NEW YORK (Thursday, September 15, 2022) – Major League Soccer today announced the full calendar of offseason roster building events, highlighted by the MLS Expansion Draft on November 11 and the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas on December 21.
As 2023 expansion club St. Louis CITY SC prepares to begin MLS play next season, the team will have the opportunity to select up to five current MLS players to help shape the core of their inaugural roster during the MLS Expansion Draft. The club also holds the first overall selection in the 2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas.
The full calendar for offseason roster building events and dates are detailed below.
MLS Offseason Roster Building Events
Monday, November 7
Trade Window Opens - 9 a.m PT / 12 p.m. ET
Following a two-month roster freeze, MLS clubs may begin making adjustments to their rosters and conduct trades with other MLS teams.
All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs.
Wednesday, November 9
Trade Window Closes and Blackout Period Begins - 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET
Blackout Period begins whereby clubs may no longer sign and/or trade players until the conclusion of the MLS Expansion Draft.
Thursday, November 10
Expansion Protected Lists Announced - TBD
The list of players eligible for selection in the MLS Expansion Draft will be released by MLS Communications.
Friday, November 11
MLS Expansion Draft - TBD
St. Louis CITY SC may select up to five players from the eligible player list.
The list of players eligible for selection in the MLS Expansion Draft will be released by MLS Communications on Thursday, Nov. 10.
Expansion Draft Rules & Procedures
Monday, November 14
Club Deadline to Submit Bona Fide Offers - 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET
MLS clubs must submit to the MLS League Office, in writing, all Bona Fide offers.
All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs.
Club Deadline to Exercise Options - 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET
MLS clubs must submit to the MLS League Office which players will have their options exercised, and which players will not have their options exercised.
All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs.
Wednesday, November 16
Free Agency Opens - 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
Clubs may engage with players, other than their own, that are eligible for Free Agency.
Free Agency eligible players are out-of-contract and option-declined players who are at least 24 years old and who have completed a minimum of five service years.
Free Agency Rules & Procedures
MLS Communications will make the complete list of Free Agents available on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
Thursday, November 17
Re-Entry Process, Stage 1 - 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
The Re-Entry Process (Stage 1 and Stage 2) is conducted in reverse order of 2022 season finish, considering postseason performance. Expansion club St. Louis CITY SC will have the 29th position in each round.
Eligible Players include those who are at least 22 years old, have a minimum of one service year, and who are not eligible for Free Agency. An out-of-contract player who has received a BFO from his current club will not be eligible for the Re-Entry Draft.
MLS Re-Entry Process Rules
The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 1 will be released by MLS Communications on Wednesday, Nov. 16.
End-of-Year Waivers - 2 p.m. PT / 5 p.m. ET
The End-of-Year Waivers process is conducted in reverse order of 2022 season finish, considering postseason performance. Expansion club St. Louis CITY SC will get the 29th pick, the final selection in each round.
Eligible for selection are players who do not meet the minimum requirements for Re-Entry Process or Free Agency.
End-of-Year Waivers Rules & Procedures
The list of players eligible for the End-of-Year Waivers will be released by MLS Communications on Wednesday, Nov. 16._
Tuesday, November 22
Re-Entry Process, Stage 2 - 10 a.m. PT / 1 p.m. ET
The Re-Entry Process, Stage 2 is conducted in the same order as Stage 1 and consists of MLS players who were not selected in the Stage 1. Not all unselected Stage 1 players will be available for selection as players may re-sign with their previous club between stages or may opt out of the process.
MLS Re-Entry Process Rules_
The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 2 will be released by MLS Communications on Tuesday, Nov. 22._
Thursday, December 8 – Monday, December 12
MLS College Showcase - TBD
The third edition of the MLS College Showcase will take place from Dec. 8-12 in Cary, N.C. The event will give technical staffs from every MLS club an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation, including players with remaining NCAA eligibility.
Wednesday, December 21
2023 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas - TBD
The 2023 MLS SuperDraft will consist of three rounds of player selection. The MLS SuperDraft order is set by taking the reverse order of the club standings at the end of each MLS season, taking postseason performance into account, with new expansion club St. Louis CITY SC at the top of the order.
