Let the prognostications begin …

Of course, the big news today is the release of the protected player lists for tomorrow’s expansion draft, in which the Philadelphia Union will begin to shape its inaugural roster with 10 selections. Kyle McCarthy reports on the Revolution’s protected list with a piece in the Boston Herald, while he also confirms reports that head coach Steve Nicol has signed a multi-year contract extension. Nicol has guided the Revs to the playoffs in each of his eight seasons at the helm, while he’s also led New England to six Eastern Conference Championship games and four MLS Cup appearances - not to mention titles in both the 2007 U.S. Open Cup and SuperLiga 2008.

If you’re interested in the entire list of who is protected and unprotected from each team in MLS, you can find that information in a piece at Goal.com. Finally, McCarthy has MLS Commissioner Don Garber’s thoughts on the 2009 campaign and the future in a story on MLSnet.com.