In Major League Soccer (MLS), teams are constantly looking for new talent to bolster their rosters. One of the mechanisms that clubs can use to track and potentially acquire players is the Discovery List. This unique system allows clubs to keep tabs on players who aren’t necessarily on the market or under contract with any MLS team but are of interest for future signing.
What is the Discovery List?
The Discovery List is a roster management tool that allows each MLS team to list up to five players who are not already under contract with another MLS club. These players can be domestic or international, but they must not be under contract in the league. By adding players to their Discovery List, teams gain exclusive rights to negotiate with these players, or at least a window of opportunity to do so before other clubs can pursue them. This system ensures that each club has a fair chance to secure players they believe can add value to their squad.
How Does the Discovery List Work?
MLS clubs are allowed to add up to five players to their Discovery List at any given time, and these players can be tracked for an indefinite period. The list itself is confidential, meaning the public doesn’t know exactly who is on each team’s list. However, players must meet certain criteria to be included:
Uncontracted Players: The players must not be under contract with any other MLS club. However, they can be playing abroad, in USL, or even without a current professional contract. Domestic and International: The players on the list can be domestic (American or Canadian players) or international, depending on the team’s needs and roster construction. Exclusive Rights: Adding a player to the Discovery List gives the team the exclusive right to negotiate with that player. If another MLS club wishes to sign the player, they must first negotiate with the team that has listed the player.
What Happens If Two Teams Want the Same Player?
If multiple MLS teams are interested in a player on the Discovery List, the team that originally listed the player holds the advantage. MLS has rules in place to resolve conflicts over players who appear on multiple Discovery Lists:
First Right of Negotiation: The club that placed the player on their Discovery List has the first opportunity to sign the player, even if another team expresses interest. Discovery Signings: If a player is on a team’s Discovery List, and that team can sign the player (by agreeing to terms), the player can then be added to the team’s roster, and they are no longer available for other MLS teams to negotiate with. Discovery Claims: If a player is on multiple teams’ Discovery Lists, a claim process is used. The first team to file a claim for the player with the league office will have priority.
Why is the Discovery List Important?
The Discovery List serves several important purposes in MLS:
Talent Identification and Protection: It gives clubs the ability to identify and secure exclusive rights to players they are interested in. This system helps teams avoid missing out on key prospects, especially in a competitive international market. Strategic Roster Building: Teams can use the list to track players who could help fill specific gaps in their roster. This could be a player who plays a particular position the team needs to strengthen, or a player with potential that could develop over time. Market Expansion: By allowing teams to keep tabs on players from all over the world, the system opens the door for MLS to tap into international markets and find hidden gems who may not otherwise be on the radar. Fair Competition: The system ensures that no one team can monopolize the acquisition of talent. Every MLS club is given an opportunity to list players they feel could contribute to their success.
What Are the Limitations?
While the Discovery List is a powerful tool, it does have its limitations. Clubs can only keep up to five players on the list at any given time, which means they must be strategic in their choices. Additionally, players on the list are not guaranteed to join the team. Even if a player is on the list, negotiations can break down, and the player may end up signing with a different team or remain in their current situation.
Moreover, players can only be signed once the team can negotiate a deal that both sides are happy with. If the team and the player’s agent cannot come to terms, the player remains on the list, and the team may need to remove them or negotiate again in the future.
How Does the Discovery List Impact Players?
For players, being added to an MLS team’s Discovery List can be a good sign that a team is interested in them. However, this doesn’t guarantee a move to MLS. Instead, it provides the player with a pathway into the league, should they decide to pursue the opportunity. Players who are on a team’s Discovery List are often contacted by teams to discuss the possibility of moving to MLS.
Players who are on the list may also leverage their inclusion as part of negotiations with other teams or leagues, which could give them a stronger bargaining position.
Conclusion
The Discovery List is a vital aspect of roster construction in Major League Soccer, allowing teams to track and potentially secure players they are interested in signing. With a limit of five players per team on the list at any time, clubs must be strategic in their selections. The system provides MLS clubs with the flexibility to strengthen their teams through careful player scouting and negotiations, all while offering players an opportunity to make a move to MLS if the right offer comes along.
