The 2016 Major League Soccer season closed with the crowning of the Seattle Sounders as first-time MLS Cup Champion, and with its closing comes the opening of the offseason. With all attention now focused on 2017 for the league's 22 competitive teams — Including expansion-sides Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC — Sunday featured a three-hour trade window that saw eight moves made.
Crew SC received General Allocation Money for defender Michael Parkhurst, who joined Atlanta in one of the morning's first announcements. See below for a full list of Sunday's movement:
| Transaction date: 12/5/2017 |
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| ATL | ATL receive: Right of first refusal for Miguel Almiron |
| SEA | SEA receive: General allocation money |
| Transaction date: 12/11/2017 |
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| ATL | ATL receive: Michael Parkhurst |
| CLB | CLB receive: General allocation money |
| Transaction date: 12/11/2017 |
|---|
| ATL | ATL receive: Romario Williams |
| MTL | MTL receive: conditional third round selection in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft. The Impact will receive Atlanta’s natural second round pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft if Williams appears in a game for Atlanta during the 2017 season. |
| Transaction date: 12/11/2017 |
|---|
| ATL | ATL receive: Harrison Heath |
| ORL | ORL receive: Atlanta's natural fourth round selection in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. |
| Transaction date: 12/11/2017 |
|---|
| ATL | ATL receive: Kevin Kratz |
| PHI | PHI receive: Atlanta’s natural Fourth Round selection in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft. |
| Transaction date: 12/11/2017 |
|---|
| ATL | ATL receive: Sean Johnson |
| CHI | CHI receive: General allocation money |
| Transaction date: 12/11/2017 |
|---|
| NYC | NYC receive: Sean Johnson |
| ATL | ATL receive: General allocation money and Targeted allocation money |
| Transaction date: 12/11/2017 |
|---|
| COL | COL receive: Atlanta's natural Second Round selection in the 2017 SuperDraft |
| ATL | ATL receive: One international slot for the 2017 and 2018 seasons |
| Transaction date: 12/11/2017 |
|---|
| MIN | MIN receive: Joseph Greenspan |
| COL | COL receive: Minnesota's natural Third Round selection in the 2017 SuperDraft |
Following Sunday's Half-day Trade Window , a player-trade blackout period will commence until the conclusion of the Expansion Draft, which is set for 2 p.m. ET on December 13. Trades not involving players (General/Targeted Allocation Money, draft picks, international rosters slots, etc.) are permitted at any time.
The Expansion Draft, will provide an opportunity for expansion clubs Atlanta United and Minnesota United FC to add up to five players each to their inaugural rosters. Following the Expansion Priority Draft, held on Oct. 16, Atlanta United will have the first selection in the Expansion Draft. The list of current players available for selection in the Expansion Draft will be released on Dec. 12.
After the conclusion of the Expansion Draft on Dec. 13, players eligible for Free Agency may engage in negotiations with all MLS clubs, not just their previous team.
MLS clubs will also bolster their rosters with players selected in both the Waiver Draft, set for Dec. 15, and the Re-Entry Process, set for Dec. 16 (Stage One) and Dec. 22 (Stage Two).
The new year will kick off with the adidas MLS Player Combine, which returns to Los Angeles for the first time since 2006. The Combine will be held from January 7-12, 2017 at the StubHub Center, allowing clubs the chance to scout top collegiate, youth, and international invitees ahead of the 2017 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas. The SuperDraft will be held on Friday, Jan. 13, at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT, at the LA Convention Center. More information on the Combine and SuperDraft will be released at a later date.
