On schedule (for once. Hah!), MLS has released the list of players available in the upcoming Re-Entry Drafts.
To recap, this draft is a concession the players got in the most recent CBA that allows them some more freedom if their club doesn't want to pay them as much (or at all). Players that meet certain age and playing time qualifications and whose clubs want to lower their salary are entered into the draft in two stages. In the first stage, a club that's willing to take on their current salary (or slightly higher, for some veterans) can do so. In the second stage, their salary can be negotiated down with the new club. Jeremiah has a more detailed description at that link.
So in the first stage — next Wednesday — you'll only see players taken if there's a club that wants to take their salary, and given that most of these players are likely overpaid, you might not see much action in round 1. Given what looks like a Sounders team salary pretty close to the cap, I think it's unlikely we'll see Seattle pick anyone up in Round 1.
Here are some interesting players that are in the draft and their current salaries.
- Tyrone Marshall - 165K
- GB Schelotto - 140K
- Pat Onstad - 164K
- Chris Seitz - 100K
- Pete Vagenas - 117K
- Ciaran O'Brien (ex USL Sounder) - 75K