MLS’s incoming clubs, Atlanta United and Minnesota United, continued stocking their rosters Tuesday by selecting five players apiece from existing teams in the expansion draft. Ten teams lost one player apiece while the other 10 were untouched.
D.C. United was in the latter group, dodging the possible loss of starting midfielder Jared Jeffrey, among others. Captain Bobby Boswell was also left unprotected, though age and salary dropped his value to expansion sides.
It’s not unusual for expansion clubs to select players for the purpose of leverage and trades. Prearranged deals are common and announced later.