MLS Allocation Order and Process

By MLSsoccer staff @mls

Last update: April 29, 2021

The Allocation Process is the mechanism used to determine which club has first priority to acquire a player listed on the Allocation Ranking List. This list will consist of (i) select U.S. Men's National Team players, (ii) select youth U.S. National Team players, and/or (iii) former MLS players returning to MLS after joining a non-MLS club for an outgoing transfer fee of $500,000 or more. Generally, the League will update the Allocation Ranking List once a year (typically after the conclusion of the MLS Regular Season), but may make additional updates in its sole discretion, including, but not limited to, adding players transferred out of MLS and top U.S. youth national team players. (2021 MLS Competition Guidelines)

Allocation Ranking Order

Austin FC
Los Angeles Football Club
Houston Dynamo
DC United
Atlanta United
Chicago Fire
Real Salt Lake
Vancouver Whitecaps
Inter Miami
CF Montreal
San Jose Earthquakes
New York Red Bulls
FC Cincinnati
Colorado Rapids
Portland Timbers
New York City FC
Toronto FC
Philadelphia Union
Nashville SC
FC Dallas
Orlando City SC
Sporting Kansas City
New England Revolution
Minnesota United
Seattle Sounders FC
Columbus Crew SC
Los Angeles Galaxy

2021 Allocation Ranking List

Last update: January 7, 2021

The Allocation Ranking List is comprised of players in the following categories:

Select U.S. Men’s National Team players.
Select elite U.S. Youth National Team players.
Players transferred outside of MLS garnering a transfer fee of at least $500,000 (USD).

The players who will be included on the Allocation Ranking List will be determined by Major League Soccer’s player personnel department and club technical staffs and will be updated once each year, during the time window between the end of the MLS regular season and MLS Cup. The Allocation Ranking List will only be updated during the season if an elite U.S. youth national team player turns 18 or graduates from the U.S. Soccer Residency Program in Bradenton, FL and is deemed eligible for the list. In addition, the Allocation Ranking List will be updated when a player is transferred out of MLS for more than $500,000.

Allocation Ranking List Players: