The Expansion Draft is a mechanism for new clubs Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC to prepare for their inaugural MLS seasons in 2017.
The draft will consist of five rounds, allowing Atlanta and Minnesota to select up to five players each from the list of eligible MLS players.
The 20 current MLS clubs will have the ability to protect 11 players from their rosters.
These 11 protected players, in addition to Generation adidas* players who do not graduate from the program at the end of the season and Homegrown Players** on a club's Supplemental or Reserve roster***, will not be eligible for selection in the Expansion Draft.