D.C. United selected forward Joseph Ngwenya with the first pick in Stage 1 of the 2010 MLS Re-Entry Process. United exercised the option on Ngwenya’s contract and the player has been added to the club roster. United hold the first pick in Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Process on December 15.
“Joe is a guy that I always thought posed big problems for defenses in our League,” said United coach Ben Olsen. “He is an athletic guy that knows how to play the game, and I really do believe that his best days are ahead of him.”
Ngwenya comes to United from Houston, where he spent two seasons in 2010 and 2007. He re-signed with the Dynamo in April following a spell with Turkish side Antalyaspor. Ngwenya appeared in 12 MLS games in 2010, starting six times and scoring one goal for the Texas club.
In 2007 the Zimbabwean helped Houston win MLS Cup at RFK Stadium against the New England Revolution, scoring the tying goal in the second half.
It’s the first time league has used such a draft. It allows veteran or disgruntled players the option to move. The draft is a concession the players earned from the recent CBA.
Only two players were selected On Wednesday. More players are likely to be picked next week in Stage II where club’s can negotiate contracts with players and decide what salary to give them.
RE-ENTRY DRAFT PLAYER LIST
Chivas USA: Marcelo Saragosa (option declined), Alex Zotinca (option declined)
Colorado Rapids: Claudio Lopez (option declined), Ciaran O’Brien (option declined), Peter Vagenas (option declined)
Columbus Crew: Frankie Hejduk (option declined), Duncan Oughton (option declined), Gino Padula (option declined), Guillermo Barros Schelotto (option declined)
FC Dallas: Jeff Cunningham (option declined), Dario Sala (option declined)
D.C. United: Jaime Moreno (option declined)
Houston Dynamo: Ryan Cochrane (option declined), Richard Mulrooney (option declined), Joseph Ngwenya (option declined, selected by D.C. United in Stage 1), Pat Onstad (option declined), Adrian Serioux (option declined)
Los Angeles Galaxy: Jovan Kirovski (option declined), Dema Kovalenko (option declined)
New England Revolution: Preston Burpo (option declined), Nico Colaluca (option declined), Cory Gibbs (option declined), Khano Smith (option declined)
New York Red Bulls: Juan Pablo Angel (option declined), Luke Sassano (option declined), Carey Talley (option declined)
Philadelphia Union: Fred Carreiro (out of contract), Chris Seitz (option declined)
San Jose Earthquakes: Khari Stephenson (option declined)
Seattle Sounders: Tyrone Marshall (option declined)
Sporting Kansas City: Jimmy Conrad (out of contract), Aaron Hohlbein (out of contract, selected by Columbus Crew in Stage 1), Josh Wolff (option declined)
Toronto FC: Nick Garcia (option declined)
League Pool Goalkeeper: Chris Sharpe (option declined)
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