MLS releases its 2016-17 offseason calendar

Major League Soccer set the dates for its upcoming offseason. While this is not the most exciting announcement generally, there is lots of information to keep in mind here from an Atlanta United perspective.

Following MLS Cup on December 10, teams will have a three hour Trade Window on Sunday, December 11 from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. A trade blackout will then start and run through the Expansion Draft. Trades not involving players (General Allocation Money, Targeted Allocation Money, draft picks, international roster slots, etc.) are permitted at any time.

The Expansion Draft is set for Tuesday, December 13 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The list of players left unprotected by their current teams will be released on Monday, December 12.

After the Expansion Draft, players eligible for MLS Free Agency can begin negotiating with any team starting at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. That list will also be made public on Monday, December 12.

The Waiver Draft will be on Thursday, December 15 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The list of players available will be released the prior day.

Starting at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 15, teams cannot sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players. The list of Re-Entry players will be made public at that time. Stage One of the Re-Entry Process will be on Friday, December 16 and the Stage Two will take place on Thursday, December 22.

The adidas MLS Player Combine will take place in Los Angeles between January 7-12, 2017 at the StubHub Center. This will allow MLS clubs to evaluate the talent available in the MLS SuperDraft, which will be held on Friday, January 13 at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

MLS preseason will begin on Monday, January 23.