Mock MLS Expansion Draft results

Two new teams are set to join Major League Soccer's ranks in 2015. But before they can start playing, they must assemble teams. Although they've already signed quite a few players, MLS allows them to raid existing teams' rosters in an Expansion Draft that will be conducted on Dec. 10 in order to help fill out their rosters.

But Orlando City and New York City FC are limited in which players they can pick. Each of the existing 18 teams can protect 11 players. Most Homegrown Players and Generation adidas players are also exempt from the draft, meaning some teams are able to protect well over half their roster. A full rundown of the rules can be found here.

In preparation for this draft, SB Nation asked our existing blogs to submit a list of which players they believe will be protected (the official list will be released on Dec. 8). You can find our list of protected players here and read the thought process behind them here.

Drafting on behalf of the new teams are Hudson River Blue (New York City FC) and The Mane Land (Orlando City SC).

1. Orlando City -- Nat Borchers (RSL)

Our goal was to attack the areas of need on the roster, namely center back, target striker and defensive midfield. We were also influenced by Orlando City brass repeatedly saying they wanted to bring in experienced MLS players to teach the younger guys who are already on the roster. Borchers fills a couple of those needs and his amazing beard is already our team MVP. - Michael Citro, The Mane Land

1. New York City FC -- Péguy Luyindula (NYRB)

We decided to make Luyindula our first pick. As both a veteran player (at 35) and a veteran MLS player, Luyindula offers a package that's hard to pass up. Although he's listed as a forward, in reality Luyindula has played as an attacking midfielder for the Red Bulls. He's excelled in that role for them, and we felt that he'd perform similarly for New York City, providing linkup play between Frank Lampard and the forwards. - Rafa Noboa y Rivera, Hudson River Blue

2. Orlando City -- Teal Bunbury (NE)

Sometimes you just go with the best available player. We felt like Bunbury was a guy who would just make the team better by being on it. His goal in the semifinals at Red Bull Arena is still fresh in our minds. And at 24 he's still got a lot of soccer left in him. - MC

2. NYCFC -- Jean-Baptiste Pierazzi (from SJE)

At 29, Pierazzi is in the prime of his career. He starred for AC Ajaccio for eight years before joining the Earthquakes. We felt that he would complement Lampard well, as well as being able to play major minutes for the team and take a leadership role when necessary. - RNR

3. Orlando City -- Davy Arnaud (DCU)

Experience again came into play with this pick. Arnaud is a wise veteran who we think could play behind Kaka, which is going to be important in Adrian Heath's system. - MC

3. NYCFC -- Dylan Remick (from SEA)

The 23-year-old Remick appeared in 13 games for the Sounders this year. What appealed to us were two things: first, his versatility - he can play both left back and center back. Second, his speed - he ran the 400M in high school, and over the course of those 13 games, he showed it. We felt that he could start right away for New York City. - RNR

4. Orlando City -- Andy Gruenebaum (SKC)

We wanted to get a goalkeeper with some experience with the mental makeup to back up Tally Hall. We felt like there were several choices available but our gut said Gruenebaum had the best mentality for both playing sparingly and to start the season as the number one guy while Hall recovers from his knee injury. - MC

4. NYCFC -- Benji Joya (from CHI)

Joya started nine games for the Chicago Fire, scoring 1 goal. He's also played and captained the USMNT U-20 squad. The best part: he's only 21, so he's yet to reach his peak as a player. Putting him in a midfield with Pierazzi and Lampard will do wonders for his development, while allowing him to contribute right from the start. - RNR

5. Orlando City -- Eddie Johnson (DCU)

This pick will cause an uproar with a lot of Orlando City fans, but we felt like bringing Johnson home might improve his moodiness and he would likely thrive taking through balls from guys like Kaka and Kevin Molino. - MC

5. NYCFC -- Chris Seitz (from DAL)

New York City already has a capable goalkeeper in Josh Saunders, who won two MLS Cups with the Galaxy. But Saunders hasn't played in the league for two years, and he's recently undergone knee surgery. For that reason, we picked Dallas goalkeeper Chris Seitz, who performed capably for the team. Even if Saunders ends up beating out Seitz for the starting role, it's good to have a capable backup should Saunders become injured. - RNR

6. Orlando City -- Brian Carroll (Philadelphia)

Carroll is an experienced veteran who can help young players like Tyler Turner, Rafael Ramos and Estrela learn how to be professionals at the MLS level. - MC

6. NYCFC -- Devon Sandoval (from RSL)

Sandoval began to blossom at RSL in Kreis' last season in charge; if he's available, I fully expect him to go to NYC. Sandoval played a large role for Real Salt Lake in his rookie year, scoring three goals in 17 league appearances, 10 of which were starts. This past season, he appeared in 15 games and had one assist. We think he'd pair up well with David Villa up top. - RNR

7. Orlando City -- David Horst (Houston)

Horst is a former first-round pick who can provide some additional experience and depth for the Orlando City back line. We felt like he was a guy people don't necessarily like to play against and that makes him the kind of player we like. - MC

7. NYCFC -- Chance Myers (from SKC)

The first overall pick six years ago, Myers has appeared in 123 games for Kansas City. In 2013, he led all Sporting KC defenders with 24 chances created from open play (via Opta). NYC desperately needs an anchor for their back line; at 26, Myers still hasn't hit his peak years as a defender, and he can be that anchor. - RNR

8. Orlando City -- Marvell Wynne (Colorado)

We might have gone with Chance Myers here but New York City FC snatched him up with the previous pick. Wynne is a veteran professional with good pace and might fit in well with Heath's 4-3-2-1 formation. - MC

8. NYCFC -- Danny Cruz (from PHI)

Cruz has been a workhorse for the Union since being acquired two years ago. In 2013, he played and started in 32 games, logging 2190 minutes. He scored three goals and assisted two. This past season, he appeared in 26 games, starting 16 of them and again scoring three goals and assisting two. He's listed as a midfielder, but can also double as a defender; his versatility and durability are why we picked him. - RNR

9. Orlando City -- Danny O'Rourke (Portland)

Although we're not sure how many older guys Heath will take, we felt O'Rourke provided some veteran MLS experience and some versatility in the lineup. It's likely the team will snap up more young players than we did, but, again, we went for experience here in a position (or positions) of need. - MC

9. NYCFC -- Patrick Mullins (from NER)

Mullins, a two-time Hermann Trophy award winner as the nation's top player in college, is a physical, left-footed forward, who is highly active both on and off the ball. This past season for New England, he appeared in 21 games, starting 14 of them. He scored four goals and had one assist. Like Sandoval, we think he pairs up well with Villa up top. - RNR

10. Orlando City -- Eric Gehrig (Columbus)

We toyed with the idea of grabbing Landon Donovan's rights here, but in the end we felt it was unlikely Orlando City would do so. Gehrig is younger than many of the selections we had made to this point, at 26, but we felt he was well coached in Columbus and might have yet to reach his potential. He might also provide some roster flexibility. - MC

10. NYCFC -- Servando Carrasco (from HOU)

Carrasco is another young midfielder with some potential. He's played for both the Sounders and Dynamo, starting nine games last season and appearing in seven others. We don't see him starting a lot of games, but over the course of a long season, he would do well as a rotation player, particularly when you take the Open Cup into consideration. - RNR