The Daily Links- Seth Sinovic Edition

Montreal beckons, its not so bad up there – better than playing in the Kansas City rec leagues. It is still Major League Soccer, even if its going to be cold enough at times that you might wish for a Kansas City winter. Of course we’ll see you again at Livestrong but even in an Impact shirt, but your still part of Kansas City and always will be, you were born here after all. You still represent us, and if you continue in Canada as you did this year we will continue to to watch follow and call you one of our own with regret that your no longer a ‘Wizard’, but the pride and knowledge that you still are one of us.

Dear Seth " SportingTimes.net | The Independent Sporting Kansas City Web Site

Sporting Kansas City defender Seth Sinovic was selected by the Montreal Impact in the 2011 Expansion Draft on Wednesday. Sinovic, who joined Sporting Kansas City in May of 2011, appeared in 20 matches during SportingKansas City’s run to the Eastern Conference final.

Sinovic selected by Montreal in 2011 Expansion Draft | Sporting Kansas City

Sporting Kansas City announced Wednesday that defender Scott Lorenz along with midfielders Jeferson, Milos Stojcev and Craig Rocastle have been waived.

Sporting Kansas City waives four players | Sporting Kansas City

It really does suck to lose him, he'd been a solid contributor, and combine that with the fact that he's from KC and it hurts just a little more. The one good thing in all of this is that KC does have some depth in this position. Harrington and Espinoza will likely be two candidates to take over the starting spot with Sinovic gone. Harrington can start on either wing back, and depending on the midfielder that is brought in, Espinoza could look to slot back into the left back position. Other options include Korede Aiyegbusi and even Kevin Ellis. 

Down the Byline: Sinovic to Montreal in Expansion Draft

The Montreal Impact threw a few surprises into their picks in Wednesday's Expansion Draft, selecting several marquee names, including Houston's Brian Ching and Philadelphia's Justin Mapp. Ching has gone on the record to say he would not move to Montreal if picked. How that will play out remains to be seen, and Montreal coach Jesse Marsch said he is still open to various options.

Ching, Mapp headline Montreal expansion draft picks | MLSsoccer.com

Sporting Kansas City’s fanbase was understandably upset when Montreal took hometown boy Seth Sinovic with the final pick in Wednesday’s Expansion Draft. Manager Peter Vermes, however, approached the Impact’s selection of Sinovic far more pragmatically. Truthfully, he didn’t have a choice.

Sporting KC move on after losing Sinovic to Impact | MLSsoccer.com

MLS attendance was up 7 percent this year and TV ratings improved, too. Average crowds of more than 17,800 would seem to indicate that if soccer is still a minority sport in the U.S., it's becoming a significant one. Average attendance was higher in MLS than in the NHL or the NBA -- you remember the NBA, don't you? What did not help was the scheduling of the showpiece MLS Cup match against an attractive NFL game between the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. It's important for the development of soccer in the U.S. that the big match gets its own window in future years.

MLS deserves to succeed, but there's still lots of work to be done -- Ian Darke - ESPN