Asad, Walkes left unprotected by Atlanta United

September 13, 2017 Atlanta Atlanta United miedfielder Yamil Azad celebrate the four goal of the team scored by Atlanta United defender Anton Walkes (26).

Credit: MIguel Martinez

Credit: MIguel Martinez

September 13, 2017 Atlanta Atlanta United miedfielder Yamil Azad celebrate the four goal of the team scored by Atlanta United defender Anton Walkes (26).

Atlanta United left unprotected on Sunday 15 players, including Yamil Asad, Anton Walkes and Romario Williams, for the upcoming expansion draft.

MLS allowed each of the 22 teams to protect as many as 11 players. Those lists of protected/unprotected players were released by the league on Sunday.

The expansion draft to help LAFC build its roster for its inaugural season will be held Tuesday. The team will make five selections. Once LAFC selects a player, his former team can’t have another of its unprotected players selected. It is the same set of rules used during last year’s expansion draft for Atlanta United and Minnesota United.

Homegrown Players and Generation Adidas players are exempt from needing to be protected.

Atlanta United’s unprotected players:

Midfielder Yamil Asad, who was on loan and whose stats hasn’t been announced.

Fullback Mark Bloom, whose contract option wasn’t picked up.

Defender Bobby Boswell, whose contract expired and is a free agent.

Midfielder Kevin Kratz.

Midfielder Jeff Larentowicz, who was included among the list of free agents posted by the league on Sunday. Atlanta United had declined to say what Larentowicz's status was for the past few weeks.

Fullback Tyrone Mears, whose contract option wasn’t picked up.

Midfieflder Chris McCann.

Midfielder Kevin Oliveira, who was acquired on Sunday in a trade with Sporting KC.

Midfielder Jeffrey Otoo, whose contract option wasn’t picked up.

Midfielder Tyler Pasher, who was acquired on Sunday in a trade with Sporting KC.

Midfielder Jacob Peterson.

Goalkeeper Kyle Reynish, whose contract expired and is a free agent.

Defender Anton Walkes.

Midfielder Andrew Wheeler-Omiunu.

Striker Romario Williams, who spent last season with Charleston, Atlanta United’s USL affiliated team.

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Atlanta United’s protected players:

Midfielder Miguel Almiron, nine goals, 14 assists.

Midfielder Carlos Carmona.

Fullback Greg Garza, recently signed on a permanent transfer.

Defender Leandro Gonzalez Pirez, finished fourth in MLS Defender of the Year voting.

Midfielder Julian Gressel, Rookie of the Year.

Goalkeeper Brad Guzan.

Goalkeeper Alec Kann.

Striker Josef Martinez, 19 goals.

Defender Michael Parkhurst, team captain.

Forward Brandon Vazquez.

Forward Hector Villalba, Double-double in goals and assists.

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Players who are exempt:

Andrew Carleton, Chris Goslin and Miles Robinson. (George Bello, Lagos Kunga and Patrick Okonkwo are also Homegrowns, but won’t be on the roster until January 2018.)