How Sounders will be affected by 2021 MLS Expansion Draft

Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty ImagesAfter a one-year reprieve, the Seattle Sounders must again worry about the MLS Expansion Draft almost immediately after the season ends. Charlotte FC will be allowed to select up to five players from the 22 eligible teams, who are allowed to protect 12 players, plus others who are exempted.

For the Sounders, the list of players who are exempt include Homegrown Players Josh Atencio, Danny Leyva, Ethan Dobbelaere and Reed Baker-Whiting. Jordan Morris, however, will need to be protected as Homegrown players born before 1996 are otherwise eligible for the expansion draft.

If the Sounders do lose a player in the Expansion Draft, they’ll be compensated with…