Official list of MLS Free Agents

MLS announced the official list of Free Agents ahead of the 2018 season on Sunday. 37 players, not including three who have announced their retirements already, are eligible for this relatively new mechanism in acquiring players, coming in from the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement signed just under two years ago.

The gist of MLS Free Agency is this: Technically, players called Free Agents in MLS terms are players who are at least 28 years old and have at least eight years of MLS experience, and who are either out of contract or have had their contract options declined by their current teams.

Players can, and some will, opt to sign a new deal with their current teams, but some will be available on the free market, such as it is, of MLS, and can sign with any team they choose. Some of these players will yet retire this offseason, by choice or from lack of interest or other life concerns. Prior Free Agency signings include Drew Moor (Toronto FC) and Jeff Larentowicz (Atlanta United).

Here’s the full list of players available, again with the caveat that I’ve removed the three players (Robbie Rogers, Brian Carroll and Chris Rolfe) who have already announced they have retired.

Of note, all four players we highlighted recently as possible targets for Los Angeles Football Club this offseason (Steven Beitashour, Jordan Harvey, Andrew Jacobson and Chris Pontius) are all in fact available for Free Agency, although Beitashour may no longer be as much of a target if LAFC signing Omar Gaber ends up playing right back.

MLS teams will be able to sign up to two players through Free Agency. Don’t be surprised if LAFC signs a player or two this way this offseason. We’ll keep you updated on this and all other LAFC offseason news.

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