Forthcoming Major League Soccer expansion franchise Charlotte FC will conduct its expansion draft on Dec.14 and have the No. 1 overall selection in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft Jan. 11
Those events and dates were rolled out by MLS Friday as the short offseason, which has already started for FC Cincinnati and other non-MLS Cup playoff qualifiers, continues in the midst of the playoffs which kick-off Saturday.
The MLS season is scheduled to start Feb. 26.
More:MLS 2022 schedule: Short offseason ahead, Nashville SC switching to Western Conference
MLS offseason dates
• Nov. 24 - Deadline to submit bona fide offers - MLS clubs that did not qualify, and those clubs eliminated from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs by Nov. 23 must submit to the MLS League Office, in writing, all Bona Fide offers. All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs.
• Nov. 25-Dec. 12 - Playoff club deadline to submit bona fide offers - MLS clubs eliminated from the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs must submit to the MLS League Office, in writing, all Bona Fide offers on the day following the team’s elimination. All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs.
• Nov. 30 - Club deadline to exercise options - MLS clubs not competing in the Audi 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs (including clubs that did not qualify and those clubs eliminated by Nov. 29) must submit to the MLS League Office which players will have their options exercised, and which players will not have their options exercised. All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs.
• Dec. 1 - Dec. 12 - Playoff club deadline to exercise options - On the day following their elimination from the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, MLS clubs must notify the League Office which players will have their options exercised, and which players will not have their options exercised.
• Dec. 11 - MLS Cup final.
• Dec. 12 (9 a.m. ET-1 p.m. ET) - Half-day trade window opens (blackout period begins at 1 p.m.) - Following a three-month roster freeze, MLS clubs may begin making adjustments to their rosters and conduct trades with other MLS teams. Blackout Period begins whereby clubs may no longer sign and/or trade players until the conclusion of the 2021 MLS Expansion Draft.
• Dec. 14 - MLS expansion draft - Charlotte FC may select up to five players from the eligible player list. The list of players eligible for selection in the 2021 MLS Expansion Draft will be released by MLS Communications on Monday, Dec. 13.
• Dec. 15 - End-of-year waivers and free agency (1 p.m.) - The End-of-Year Waivers process is conducted in reverse order of 2021 season finish, considering postseason performance. Expansion club Charlotte FC will have the first pick in each round. Eligible for selection are players who do not meet the minimum requirements for Re-Entry Process or Free Agency. The list of players eligible for End-of-Year Waivers will be released by MLS Communications on Monday, Dec. 13. At 1 p.m., free agency opens.
• Dec. 17 (1 p.m.) - Re-entry process, stage 1 - The Re-Entry Process (Stage 1 and Stage 2) is conducted in reverse order of 2021 season finish, considering postseason performance. Expansion club Charlotte FC will have the 28th pick in each round. Eligible Players include those who are at least 22 years old, have a minimum of one service year, and their contract options were not exercised by their clubs or they did not receive a bona fide offer. The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 1 will be released by MLS Communications on Monday, Dec. 13.
• Dec. 23 (1 p.m.) - Re-entry process, stage 2 - The Re-Entry Process, Stage 2 is conducted in the same order as Stage 1 and consists of MLS players who were not selected in the Stage 1. Not all unselected Stage 1 players will be available for selection as players may re-sign with their previous club between stages or may opt out of the process. The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 2 will be released by MLS Communications on Dec. 23 at 10 a.m. ET.
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