What are the key offseason dates ahead of the 2023 MLS campaign?

Saturday night saw the 2022 MLS campaign come to an end, with LAFC emerging victorious against Philadelphia Union in what was surely the most dramatic MLS Cup final we’ve seen since the inception of the competition in 1996.

For most purists, it was the final they wanted to see between the best-performing teams in the regular MLS season, with LAFC being crowned Western Conference champions and the Union clinching the Eastern Conference title. And the Californians’ penalty shoot-out victory means that the Supporters’ Shield winners also lifted the MLS Cup for the seventh time in the tournaments’' 27 editions.

We now face a two-month wait until the 2023 MLS season kicks off – the exact date in January has yet to be specified – but there will be plenty for us to keep our eyes on during the off-season, as squads try to reshape their rosters to as they look to improve on this year’s performance in 2023.

Key dates to look out for in MLS offseason

The MLS themselves have defined the following key offseason dates:

Monday, 7 November 2022 (12pm ET) – Trade window opens

Following a two-month roster freeze which started at the beginning of September, clubs can begin making adjustments to their rosters and trade players with other MLS teams, with all roster decisions having to be publicised by the individual clubs.

Wednesday, 9 November 2022 (12pm ET) – Trade window closes

A blackout period begins, during which time clubs are not able to sign or trade players until the conclusion of the MLS Expansion Draft.

Thursday, 10 November 2022 – Expansion Protection Lists Announced

MLS Communications will release the list of players eligible for selection in the MLS Expansion Draft.

Friday, 11 November 2022 – St. Louis City SC Expansion Draft

St. Louis City SC will become the latest franchise to join the MLS in time for the 2023 season. On 11 November, they will be able to select five players from the eligible player list published the previous day.

Monday, 14 November 2022 (12pm ET) – Deadline for clubs to submit Bona Fide offers and Exercise Options

MLS clubs must submit in writing to the MLS League Office all Bona Fide offers made to players. They must also inform them of which players will have their options exercised and which won’t. Again, all roster decisions have to be publicised by the individual clubs.

Wednesday, 16 November 2022 (1pm ET) – Free Agency opens

Clubs are allowed to engage with players who are Free Agents (i.e. players who are out of contract and haven’t had their options exercised, are over the age of 24 and have completed a minimum of five MLS service years).

Thursday, 17 November 2022 (1pm ET) – Re-Entry Process, Stage 1

Clubs can select current MLS players who haven’t reached an agreement with their respective MLS clubs. Eligible players are those who are at least 22 years old, have a minimum of one MLS service year, and who are not eligible for Free Agency. An out-of-contract player who has received a Bona Fide offer from his current club is not eligible for the Re-Entry Draft. The process is conducted in reverse order of the clubs’ finishing positions in the 2022 season, with new franchise St. Louis City SC considered ‘club 29′ and therefore going first.

Thursday, 17 November 2022 (5pm ET) – End-of-Year Waivers

Players who don’t meet the minimum requirements for the Re-Entry Process or Free Agency are eligible for selection. Again, the process is conducted in reverse order of the clubs’ finishing positions in the 2022 season (as ‘club 29′, St. Louis City SC go first).

Sunday, 20 November 2022 – 2022 World Cup gets underway

With the USMNT and Canada both qualifying for the 2022 World Cup, a record number of players from MLS clubs is expected to be involved in the tournament in Qatar. According to league commissioner Don Garber, around 40 MLS players will represent their countries at the tournament.

“We’ll be among the top leagues in the world that will have players participating for their national teams. I think those numbers will continue to grow as our league continues to sign more international players and those players perform at a level that continues to rise.”

Tuesday, 22 November 2022 (1pm ET) - Re-Entry Process, Stage 2

Similar to Re-Entry Process, Stage 1. Players who were not selected in Stage 1 are eligible for selection in this stage, although some may have re-signed for their previous club between the two stages.

Wednesday, 21 December 2022 – 2023 MLS SuperDraft

The 2023 MLS SuperDraft is made up of three rounds of player selection. Once more, the process is conducted in reverse order of the clubs’ finishing positions in the 2022 season (again, St. Louis City SC will go first as ‘club 29′).