Now that Atlanta United knows it can pick just five players in the MLS expansion draft, how many players does the team still need to sign to fill its rosters and how can acquire those players ahead of its inaugural 2017 season?
MLS rosters can have as many as 28 players. From 18-20 players count against the salary cap. These players are the Senior Roster. Rosters spots 21-24 are the Supplemental Roster. Roster spots 25-28 are the Reserve Roster.
Atlanta United has announced the signing of seven players: Alex Tambakis, Junior Burgos, Chris McCann, Andrew Carleton, Jeffrey Otoo, Kenwyne Jones and Hector Villalba, who is considered one of the team’s maximum number of three Designated Players.
Though I’m reasonably certain this won’t be the case based upon the lack of playing time some of the signings are getting while on loan, for this exercise let’s assume that all seven players make the Senior Roster. In that case, Atlanta United has a minimum of 11 slots and maximum of 21 slots remaining to fill its roster.
Let’s also assume that the five players that Atlanta United will select in the expansion draft on Dec. 13 make the Senior Roster. That brings the roster total to 12, leaving a minimum of six slots left and a maximum of 16 slots to fill. Previous expansion drafts allowed for 10 selections by incoming teams.
Continuing, let's assume that Atlanta United will have four picks in the draft on Jan. 13 (the draft was four rounds last year). Let's assume that all four of those players make the Senior Roster. That brings the team's roster size to 16, leaving a minimum of two slots left and a maximum of 12.
As you can tell from the assumptions, Atlanta United is walking an interesting path with the number of players it may need to sign when these allocation processes are complete. Needing just two players may be extremely optimistic. Needing 10 may be more realistic.
There will also be a waiver draft, but let’s not assume Atlanta United finds any usable players through this mechanism.
That leaves the free agency, transfer window, trades, free-agent signings, re-entry draft and Homegrown Player development as the other more popular avenues Atlanta United can use to fill its roster.
The next transfer window won’t open until Feb. 18 2017. That’s when the team can sign players that are under contract with other teams. Players that aren’t under contract can sign at any point.
Trading is another way Atlanta United can sign players. Trades can be done before the transfer window opens. According to MLS rules, “Players, SuperDraft picks, General and Targeted Allocation Money, Allocation Rankings and International Player Slots may all be exchanged in trades approved by the MLS League Office.”
Atlanta United can also “promote” players from its academy to its senior roster, supplemental roster or reserve roster. These are called Homegrown Signings. Carleton is an example.
On game days, teams will carry 18 players.
About the Author
