A new champion of Major League Soccer will be crowned Saturday when Toronto FC hosts Seattle Sounders FC in the 2016 MLS Cup (7 p.m. CT, FOX, UniMas).
Just hours after the confetti settles at BMO Field in Toronto, the MLS offseason will officially begin. For Sporting Kansas City, that means a variety of drafts and player acquisition mechanisms in the coming weeks that will shape the roster.
The first big offseason event is Tuesday's MLS Expansion Draft, giving Atlanta United and Minnesota United FC the opportunity to add up to five players each on their inaugural rosters.
CLICK HERE for the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft guidelines
After the Expansion Draft, players eligible for Free Agency can start negotiating with teams from around the league. The Waiver Draft, Re-Entry Process and MLS SuperDraft are fast approaching, not to mention trades between teams and international signings that will significantly impact the look of each club.
- CLICK HERE for the 2016 Waiver and Re-Entry Draft guidelines
Long story short, you'll want to keep a close eye on things over the next month as MLS sides begin preparation for the 2017 preseason, which officially begins Jan. 23.
MLS 2016-17 Offseason Calendar
<strong>DATE</strong> |
<strong>DETAILS</strong> |
Sunday, Dec. 11 |
Half-day trade window from 8-11 a.m. CT<br><br>
No trades involving players will be permitted after 11 a.m. CT up until the conclusion of the Expansion Draft |
Monday, Dec. 12 |
Expansion Draft Protected Player List and eligible Free Agents made public |
Tuesday, Dec. 13 |
Expansion Draft held at 1 p.m. CT<br><br>
Beginning at 4 p.m. CT, Free Agents may engage in negotiations with all MLS clubs |
Wednesday, Dec. 14 |
List of players eligible for selection in Waiver Draft made public |
Thursday, Dec. 15 |
Waiver Draft held at 1 p.m. CT<br><br>
Beginning at 4 p.m. CT, clubs may no longer sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players (player-trade blackout window)<br><br>
List of players available in Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft made public |
Friday, Dec. 16 |
Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft held at 2 p.m. CT |
Wednesday, Dec. 21 |
Starting at 10 a.m. CT, clubs may no longer sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players (player-trade blackout window)<br><br>
List of available players in Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft made public |
Thursday, Dec. 22 |
Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft held at 2 p.m. CT |
Jan. 7-12, 2017 |
2017 adidas MLS Player Combine |
Friday, Jan. 13, 2017 |
2017 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas |
Monday, Jan. 23, 2017 |
2017 MLS preseason begins |
