On Wednesday, President Phil Rawlins, Head Coach Adrian Heath and General Manager Paul McDonough will head to New York, alongside one lucky fan, for a draw that will decide much of Orlando's fate when it comes to roster acquisitions for 2015.
At 2:00 p.m. in the MLSsoccer.com studios in New York City, the Expansion Priority Draw between Orlando City and NYCFC will take place to decide the order for the eight mechanisms for league player acquisition in 2015, including who will get the first pick in the MLS Expansion Draft and MLS SuperDraft. After a draw conducted by supporters of both clubs to determine which club goes first, head coach Adrian Heath and NYCFC's coach Jason Kreis will then alternate selections for priority among the following eight player acquisition mechanisms
MLS Expansion Draft
The expansion draft occurs whenever a new team enters the league. Each team gets to pick 10 unprotected players from the existing clubs in the league. Since two teams are entering the league, Orlando and New York will take alternating picks. Existing teams can protect up to 11 players, with homegrown players automatically protected, and teams will be removed from the draft after losing two players.
MLS SuperDraft
The SuperDraft is the process whereby the all of the leagues teams get to pick players coming in from the college system. As expansion teams, Orlando City and NYCFC will have the first two picks in the draft.
USSF Division-2 Pro League Player Priority Ranking
Orlando City will have priority over players on their current roster and one USL PRO/NASL League player, subject to another MLS club’s right of first refusal. Should both clubs request the same player on the opening day, the Club with No. 1 ranking will have priority that day.
Designated Player Rankings
Although it has never been used, the designated player ranking would give a club first right of refusal on a player who was entering the league as a DP. Orlando City and NYCFC will get the first and second ranking spots.
Allocation Ranking
The allocation ranking is used to determine which club has first priority to acquire a USMNT player who has signed with the league, or a player who returns to the MLS after playing abroad. Once a club uses its ranking to acquire a player, they drop to the bottom of the list. As new franchises, Orlando City and NYCFC will take the top two spots in the allocation order.
Discovery Ranking
MLS clubs can make up to six discovery claims (ten for expansion clubs) on players outside of the MLS system and not subject to the allocation or lottery system. Should two teams make a claim on the same player at the same time (e.g. on the first day for discovery claims), then the ranking is used to determine who gets the first rights of refusal on the player. Orlando City and NYCFC will get the last two positions in the order.
Waiver / Re-Entry Draft Ranking
This ranking determines the priority order for picking up players whose current club have not exercised their option, or players who have been placed on waiver by their club. Orlando City and NYCFC will take the bottom two positions in the order.
Lottery Ranking
The lottery system is a weighted lottery which assigns Generation Adidas players and draft eligible players who were signed to the league after the MLS SuperDraft. The higher the ranking, the more chance the team will have of winning. Orlando City and NYCFC will take the bottom two positions in the order.
