The first major event of the MLS off-season, Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft, will take place on Thursday. The draft, which began in 2010 as part of the league’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement, is the league’s way of trying to give all teams an equal chance of picking up out-of-contract players. This year’s draft looks like the best one yet. With three former league MVPs and many other notables, this year’s Re-Entry Draft could get the off-season started off with a bang.

How the Re-Entry Draft Works:

Players who either had an option on their contract declined or had their contract expire at the end of the season are draft-eligible, provided they meet experience requirements. On Thursday, the league will hold Stage One of the draft via conference call. In this stage, teams can either pick up the option on a player or extend to a player a “bona fide” contract offer if their previous contract expired. If the team and player don’t come to an agreement, the team holds the right of first refusal to the player. Teams pick in reverse order of finish (D.C. picks first, Sporting KC last). This stage often ends quickly, with nearly every team passing in the first round. With a strong free agent class, this year could be different.

Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft will occur on Wednesday, December 18th, also via conference call. In this stage, teams pick in the same order as they did in Stage One but can negotiate a new contract with the player(s) they choose. If the team and player don’t come to an agreement, the team again holds the right of first refusal to the player. This stage is often much more exciting, as teams are given greater financial control in negotiations. This stage ends once every team has passed, which in 2012 took four rounds.

Players who are not selected in either stage of the Re-Entry Draft become genuine free agents and can negotiate with any club.

Who is Available? Where Could They End Up?

Approximately 60 players will be in the draft. Here are the most important ones to watch:

Dwayne De Rosario (M, age 35)- Little introduction is needed for the four-time MLS Cup winner and 2011 MLS MVP. Injuries have derailed him in the past two campaigns, but DeRo seems to want to play until his legs fall off. My prediction is that 2013 will be his last season, but regardless DeRo will want to win a fifth MLS Cup and cement his place as one of the league’s greatest.

De Rosario provides veteran leadership that lots of teams crave. Rumours of a return to Toronto have heated up recently, though I for one don’t agree with them. I could see DeRo returning to Houston, where they have come very close to winning it all in each of the last three seasons.

David Ferreira (M, 34)- The 2010 MLS MVP has been hit by injury over the past few seasons as well, but when he is on his game he can still be one of the best attacking midfielders in the league. Ferreira is a similar player to DeRo, but his Latin heritage could be a match for Chivas USA, who need MLS experience and creativity.

Carlos Ruiz (F, 34)- Ruiz, the MLS MVP way back in 2002, is one of the league’s best ever goalscorers. If he can return to his 2011 form (14 appearances, 6 goals in Philadelphia), he would be considered a steal. Ruiz is no longer the go-to goalscorer he was in the early 2000’s. That being said, he could be a nice addition for a former team like Philadelphia or Los Angeles.

Kenny Cooper (F, 29)- Cooper struggled in 2013, but he has scored 18 goals twice in MLS, most recently in 2012. Cooper has ties to both Maryland and Texas. Dallas may have dropped him, but D.C. or Houston could use more offence in their lineups.

Sean Franklin (D, 28)- Franklin has been a key part of the L.A. Galaxy’s defence since his rookie year in 2008. L.A. dropped him because of their cap crunch, but he could be picked in Stage One if another team wants him enough. If not, he will almost certainly go in Stage Two.

Franklin will draw the attention of lots of teams. The Galaxy would be very lucky if everybody else passed over Franklin, allowing them to bring him back at a lower price. Franklin could be worth his current salary in Vancouver, where an old defence is losing starting right-back Y.P. Lee to retirement. He could end up anywhere though.

Steve Zakuani (F, 25)- The most prominent young gun in the draft. Had his freak injury a few seasons back not derailed his career, he could be shooting up the record books. Loved around the league, he will be hoping for a second start to his career and to hit double-digit goals like he did in 2010.

Zakuani is a bit of a wild card because of his injury concerns. A former Akron star, I could see Zakuani lining up alongside fellow African Dominic Oduro in Columbus Crew yellow next season.

Fabian Espindola (F, 28)- The Argentine could be a sleeper pick. He hit for ten goals back in 2011 and nine in 2012 and 2013. Espindola can score, something that Kansas City can’t do consistently. I see Espindola leading the line for SKC’s title defence in 2014.

The 2013 season may have only just ended, but 2014 is just around the corner. Let the offseason begin!

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