MLS Free Agency officially began today immediately following the conclusion of the Expansion Draft, and the Waiver Draft comes a day later on Wednesday.
The week wraps up with Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Draft which will be held on Dec. 15, followed the next week by Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Draft on Dec. 21.
2017 Offseason Calendar | |
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December 12 11:00 AM PT Tuesday | Expansion Draft While Generation adidas and off-budget Homegrown Players are automatically exempt, current MLS clubs may protect up to 11 players from selection in the Expansion Draft. LAFC may select up to five players from the eligible MLS player pool. Only a single player can be drafted from any one club. |
December 12 12:00 PM PT Tuesday | Free Agency Begins Out-of-contract players and those who had their contract option declined who were at least 28 years old during the 2017 season and have at least eight years of MLS service are eligible for Free Agency. |
December 13 12:30 PM PT Wednesday | 2017 MLS Waiver Draft Consisting of players who have been waived by clubs and do not meet minimum years of service requirement for Re-Entry Draft or Free Agency; the draft is conducted in reverse order of 2017 season finish, taking into account postseason performance, with expansion LAFC picking 23rd. |
December 15 12:00 PM PT Friday | 2017 MLS Re-Entry Draft – Stage 1 The Re-Entry Draft (both stages) is conducted in reverse order of 2017 season finish, taking into account postseason performance, with expansion club LAFC selecting last. |
December 21 11:00 AM PT Thursday | 2017 MLS Re-Entry Draft – Stage 2 Stage 2 includes MLS players who were not selected in the Stage 1 draft, but not necessarily all Stage 1 players as they can re-sign with their previous club between stages; teams selecting in this stage have the right to negotiate with the player for a new contract; the format of the draft is conducted in the same manner as Stage 1. |