Frees and Trades until Sept 15th

by Sounder At Heart on Sep 7, 2009 9:29 AM PDT in Major League Soccer Comment 5 comments

With the talk of Julian de Guzman signing to Toronto FC with the closed transfer window some may wonder how. It is quite simple, the window only applies to those transferring to US/Can clubs while under contract outside of those two nations.

So yes, an MLS club could add out-of-contract Henri Camara as an aging striker, or a Roberto Carlos who is out of contract from Turkey and is getting looks by Notts County. Roberto Carlos probably fits as a Left Midfielder in MLS. Both are in the ageing retiree realm that seems to be the focus of teams with bad DP decisions, but maybe an enterprising MLS GM could drag them over here for a bit less.

Terry Cooke is still an option as well for help in that Right Midfielder role and remains available. We should find out if he's still in camp this week.

MLS clubs can also trade talent in the more traditional American sports fashion, but any playoff club would want those deals to be done by the Sept 15th roster deadline. Only players under contract by that day are available in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

Lastly, hidden inside the MLS rules is a little process called Discovery. Discovery claims must be placed by the 15th of Sept as well.

What is Discovery?

Each team has the opportunity to make six Discovery signings per season (expansion teams have 10 Discovery signings in their initial season). The last day for Discovery player signings is September 15, 2009 - coinciding with the roster freeze date and trade deadline. The six Discovery signings can be used to fill senior roster spots only. If multiple teams claim the same player using a Discovery, the team that filed the claim first will have first rights to the player. Discovery claims expire following each season. If the League and player are unable to reach an agreement during the season, the team that first filed the Discovery retains the right of first refusal in the event the player is later signed by the League.

Seattle had 10 players on claim as they were in their expansion year. Seattle used discovery claims for all of the USL Sounders that were brought on, as well as Alonso. It is unknown if they laid claim to any other player. Next year Seattle will only have 6 claims, and will not have first Discovery Rights to any player outside the "we found him first" rule.

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Dave,

What does discovery mean? How is it different from signing Montero, or Ljundberg? Also, does a discovery signing fall outside of the August 15th deadline and before the Sept. 15th one.

by TL on Sep 8, 2009 10:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Discovery is a method that MLS uses for its clubs to find and distribute talent. It is done so that if multiple organizations want the same player there is a methodology for that player’s rights being awarded.

Basically Seattle can submit a list of 6 players around the world that they would have first MLS rights to sign.

by sounderatheart on Sep 9, 2009 7:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks Dave,

One last question. How are the six players different from other players around the world? The MLS transfer window closed August 15th for what types of signings? Sorry, for all the extra questions.

by TL on Sep 9, 2009 10:50 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The only difference is that a “discovered” player will have a team attached to them rather than negotiate with the league and then find a team through allocation, lottery, etc.

The August window was for players transferring into MLS from outside the USA/Can.

by sounderatheart on Sep 9, 2009 1:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Transfer windows are officially known as “registration periods” and affect when clubs can sign players from outside their federation, and are set by each federation. FIFA allows for two such periods: the primary one, which is in the post-season and can last a maximum of 12 weeks, and the secondary, which is during the season and can last a maximum of four weeks.

August 15th was the end of that second registration period, so no MLS team can now sign a player currently playing in another federation. Or more specifically, they could sign a deal with someone, but they couldn’t actually join the team until the next registration period. Players not under contract or playing in MLS can join a team up until the roster freeze date.

As for discover, my understanding is that it’s pretty much “calling dibs”. There’s no difference between players on a discovery list and not, other than a team or teams have a place in line for his services. If that player signs for MLS that year, the team at the front of the line would have his rights, which they could either exercise or deal. So, for example, if we were first to put in a discovery claim for Thierry Henry and he signed with MLS, we could either sign him to our team, or if there were another team he wanted to play for, that team would have to make a deal with us to get his rights.

by CarlosT on Sep 9, 2009 1:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs