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MLS Re-Entry Draft Round 2

Is a return of Nate Jaqua to the Chicago Fire the best we might get today?
Is a return of Nate Jaqua to the Chicago Fire the best we might get today?

Round 2 of the MLS Re-Entry Draft will conclude shortly around 1:00 PM CST today. All four of the top targets in Gregg Mixdorf's original article are off the board. Bobby Convey was traded to Sporting Kansas City. Chivas USA selected Arturo Alvarez and his ridiculous salary in Round 1 of the Re-Entry Draft. Santino Quaranta and Andy Williams both retired from the league. We really are looking at the scrap heap at this point. Full list and possible targets after the break.

2011 Team Player Pos. Years of MLS Experience
Chicago Fire Conway, Jon GK 12
Dufty, Alec GK 3
Husidic, Baggio M 3
Chivas USA Boyens, Andrew D 5
Chijindu, Chukwudi M/F 3
Elliott, Simon M 9
Thornton, Zach GK 16
Trujillo, Mariano M 3
Colorado Rapids Holody, Mike D 3
Columbus Crew Burns, Kevin M 4
Cunningham, Jeff F 14
D.C. United Barklage, Brandon M 3
Burch, Marc D 6
Cronin, Steve GK 7
McTavish, Devon D 6
Ngwenya, Joseph F 6
Simms, Clyde M 7
Zayner, Jed D 6
FC Dallas Galindo, Maykel F 5
Santos, Maicon M 3
Houston Dynamo Freeman, Hunter D 6
Garey, Jason F 6
Robinson, Eddie D 11
LA Galaxy Hejduk, Frankie D 9
Robinson, Dasan D 5
Montreal Impact Pore, Ryan M 5
New England Revolution Cochrane, Ryan D 8
Dube, Kheli F 4
Phelan, Pat M 4
New York Red Bulls Albright, Chris D 13
Coundoul, Bouna GK 7
Philadelphia Union Harrison, Chase GK 4
Miglioranzi, Stefani M 6
Portland Timbers Brown, Adin GK 6
Lopez, Rodrigo M 4
Lowry, Peter M 4
Real Salt Lake Gonzalez, Nelson M/F 3
McKenzie, Rauwshan D 4
Wagner, Blake M 4
San Jose Earthquakes Leitch, Chris D 10
Moreira, Andre Luiz M 3
Peterson, Jacob M 6
Sealy, Scott F 7
Weber, Andrew GK 4
Seattle Sounders FC Jaqua, Nate F 9
Noonan, Pat F 9
Sporting Kansas City Thomas, Shavar D 9
Vancouver Whitecaps FC Janicki, Greg D 3
Leathers, Jonathan D 4
Vagenas, Peter M 12

This isn't a very inspiring list. We are talking guys who could be anywhere from 10th to 18th here on roster importance here... possibly much less. I wouldn't mind seeing Nate Jaqua return to the club he started his career with. Jaqua understands the importance of the U.S. Open Cup and he can help Orr Barouch develop as a target forward. Dominic Oduro and Patrick Nyarko made for a dynamic forward combination but they also limited head coach Frank Klopas' tactical playbook but having zero aerial presence in the box. Jaqua is a good fit for several reasons.

I'd be surprised if the team selects a central midfielder. It looks like Pavel Pardo will be returning. There's also Sebastian Grazzini, Logan Pause, Corben Bone, and Daniel Paladini all looking like locks to wear Fire red in 2012. It would be wise for Klopas and company to target the MLS SuperDraft in January for a midfielder to stay with the team for a couple of years. Let them learn from Pardo, Grazzini, and Pause. I don't see the sense in bringing in any of the central midfielders on this list. In that same line of thought, I could see the team taking a defensive back like Jonathan Leathers but I think they should look to the SuperDraft. Dan Gargan and Gonzalo Segares need a player who will push them and substitute them for minutes but instead of a vet, why not a rookie Gargan and Segares can be mentors to? Don't forget Steven Kinney will allegedly be playing soccer in 2012.

It won't be all that surprising if the Chicago Fire just pass on picking a player. Either way, we'll have the update for you later on today.