FC Dallas missed out on the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time since 2021 so the club's offseason is already in full swing. Below are all the key dates for MLS roster building ahead of the 2025 season.
November 27: Club Deadline to Exercise Options and Submit Bona Fide Offers
*Excludes Conference Final Participants
- MLS clubs must submit to the MLS League Office, in writing, all Bona Fide offers, which players will have their options exercised, and which players will not have their options exercised. Clubs in the Conference Finals are required to submit all Bona Fide offers on the day after their final match of the postseason.
- Losing Conference Final clubs must submit exercise option decisions and all Bona Fide offers to the MLS League Office on the day after their final match of the postseason.
- Clubs competing in the 2024 MLS Cup presented by Audi must submit exercise option decisions and all Bona Fide offers to the MLS League Office on December 8.
- All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs.
- FC Dallas Context: The club has 15 players with contract options for 2025 season: Eugene Ansah, Liam Fraser, Sebastien Ibeagha, Sam Junqua, Dante Sealy, Nkosi Tafari, Ema Twumasi, Antonio Carrera, Herbert Endeley, Logan Farrington, Omar Gonzalez, Amet Korça, Tsiki Ntsabeleng, Isaiah Parker, Malik Henry-Scott. There are also three players out of contract (whom the club could offer bona fide offers to): Jimmy Maurer, Ruan, Asier Illarramendi.
December 9: Half-Day Trade Window
- Following a three-month roster freeze, MLS clubs may begin adjusting their rosters by conducting trades with other MLS teams during a half-day trade window.
- All roster decisions will be publicized by the individual clubs.
December 11 – December 14: MLS College Showcase
- The fifth edition of the MLS College Showcase will take place from Dec. 11-14 in San Diego, Calif. The closed-door event will give technical staffs from every MLS club an opportunity to scout top collegiate prospects in the nation, including players with remaining NCAA eligibility.
December 11: MLS Expansion Draft
- San Diego FC may select up to five players from the eligible player list.
- Expansion Draft Rules & Procedures
- The list of players eligible for selection in the MLS Expansion Draft will be released by MLS Communications on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
- FC Dallas Context: The club may protect 12 players from Expansion Draft selection, while Homegrowns players under 25 and Generation adidas players are automatically protected. FCD players who are automatically protected: Antonio Carrera, Show Cafumana (loaned in), Jesús Ferreira, Malik Henry-Scott, Nolan Norris, Isaiah Parker, Paxton Pomykal, Tarik Scott, Dante Sealy, Alejandro Urzua.
December 12: Free Agency Opens
- Clubs may engage with players, other than their own, that are eligible for Free Agency.
- Free Agency eligible players are out-of-contract and option-declined players who are at least 24 years old and who have completed a minimum of five service years.
- Free Agency Rules & Procedures
- MLS Communications will make the complete list of Free Agents available on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
- FC Dallas Context: The last player FCD signed from Free Agency was Omar Gonzalez in the previous offseason
December 12: End-of-Year Waivers
- The End-of-Year Waivers process is conducted in reverse order of 2024 season finish, considering postseason performance. Expansion club San Diego FC get the 30th pick, the final selection in each round.
- Eligible for selection are players who do not meet the minimum requirements for Re-Entry Process or Free Agency.
- End-of-Year Waivers Rules & Procedures
- The list of players eligible for the End-of-Year Waivers will be released by MLS Communications on Tuesday, Dec. 10.
December 13: Re-Entry Process, Stage 1
- The Re-Entry Process (Stage 1 and Stage 2) is conducted in reverse order of 2024 season finish, considering postseason performance.
- Eligible Players include those who are at least 22 years old, have a minimum of one service year, and who are not eligible for Free Agency. An out-of-contract player who has received a BFO from his current club will not be eligible for the Re-Entry Draft. The MLS Cup presented by Audi champions will get the 29th pick, and expansion club San Diego FC will have the 30th.
- MLS Re-Entry Process Rules
- The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 1 will be released by MLS Communications on Friday, Dec. 13.
December 19: Re-Entry Process, Stage 2
- The Re-Entry Process, Stage 2 is conducted in the same order as Stage 1 and consists of MLS players who were not selected in the Stage 1.
- Not all unselected Stage 1 players will be available for selection as players may re-sign with their previous club between stages or may opt out of the process.
- MLS Re-Entry Process Rules
- The list of players eligible for selection in the Re-Entry Process – Stage 2 will be released by MLS Communications on Thursday, Dec. 19.
December 20: 2025 MLS SuperDraft
- The 2025 MLS SuperDraft will consist of three rounds of player selection. The MLS SuperDraft order is set by taking the reverse order of the club standings at the end of each MLS season, taking postseason performance into account, with new expansion club San Diego FC holding the top selection in each round.
- FC Dallas Context: FCD will have the 11th overall pick in the upcoming SuperDraft. The club traded up to third overall to selected Logan Farrington in the previous draft.
