MLS Mock Expansion Draft 2011, Seventh Round: Montreal Impact Select Ellis McLoughlin (San Jose Earthquakes)

With their seventh pick in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft, the (fake) Montreal Impact select:

Ellis McLoughlin (F, San Jose Earthquakes)

Kevin's explanation: Much like the selection of Jake Gleeson, this is based on potential and a lack of risk involved in gambling on that potential. McLoughlin has only played seven MLS games, scoring one goal, but he's also only on $42,000 per year. His 38 games at youth national team level, combined with his promising performances in MLS indicate that he has a good chance to be an MLS starter in the future. He's only 21 years old, so even if he doesn't become a reliable starter, he'll at least get better than he is now.

And if he doesn't get much better? Big deal. He's super cheap, and it would be hard to fault someone (read: me) for thinking he's going to be a successful player.

Analysis from Drew Epperley: This pick reminds me of David Horst last year in Portland. A huge potential kind of pick, not one out of real necessity. He's only 21 years old and has a decent upside, plus he's cheap. All ingredients that make a decent expansion draft pick.