NEW YORK – Three former league MVPs and a five-time MLS Cup winner are among the names released for Stage 2 of Major League Soccer’s Re-Entry Draft on Wednesday.
A week after five players were taken in Stage 1 of the Re-Entry process at their current salaries, 48 players are up for grabs for negotiations for new contracts in 2014 and beyond.
All players selected in Stage 1 were removed from the Re-Entry process, and four players have opted out of Stage 2 since the original list of available players was released last week.
Chicago Fire forward Chris Rolfe and midfielder/defender Logan Pause have both opted out, as has D.C. United midfielder John Thorrington. Portland Timbers defender David Horst was traded to Houston on Tuesday and is no longer available for selection.
According to league rules, teams will have seven days to make a bona fide offer to the players they select in Stage 2 and if an agreement can't be reached, the club will hold the right of first refusal for that player in MLS.
Any players not picked up after Stage 2 become available to any MLS club on a first-come, first-served basis.
Three players on the current list – Pablo Mastroeni, Kevin Hartman and Chris Albright – have all announced their retirement, but are still included on the list should they decide to return to the game. If a team drafts any of these three players and he does decide to come out of retirement, that team will hold the right of first refusal.
Former league MVPs Dwayne De Rosario (2011), David Ferreira (2010) and Carlos Ruiz (2002) are all available for selection, as is Colorado Rapids midfielder/defender Brian Mullan, one of three players in league history to win five MLS Cup titles.
The order for both Re-Entry stages will follow the same order as the MLS Waiver Draft: reverse order of finish in 2013, factoring in playoff finish (CLICK HERE for the Re-Entry order).
Players must meet a number of qualifications to become eligible for the Re-Entry Process.
2013 RE-ENTRY DRAFT ELEGIBLE PLAYERS BY CLUB
Chicago Fire (5):D Shaun Francis, M Joel Lindpere, F Maicon Santos, M Wells Thompson, M Michael Videira
Chivas USA (3):D Ante Jazic, D Steve Purdy, M Josue Soto
Columbus Crew (2): M Danny O'Rourke, M Konrad Warzycha
Colorado Rapids (3): GK Steward Ceus, D Brian Mullan, M Jamie Smith
D.C. United (5): M Dwayne De Rosario, D James Riley, F Carlos Ruiz, M Marcelo Saragosa, D Daniel Woolard
FC Dallas (2): M David Ferreira, D Ugo Ihemelu
Houston Dynamo (3): F Calen Carr, M Alex Dixon, F Cam Weaver
LA Galaxy (3): M Colin Clark, M Laurent Courtois, M Pablo Mastroeni (retired)
Montreal Impact (1): M Sinisa Ubiparipovic
New England Revolution (4): F Chad Barrett, F Ryan Guy, M Clyde Simms, M Juan Toja
New York Red Bulls (4): D Brandon Barklage, F Fabian Espindola, GK Kevin Hartman (retired), D Heath Pearce
Philadelphia Union (1): D Chris Albright (retired)
Portland Timbers (2): D Ryan Miller
Real Salt Lake (3): D Brandon McDonald, GK Josh Saunders, M Khari Stephenson
Seattle Sounders (1): M Blair Gavin,
San Jose Earthquakes (4): D Nana Attakora, M Mehdi Ballouchy, D Dan Gargan, GK Evan Newton
Toronto FC (1): F Justin Braun
Vancouver Whitecaps (2): GK Joe Cannon, F Corey Hertzog
NOTE: * indicates players out of contract. All other players had their options declined.
