2020 MLS Expansion Draft

The rules for the 2020 MLS Expansion Draft as laid out by Major League Soccer.[2]

• The ten teams that had players selected by Inter Miami and Nashville SC during the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft will be exempt from the 2020 Expansion Draft: Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati, Columbus Crew, Los Angeles FC, Minnesota United, New England Revolution, New York City FC, Portland Timbers, Seattle Sounders, and Sporting Kansas City.
• The other 16 returning MLS clubs that competed during the 2020 season can protect 12 players from their senior, supplemental, and reserve rosters.
• If a player's contract expires at the end of 2020, he will still be considered part of the club's roster.
• If a club protects a player, the club is not obligated to exercise the player's option. The club may renegotiate a new contract with the player as in previous years, subject to the CBA.
• Generation adidas players who have not been graduated at the end of the 2020 MLS season and homegrown players (ages 25 and under – born in or after 1995) on a club's Roster at the end of the 2020 MLS Season are automatically protected. Clubs do not have to use a protected slot on them.
• Designated players are not automatically protected (i.e., clubs must choose whether to protect such players and if such player is not protected, he will be available for selection in the Expansion Draft).
• If a player has a no-trade clause in his contract, his MLS club must protect him, and he will count as one of the 12 players who may be protected.
• Austin FC is allowed up to five selections

• 2020 MLS Expansion Draft