The 2021 MLS Expansion Draft was a special draft for the Major League Soccer expansion team Charlotte FC that was held on December 14, 2021. The list of exposed players was revealed on December 13, 2021.[1] The picks were made on December 14, 2021 at 7:00 PM ET with Charlotte selecting McKinze Gaines, Anton Walkes, Joseph Mora, Tristan Blackmon, and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi.[2]
The rules for the 2021 MLS Expansion Draft as laid out by Major League Soccer.[3]
The five teams that had players selected by Austin FC during the 2020 MLS Expansion Draft will be exempt from the 2021 Expansion Draft: LA Galaxy, Nashville SC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City SC, and San Jose Earthquakes.
The other 22 returning MLS clubs that competed during the 2021 season can protect 12 players from their senior, supplemental, and reserve rosters.
If a player's contract expires at the end of 2021, he will still be considered part of the club's roster.
If a club protects a player, the club is not obligated to exercise the player's option. The club may renegotiate a new contract with the player as in previous years, subject to the CBA.
Generation adidas players who have not been graduated at the end of the 2021 MLS season and homegrown players (ages 25 and under – born in or after 1996) on a club's Roster at the end of the 2021 MLS Season are automatically protected. Clubs do not have to use a protected slot on them.
Designated players are not automatically protected (i.e., clubs must choose whether to protect such players and if such player is not protected, he will be available for selection in the Expansion Draft).
If a player has a no-trade clause in his contract, his MLS club must protect him, and he will count as one of the 12 players who may be protected.
Charlotte FC is allowed up to five selections.
Once a team has a player selected by Charlotte FC, they can have no more players selected.