The 2023 MLS offseason begins in earnest with the St. Louis Expansion Draft this Friday. Up there with league oddities like GAM, homegrown territories, and discovery rights, the now-annual draft allows expansion teams to have their choice of players from future MLS rivals. This year’s participant, St Louis City SC, will have five selections from a list of unprotected players chosen by their respective clubs. Each club is allowed to protect 12 players from their Senior and Supplemental rosters from being drafted, with homegrown players automatically protected and not using up a slot.
The New York Red Bulls released their list of protected players this morning, with a customarily dry press release stating that “The Red Bulls will protect goalkeeper Carlos Coronel, defenders Sean Nealis and Andrés Reyes, midfielders Frankie Amaya, Wiki Carmona, Cristian Cásseres, Jr.