2019 MLS Re-Entry Draft

Lore & Background

The draft made available players meeting specific age and service requirements under the MLS Collective Bargaining Agreement. In Stage 1, eligible players included those at least 23 years old with three years of MLS experience whose contract options were not exercised, available at their option salary for 2020; players at least 25 with four years of experience who were out of contract and not re-signed, available for at least their 2019 salary; and free agents who chose to participate. Clubs could pass on their selection. Players not selected in Stage 1 became available for Stage 2, where selecting clubs could negotiate a new salary. If a selected player was not under contract, the club had to make a genuine offer within seven days, subject to League Office approval.

Reader's Guide

The 2019 MLS Re-Entry Draft served as a structured method for clubs to acquire experienced players whose contracts had expired or options were declined, while providing those players a path to new teams. The two-stage format allowed clubs in Stage 1 to claim players at predetermined salaries, while Stage 2 permitted salary negotiation. The inclusion of expansion teams Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF at the end of the order reflected their entry into the league. Players unselected after Stage 2 became available to any MLS club on a first-come, first-served basis. The draft underscored the league's collective bargaining framework and its mechanisms for managing player movement between seasons.

Did You Know?

• The league released the list of available players for Stage 1 on November 22, 2019.
• Nashville SC and Inter Miami CF received selections #25 and #26, respectively.
• Clubs selecting players in Stage 2 could negotiate a new salary with the player.