Eligible Player Lists revealed as Austin FC to select up to five players this Tuesday in 2020 MLS Expansion Draft

MLS reveals Eligible Player Lists for offseason roster mechanisms, including Expansion Draft, End-of-Year Waivers, Free Agency, and the Re-Entry Process
NEW YORK
(Monday, December 14, 2020) 
– Major League Soccer today released the lists of players eligible for selection by Austin FC in the 2020 MLS Expansion Draft.  The 2020 MLS Expansion Draft will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, December 15 at 6 p.m. ET, and will be streamed live on
MLSsoccer.com
, 
MLS App
, 
Facebook
, 

, and 
.
The off-season roster building events continue with End-of-Year Waivers and the opening of Free Agency on Dec. 16, followed by Stage 1 of the Re-Entry Process on Dec. 17, and Stage 2 on Dec. 22.
2020 MLS Expansion Draft
MLS newcomer Austin FC will continue to build its inaugural season roster by selecting up to five players from the eligible player list. While 10 teams are exempt from losing players after having players selected in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft, the remaining 16 teams were allowed to protect up to 12 eligible players.  Austin FC will select up to five players from a list of 160 players.
Exempt clubs are as follows: Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew SC, Sporting Kansas City, Los Angeles Football Club, Minnesota United FC, New England Revolution, New York City FC, Portland Timbers and Seattle Sounders FC.
Expansion Draft Rules & Procedure
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Expansion Draft Eligible List
End-of-Year Waivers


On Wednesday, Dec. 16 (1 p.m. ET), the End-of-Year Waivers process gives the clubs that finished at the bottom of the 2020 standings the first opportunities to select from out-of-contract, typically young players who have not met the minimum number of service years for Free Agency or the Re-Entry Process. Beginning in reverse order, and taking into account postseason performance, FC Cincinnati will select first. The 2020 MLS Cup champions Columbus Crew SC will have the 26th pick, and expansion club Austin FC will have the 27th selection to end each round. 




End-of-Year Waivers Process Rules & Procedure 
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End-of-Year Waivers List
Free Agency


Immediately following the End-of Year-Waivers process, Free Agency also will open on Dec. 16 for players who are at least age 24 with at least five MLS service years and either option-declined or out-of-contract. Free Agents can negotiate a new contract with any MLS club, including their previous team, subject to certain restrictions. There is no limit on the number of Free Agents a team may sign each year.
Free Agents may participate in the Re-Entry Process.




Free Agency Rules & Procedures 
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Free Agency List


Re-Entry Process


The Re-Entry Process, Stage 1 begins on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 1 p.m. ET. Similar to the End-of-Year Waivers process, the Re-Entry process is conducted in the reverse order of the 2020 season finish, keeping in mind postseason performance and any trades impacting selection order. During the Re-Entry process, MLS clubs can select from option-declined players who are at least 22 years old with a minimum of one service years.
*Note: The Re-Entry List is subject to change since players can opt out.


Re-Entry Process Rules & Procedure 
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Re-Entry List




The final postseason roster mechanism will be Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Process which will be conducted on Tuesday, Dec. 22. The list of players eligible for Re-Entry, Stage 2 will be announced on Dec. 22 at 11 a.m. ET.