Three former players from Chivas USA found new teams via the MLS Waiver Draft on Wednesday, headlined by veteran English midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker’s move to his second Canadian team in two seasons.
The Montreal Impact selected the 30-year-old Reo-Coker with the first overall pick in the draft, giving head coach Frank Klopas’ club some instant punch in the midfield after they missed the postseason for the second time in three years in 2014.
Reo-Coker split his time between the Vancouver Whitecaps and Chivas USA last season, notching two assists in 21 games. He made his MLS debut with Vancouver in 2013 and was a regular at BC Place, earning 32 appearances (31 starts) for the Caps.
"He fits the profile we were looking for in a midfielder," Impact head coach and director of player personnel Frank Klopas said in a statement. "He has strong leadership qualities and his addition will be positive for the group.”
Former Chivas USA winger Leandro Barrera was second overall in the draft by the San Jose Earthquakes. A 23-year-old Argentina native, Barrera scored a goal and added two assists in 32 appearances for the Goats last season, his first in the league.
The Colorado Rapids rounded out the day’s picks by selecting former Chivas USA defender Bobby Burling with the third overall pick. A nine-year MLS veteran who has played for Chivas during two separate stints sandwiched around a spell with the Earthquakes, the 30-year-old Burling appeared in 45 games over the past two seasons with the Goats.
All other teams passed on their selections in the draft.
