[retired_google]

Originally posted by PMLF:
<BLOCKQUOTE>None of that means that MLS doesn't want foreign players and the decoration they offer. MLS is working to re-sign Ruiz for Dallas. And much of the impetus behind the current discussions of a special player designation, for one star that would operate outside the salary cap, is for the David Beckhams who might one day land on MLS shores.

What do you think of this "special player designation" idea? </BLOCKQUOTE>

My concern is it's going to benefit certain teams. Namely, Metrostars, LA and (probably) DC United.

I can't see the likes of Columbus, Kansas City or Colorado being able to attract a player who would qualify under the "Beckham Rule." Except maybe for returning USNT players.

[retired_jdupont]

Originally posted by Jason the Yank:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by PMLF:
<BLOCKQUOTE>None of that means that MLS doesn't want foreign players and the decoration they offer. MLS is working to re-sign Ruiz for Dallas. And much of the impetus behind the current discussions of a special player designation, for one star that would operate outside the salary cap, is for the David Beckhams who might one day land on MLS shores.

What do you think of this "special player designation" idea? </BLOCKQUOTE>

My concern is it's going to benefit certain teams. Namely, Metrostars, LA and (probably) DC United.

I can't see the likes of Columbus, Kansas City or Colorado being able to attract a player who would qualify under the "Beckham Rule." Except maybe for returning USNT players. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Good points. So, this rule would destroy the MLS balance. :thdn:

[retired_google]

Originally posted by PMLF:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by Jason the Yank:
<BLOCKQUOTE>Originally posted by PMLF:
<BLOCKQUOTE>None of that means that MLS doesn't want foreign players and the decoration they offer. MLS is working to re-sign Ruiz for Dallas. And much of the impetus behind the current discussions of a special player designation, for one star that would operate outside the salary cap, is for the David Beckhams who might one day land on MLS shores.

What do you think of this "special player designation" idea? </BLOCKQUOTE>

My concern is it's going to benefit certain teams. Namely, Metrostars, LA and (probably) DC United.

I can't see the likes of Columbus, Kansas City or Colorado being able to attract a player who would qualify under the "Beckham Rule." Except maybe for returning USNT players. </BLOCKQUOTE>

Good points. So, this rule would destroy the MLS balance. :thdn: </BLOCKQUOTE>

That's my concern.

[retired_bahram]

so how does setting up an expansion teams roster work?

is there a yearly draft and a special waivers draft like how the Bobcats had in the NBA?

Or are they expected to buy their talent? Does MLS even have a salary cap?

[retired_the gizmo]

Ueltschey and Levesque will definitely find A-League teams. Levesque probably to Seattle and Ueltschey has spent time at Toronto and PR. FC Miami might look to pick him up as he's not a bad keeper.

[retired_curlleigh]

Nkong waived. He looked good to me.

[retired_google]

The following have been placed on waivers:

Chicago: Andy Rosenband, DeMetrius White

Chivas USA: Armando Begines, Hector Cuadros, Isaac Romo, Shaun Kalnasy, Javier Barraga, Victor Arbelo, Milton Blanco

Colorado: Wolde Harris, Alain Nkong, Diego Serna

Columbus: Stephen Armstrong, Devin Barclay, Ryan Kelly, Mark Schulte

Dallas: Chris Gomez, John Pulido

DC United: Kenny Arena, Nana Kuffour, Tim Merritt, Jason Thompson

Kansas City: Dustin Branan, Daniel Dobson, Martin Hutton, Doug Lascody, Antti Sumiala

Los Angeles: Michael Umana

Metrostars: Ramon Bailey, Chris Corcoran, Daniel Garipe, Eric Quill, Ryan Suarez, Mike Ueltschey

New England: Ricardo Phillips, Jamie Holmes (who's torched me repeatedly on WWSM ), Connerly Edozien

Real Salt Lake: Matt Behncke, DJ Countess, Rusty Pierce, Jeff Stewart, Dante Washington

San Jose: Roger Levesque, Orlando Ramirez

[retired_google]

Originally posted by Req:
so how does setting up an expansion teams roster work?

is there a yearly draft and a special waivers draft like how the Bobcats had in the NBA?

Or are they expected to buy their talent? Does MLS even have a salary cap?

Yeah, it's an expansion draft like what there was in the NBA (and MLS this year)

This is what the rules were for this year's expansion:

Rules for stocking expansion teams
Major League Soccer
Allocations

Expansion teams receive three (3) allocations
One (1) expansion allocation for each expansion team shall take precedence over all other team allocations, with the remaining two (2) expansion allocations per team having no precedence over other team allocations
Among expansion teams, priority shall be determined by chance(applies to all mechanisms below)
Expansion Draft


The League will conduct an Expansion Draft prior to the regularly scheduled postseason Waiver Draft (likely in late November)
The 2005 Expansion draft will be 10 rounds
Each MLS team shall be allowed to protect 12 Senior Roster players
Each MLS team may leave unprotected only one Senior International
An MLS team may lose no more than three (3) players during the Expansion Draft
After a player has been selected from an existing team, such team shall have the right to protect an additional player
SuperDraft


Expansion teams shall have the first selections in the annual MLS SuperDraft
Discovery Players


Expansion teams shall be granted six (6) discovery picks in their first season, four (4) in their second season and in their third season and thereafter shall be subject to the discovery rules applicable to all other MLS teams (at present, MLS teams are permitted up to two (2) discovery picks each year)
Expansion teams shall have the lowest priority with respect to Discovery claims (until all teams have played three (3) games, in which case it will be determined by points-per-game)
Waiver Drafts


Expansion teams shall have the last selections for waivers and all waiver drafts (until all teams have played three (3) games, in which case it will be determined by points-per-game)
Lottery Drafts


Expansion teams shall have the lowest percentage chance for all lotteries (until the end of their first season in which case it shall be determined in the natural course)

[retired_google]

Originally posted by furtherseemsforever:
Nkong waived. He looked good to me.

Same here. I was stuffing the ballot box to get him Goal of the Year.

[retired_google]

All teams passed on their selections in the waiver draft. Per rules, all teams retain for one year the rights to their waived players.

Important dates coming up:

January 1-March 31: International transfer window

January 12-15: Annual player combine at the Home Depot Center

January 20: 2006 SuperDraft in Philadelphia, in conjunection with the National Soccer Coaches Association of America conference

March 1: Roster and salary budget compliance date. All teams must be down to 18 senior roster players, 10 developmental roster players and four senior international players.