:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/57663743/usa_today_10193798.0.jpg)
It’s getting to be the time that teams start making roster moves for next season. The official dates from MLS have been released for when the moves are due and when certain events will take place. The next month will certainly give some idea of what the Atlanta United front office is thinking in terms of needs that the team will look to meet in the January transfer window and in the MLS Super Draft next year.
Some questions will be answered, like:
Is Yamil Asad going to be finally signed?
Did Kenwyne Jones actually clean out his locker?
What in the name of Don Garber is a half day trade window?
The whole list is below, but of note:
Despite some specious conjecture that there would not be one, MLS has announced that LAFC will indeed get an expansion draft to come into the league for their first season. It will give Atlanta United fans a time to share a collective sense of tension and nervousness while willing LA to not see the obvious genius of picking one of our unprotected players.
The full weirdness of MLS roster rules is on display here, really highlighting the yoeman-like work of TiotalFootball in his summation of how to build an MLS team.
2017 Offseason Calendar
| November 27 1:00 PM ET Monday | Option Exercise Deadline Clubs no longer competing in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs must notify the League Office in writing of (1) players whose options they are exercising and/or (2) players who are receiving bona fide offers, announced by the teams. |
|---|---|
| November 27 1:00 PM ET Monday | Option Exercise Deadline Clubs no longer competing in the Audi 2017 MLS Cup Playoffs must notify the League Office in writing of (1) players whose options they are exercising and/or (2) players who are receiving bona fide offers, announced by the teams. |
| December 1 1:00 PM ET Friday | Option Exercise Deadline for Non-MLS Cup Participants Non-MLS Cup participants must notify the League Office in writing of (1) players whose options they are exercising and/or (2) players who are receiving bona fide offers, announced by the clubs. |
| December 10 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET Sunday | Half-Day Trade Window Following a three-month roster freeze, MLS clubs may begin making adjustments to their rosters. This is a four-hour window in which clubs may sign and trade players. |
| December 10 Noon ET Sunday | Option Exercise Deadline for MLS Cup Participants Clubs that compete in MLS Cup must notify the League Office in writing of (1) players whose options they are exercising and/or (2) players who are receiving bona fide offers. |
| December 10 1:00 PM ET Sunday | Blackout Period begins Blackout Period begins whereby clubs may no longer sign and/or trade their own draft-eligible players until the conclusion of the Expansion Draft. |
| December 12 2:00 PM ET 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 3:00 PM ET 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 3:30 PM ET 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 3:00 PM ET 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 2:00 PM ET 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. |