CHICAGO (Dec. 12, 2016) – The Chicago Fire Soccer Club announced Monday its 11 protected players in advance of the 2016 MLS Expansion Draft on Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 1 p.m. CT. The draft, which will be streamed live on MLSsoccer.com, will consist of five rounds as expansion sides Atlanta United FC and Minnesota United FC will select five players each from MLS’ other 20 teams.
Each current MLS club had the opportunity to protect 11 players from their 2016 roster. Homegrown Players on a club’s off-budget roster are automatically protected and do not count against a team’s 11 protected roster spots.