NEW YORK — The Re-Entry Draft pool has changed ahead of Thursday's first stage. What that means for the likes of Kenny Cooper and others who opted out remains to be seen.
MLS on Thursday unveiled the updated list of 57 players, down from 66 on Monday, eligible for selection in the 2013 MLS Re-Entry Process, with a few key names such as FC Dallas' Cooper, New England's Kevin Alston and Toronto's Bobby Convey no longer eligible for selection after pulling out of the draft.
Also opting out were Chicago midfielder Daniel Paladini, Houston defender Mike Chabala, New York forward Andre Akpan, Real Salt Lake midfielder Yordany Alvarez and Seattle goalkeeper Josh Ford. Former Sounders midfielder Mauro Rosales in no longer eligible after being traded to Chivas USA.
The first stage of the Re-Entry Process, when clubs can claim players by exercising their current options or extending them a bona fide offer as stipulated by the CBA, will take place via conference call on Thursday, Dec. 12, at 3 pm ET.
Players that go unselected in the first stage will then be available for the second stage that will be held on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 3 pm ET, also via conference call. Accordig 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.
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 (8): M Corben Bone, D Shaun Francis, M Joel Lindpere, M Logan Pause, M Chris Rolfe, 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 (6): M Dwayne De Rosario, D James Riley, F Carlos Ruiz, M Marcelo Saragosa, M John Thorrington, D Daniel Woolard
FC Dallas (2): M David Ferreira, D Ugo Ihemelu
Houston Dynamo (4): D Bobby Boswell, F Calen Carr, M Alex Dixon, F Cam Weaver
LA Galaxy (4): M Colin Clark, M Laurent Courtois, D Sean Franklin, 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 David Horst, D Ryan Miller
Real Salt Lake (3): D Brandon McDonald, GK Josh Saunders, M Khari Stephenson
Seattle Sounders (3): D Marc Burch, M Blair Gavin, F Steve Zakuani
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.
