13 during the regular season.
The San Jose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo were the busiest teams in Stage 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft on Thursday, with each club selecting two players to try and bolster their squads ahead of 2015.
The Earthquakes picked up veteran defender Marvell Wynne and winger Sanna Nyassi, while the Houston Dynamo also grabbed journeyman midfielder Nathan Sturgis.
Veteran defender Bakary Soumare was the first player taken overall in the draft, by the Montreal Impact. A former MLS Best XI selection in 2008, Soumare, 29, spent five of his seven MLS seasons with the Chicago Fire before the club let him go this year. He also played professionally in France and Germany between 2009-12.
FC Dallas also selected a familiar face in veteran forward/winger Atiba Harris, who played for the team in 2009-10 and started up top in the 2010 MLS Cup final.
The New England Revolution used their first-round pick on forward Tristan Bowen, while 2015 expansion side Orlando City SC selected Josh Ford, a former backup goalkeeper with the Seattle Sounders who has yet to make an MLS appearance.
All other clubs passed on their selections.
According to league rules, teams will have seven days to make a bona fide offer to the players they select in Stage 2, and if an agreement cannot be reached, the club will hold the right of first refusal for that player in MLS.
Any players not picked up after Stage 2 become available to any MLS club on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wynne was perhaps the steadiest player selected on Thursday, appearing in at least 27 games per season with the Colorado Rapids each of the past five years. A versatile 28-year-old defender who’s played at center back and on the outside, he won an MLS Cup with the Rapids in 2010 after previously playing for Toronto FC and the New York Red Bulls. He was the first overall pick in the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.
Nyassi, 25, has played for four teams since his MLS career began in 2009 – Seattle, Colorado, Montreal and Chicago. His best year came with the Rapids in 2011, when he scored five goals and added five assists in 26 appearances.
Sturgis, 27, is one of the most well-traveled players in MLS, having played for seven different teams since his career began in 2006. He appeared in five games for Houston in 2012 before having a career year with Colorado in 2013, scoring four goals in 25 appearances.
Harris, 29, has played for six teams in his MLS career, but enjoyed his best season with Dallas in 2010, posting four goals and two assists in 28 games.
Bowen, 23, was the first MLS player to sign a Homegrown contract when he joined the LA Galaxy in 2009. He has since played for Chivas USA and the Sounders.
MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 2 Selections:
- Montreal Impact – Bakary Soumare (D)
- San Jose Earthquakes – Marvell Wynne (D), Sanna Nyassi (MF) (2nd round)
- Houston Dynamo – Chandler Hoffman (F), Nathan Sturgis (MF) (2nd Round)
- FC Dallas – Atiba Harris (F/MF)
- New England Revolution – Tristan Bowen (F)
- Orlando City SC – Josh Forde (GK)
