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Major League Soccer (MLS) has officially announced the protected players lists for the upcoming 2024 MLS Expansion Draft, set to take place on December 11, 2024. This draft will allow San Diego FC, the league’s newest franchise, to select up to five players from the eligible pool of players across the existing 29 teams. Each team has protected 12 players, ensuring that they remain with their current clubs as San Diego builds its inaugural roster.
Key Takeaways
- The 2024 MLS Expansion Draft is scheduled for December 11, 2024, at 10:30 p.m. ET.
- San Diego FC can select up to five players from the eligible list.
- Each of the 29 existing teams has protected 12 players from selection.
- Homegrown players aged 25 and under are automatically protected.
Overview Of The Expansion Draft
The MLS Expansion Draft is a critical event for new teams entering the league, allowing them to acquire talent from existing clubs. San Diego FC will have the opportunity to enhance its roster by selecting players from a pool of 354 eligible players. The draft will be broadcast live on SanDiegoFC.com, featuring commentary from MLS experts.
Protected Players Lists
Each MLS team has submitted a list of 12 protected players. Here are some notable protected players from various clubs:
- Charlotte FC: Liel Abada, Patrick Agyemang, Tim Ream, Ashley Westwood
- Sporting Kansas City: Ryan Schewe, Joaquin Fernandez, Stephen Afrifa, William Agada
- Minnesota United FC: Michael Boxall, Hassani Dotson, Robin Lod, Dayne St. Clair
- Philadelphia Union: Andre Blake, Daniel Gazdag, Mikael Uhre, Kai Wagner
- New England Revolution: Carles Gil, Andrew Farrell, Giacomo Vrioni, Alhassan Yusuf
Homegrown Players Protection
In addition to the 12 protected players, each team has automatically protected Homegrown Players aged 25 and under. This ensures that young talent developed within the club’s academy systems remains with their respective teams. For example:
- Charlotte FC: Nimfasha Berchimas, Brandon Cambridge
- Sporting Kansas City: Ozzie Cisneros, Jake Davis
- Minnesota United FC: Devin Padelford, Patrick Weah
- Philadelphia Union: Brandan Craig, Jack McGlynn
- New England Revolution: Esmir Bajraktarević, Noel Buck
Draft Mechanics
The rules of the MLS Expansion Draft stipulate that only one player can be selected from any one club. Once a player is chosen from a team’s unprotected roster, that team is removed from the draft, ensuring that they cannot lose additional players. Clubs that have a player selected will receive $50,000 in General Allocation Money, which can be used to enhance their roster further.
Upcoming Offseason Events
Following the Expansion Draft, several key offseason events will take place:
- December 12: Free Agency begins
- December 12: End-of-Year Waivers process
- December 13: MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 1
- December 19: MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 2
- December 20: MLS SuperDraft 2025
As the MLS prepares for the 2024 season, the Expansion Draft represents a significant opportunity for San Diego FC to establish a competitive roster and for existing teams to strategize their future moves in the league.
Sources
- Charlotte FC Announce Protected List for 2024 MLS Expansion Draft | Charlotte FC, Charlotte FC.
- Sporting KC releases list of protected players ahead of 2024 MLS Expansion Draft | Sporting Kansas City, Sporting Kansas City.
- MNUFC Announces Protected Players Ahead of 2024 MLS Expansion Draft | Minnesota United FC, Minnesota United FC.
- Philadelphia Union Announce Protected List for 2024 MLS Expansion Draft – OurSports Central, OurSports Central.
- Revolution Protect 12 Players from 2024 MLS Expansion Draft – OurSports Central, OurSports Central.
