In our continuing MLS 101 series we take a look at MLS expansion draft. What it is, how it works, and the history of previous drafts.
The idea of the expansion draft in MLS is to create a pool of existing league players from which the team or teams entering the league can draw from. This gives clubs the opportunity to build a roster with proven MLS talent and experience so that they may ideally step in and compete from year one. The current league structure for creating the pool of players available is as follows:
Existing teams are allowed to protect 11 players from their rosters. Generation Adidas (a program that encourages early entry in to the SuperDraft) players are automatically protected, though players who graduated from the program to the senior roster at the end of the season are not.
Homegrown players on the team's off-budget roster are automatically protected and do not count against each team's 11 protected roster spots.
Designated players only have to be protected if they have a no-trade clause.
The full set of rules for this years expansion draft
The first MLS expansion draft took place in 1997 when Chicago Fire and Miami Fusion F.C. entered the league. Since then, seven expansion drafts have been held for the addition of nine clubs.
2004 - Chivas USA and Real Salt Lake
2006 - Toronto FC
2007 - San Jose Earthquakes
2008 - Seattle Sounders
2009 - Philadelphia Union
2010 - Vancouver Whitecaps and Portland Timbers
2011 - Montreal Impact
Here are some of the notable selections made during the league’s expansion history:
1997 - GK - Kevin Hartman - Drafted 3rd by Chicago Fire from D.C. United
2006 - F - Jason Kreis - Drafted 7th by Toronto FC from Real Salt Lake
2008 - M - Brad Evans - Drafted 10th by Seattle Sounders FC from Columbus Crew
2009 - F - Sébastion Le Toux - Drafted 4th by Philadelphia Union from Seattle Sounders FC
2010 - M - Dax McCarty - Drafted 1st by Portland Timbers from FC Dallas (Traded to D.C United for Rodney Wallace)
2011 - F - Brian Ching - Drafted 1st by Montreal Impact from Houston Dynamo (Traded back to Houston Dynamo)
Orlando City SC will select first in the 2014 Expansion Draft and will alternate selections with New York City FC. In total, Orlando will have ten selections in the draft.
Orlando will be on the other side of the coin in 2017 when Atlanta and LAFC enter the MLS.
