NEW YORK
(Tuesday, November 19, 2019)
– Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC supporters were out in full force on Tuesday night to witness their respective clubs adding five current MLS players for their inaugural rosters during the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft. Miami maintained each of their Expansion Draft picks, while Nashville traded two of their selections away once the trade window reopened following the event.
Media Assets
- Photography: Photos from events in Miami and Nashville are available here.
- Video: Soundbytes and b-roll from each city will be available here.
With the first pick in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft, Inter Miami CF selected New York City FC defender Ben Sweat, who saw 13 starts in 18 appearances and contributed two assists. The club also added FC Cincinnati defender Alvas Powell before locking in Los Angeles Football Club midfielder Lee Nguyen, who helped lead LAFC to a record-breaking regular season to capture the Supporters’ Shield. Miami’s final two picks were Columbus Crew SC midfielder Luis Argudo and Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Bryan Meredith.
With the No. 2 pick in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft, Nashville SC selected Minnesota United FC forward Abu Danladi before taking Portland Timbers defender Zarek Valentin and subsequently trading him to the Houston Dynamo in exchange for goalkeeper Joe Willis. Selecting New England Revolution defender Jalil Anibaba with their third pick, Nashville then chose Atlanta United forward Brandon Vazquez, but traded him to FC Cincinnati for $150,000 in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money. Sporting Kansas City’s Jimmy Medranda was Nashville’s fifth and final pick.
Inter Miami Sporting Director Paul McDonough announced each of the club’s Expansion Draft picks. In Nashville, owner John Ingram, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry, Boston Red Sox right fielder and Nashville native Mookie Betts, Judah and the Lion band member Nate Zuercher, and a Nashville SC supporter announced their five selections.
PLAYERS SELECTED IN 2019 MLS EXPANSION DRAFT
<strong>Draft Order</strong> |
<strong>Player </strong> |
<strong>Expansion Team Selection</strong> |
<div>1</div> |
<div>Ben Sweat (New York City FC)</div> |
<div>Inter Miami CF</div> |
<div>2</div> |
<div>Abu Danladi (Minnesota United FC)</div> |
<div>Nashville SC</div> |
<div>3</div> |
<div>Alvas Powell (FC Cincinnati)</div> |
<div>Inter Miami CF</div> |
<div>4</div> |
<div>Zarek Valentin (Portland Timbers)</div><em>*Traded to Houston Dynamo for </em><em>goalkeeper Joe Willis</em> |
<div>Nashville SC</div> |
<div>5</div> |
<div>Lee Nguyen (Los Angeles Football Club)</div> |
<div>Inter Miami CF</div> |
<div>6</div> |
<div>Jalil Anibaba (New England Revolution)</div> |
<div>Nashville SC</div> |
<div>7</div> |
<div>Luis Argudo (Columbus Crew SC)</div> |
<div>Inter Miami CF</div> |
<div>8</div> |
<div>Brandon Vazquez (Atlanta United)</div><em>*Traded to FC Cincinnati for $150,000 in 2020 Targeted Allocation Money</em> |
<div>Nashville SC</div> |
<div>9</div> |
<div>Bryan Meredith (Seattle Sounders FC)</div> |
<div>Inter Miami CF</div> |
<div>10</div> |
<div>Jimmy Medranda (Sporting Kansas City)</div> |
<div>Nashville SC</div> |
