MLS will hold its Re-Entry Draft for the second straight year on Dec. 5 and 12, the league announced on Thursday.
As in 2010, most players who are out of contract or whose options are not exercised by their current clubs will have the opportunity of signing with new teams when the two-stage Re-Entry process begins.
Last year, 13 players changed addresses during the Re-Entry process, 11 of whom moved in less than half an hour in Stage 2, including big-name veterans such as Juan Pablo Ángel, Jeff Cunningham, Jimmy Conrad, Josh Wolff, Frankie Hejduk and Cory Gibbs.
This year, the Stage 1 draft of the Re-Entry Process will be held on Dec. 5. Teams will select in reverse order of their finish during the 2011 season, taking into account their playoff performances. The expansion Montreal Impact will have the 19th selection.
Teams will be able to select players who fall under the following circumstances:
* 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 (available at option salary for 2012).
* 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 (available at 2011 salary).
* 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 (available for at least 105 percent of their 2011 salary).
Players who are not selected in the Stage 1 draft will be made available for the Stage 2 draft on Dec. 12. Clubs selecting players in Stage 2 will negotiate a new salary with any player not under contract.
Teams also have the option of passing on their selection.
Players who remain unselected after Stage 2 will be available to any MLS club on a first-come, first-served basis.
Players with expiring contracts or options that are not renewed by their clubs who do not meet the age and service requirements necessary to be included in the Re-Entry Process may be part of the Waiver Draft on Nov. 23.
