Atlanta United ineligible to participate in 2015 MLS re-entry draft

You can probably file this one under the category of "yeah...well, duh...", but Atlanta United will not be participating in the 2015 MLS re-entry draft. A team spokesperson confirmed to DSS that the club cannot sign any players in the re-entry draft. It never hurts to ask the question, even if the answer might be obvious.

It is still not known exactly when Atlanta United will be able to officially begin signing players. It was always a pie-in-the-sky idea of the club snagging someone in the re-entry draft, but that idea has now officially been put to bed. Signing a player approximately 15 months before the club's first MLS match may not be the best strategy, but if the right player came along signing him and loaning him out for the year isn't the craziest of scenarios.

A player like Marco Pappa, formerly of the Seattle Sounders, is available in this year's MLS re-entry draft and could've been worth that type of long-term commitment. A creative midfielder who has a long track record of success in the league. He would've been a very nice potential target for United, alas, it's not to be. We continue the wait and the discussion.

For newer fans of MLS who may not know what the re-entry draft is, it's a draft that allows clubs to select players who are not under contract with any team, but may want to remain in MLS. There are two stages of the draft and there have been some notable players selected and in turn been productive.

AUFC will likely be able to participate in next year's re-entry draft and make a selection or two if one is available that they desire.