After growing up and spending his first five professional seasons in the Washington area, D.C. United midfielder Brian Carroll is on his way to California, at least for now, as one of 10 players selected by the San Jose Earthquakes in Wednesday’s expansion draft.
But if history is any indicator, Carroll’s final destination for the 2008 season is far from secure. None of the ten players selected by Toronto FC in last year’s expansion draft currently remain with the Canadian franchise, and only three of 20 total players chosen by Real Salt Lake and Chivas USA for the 2005 season are still with their respective teams.
“This is where my wife and I have been the past few years,” said Carroll, 26, who played at West Springfield High and then Wake Forest before being drafted by D.C. in 2003. “We’re happy here. I guess we’ll just have to figure out, once we land somewhere, what we’re going to do with our place and how we’re going to plan for the future.”
Carroll (2 career goals, 11 assists) has been a mainstay in the United midfield the past four years, leading the team in minutes played in 2005 and 2006 before losing his starting job to Clyde Simms this season.
“This is the unfortunate reality of expansion,” said United general manager Dave Kasper. “Brian has been a model professional on and off the field for D.C United, and we thank him for his five terrific years at the club.”
Note
» Alexandria-native Clarence Goodson (W.T. Woodson High/Maryland), a four-year veteran with FC Dallas, was also selected by the Earthquakes.
