With the 2016 season over, many are already counting down the days to the start of the 2017 season. While Orlando City is just as excited to kickoff in their new stadium, there are a couple of major events that will take place first. Here is a breakdown of the 2016-2017 offseason:
Expansion Draft-- December 12th, 2016
The first major event of the offseason is the Expansion Draft, where the new MLS teams have the chance to pick some veteran MLS players for their squads. This year, the draft will consist of five rounds, where Minnesota United FC and Atlanta United FC will have the chance to pick five eligible players from the 20 MLS rosters.
Waiver Draft-- December 15th, 2016
The Waiver Draft is another component of the MLS offseason. Clubs release lists of players eligible among those that are out-of-contract with the club or have had their extensions denied. Players who do not meet the players for the MLS Re-Entry Draft are eligible for the Waiver Draft.|
Re-Entry Draft-- December 16th, 2016 (Stage One) and December 22nd, 2016 (Stage Two)
The Re-Entry Draft allows players who are out-of-contract or have had their extensions denied to be picked up by other teams. This draft, along with the Waiver Draft, are basically the MLS equivalent of free agency. Players who are at least 23 years old and have a minimum of three years of MLS experience whose options were not exercised by their clubs, players who are at least 25 years old with a minimum of four years of MLS experience who are out of contract and whose club does not offer them a contract at their previous salary, and players who are at least 30 years old with a minimum of eight years of MLS experience who are out of contract and whose club does not wish to re-sign them are available.
MLS SuperDraft-- January 13th, 2017
The MLS SuperDraft gives teams the opportunity to sign players who have graduated college or otherwise been signed by the league. The draft is divided into four rounds, with each team getting one pick. Orlando City currently has the 8th pick in the first round, the 52nd pick in the third round, and the 74th pick in the fourth round. Superstar Cyle Larin was Orlando City’s first pick of the 2015 MLS season.
The MLS preseason will kickoff on January 23rd, but the matches have not been scheduled yet.
