2019 MLS Expansion Draft: Building Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC
The 2019 MLS Expansion Draft served as a critical foundation for two of Major League Soccer's newest franchises: Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC. Held on November 19, 2019, this special event allowed the incoming clubs to populate their rosters by selecting players from existing MLS teams, ensuring they were competitive for their debut 2020 season.
The process began on October 6, 2019, with an Expansion Priority Draft. After winning a coin toss, Inter Miami CF earned the right to select first in the subsequent expansion draft, giving them a strategic advantage in picking the players they believed would best fit their vision.
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Key Facts
- Date: November 19, 2019.
- Expansion Teams: Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC.
- Total Selections: 10 players across 5 rounds.
- Priority: Inter Miami CF won the coin toss to pick first.
- Exemptions: Five teams were exempt from the draft due to previous selections in 2018.
Draft Format and Regulations
The Major League Soccer (MLS) governing body established strict rules to maintain league balance while allowing new teams to grow. Existing teams that were not exempt were permitted to protect 12 players on their roster. Any player not on this protected list was considered exposed and eligible for selection.
To prevent a single team from being depleted, the rules stated that once a player was selected from a specific club, that club was no longer available for further selections during the draft. Additionally, the league prohibited any trades during the actual draft process.
Exempt Teams
Five teams were granted immunity from the 2019 draft because they had players selected by FC Cincinnati during the 2018 MLS Expansion Draft. These exempt teams were:
- D.C. United
- Vancouver Whitecaps FC
- FC Dallas
- Houston Dynamo
- New York Red Bulls
Draft Results and Player Movements
The draft unfolded over five rounds, with Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC alternating picks. While the draft itself forbade trades, several players were moved shortly after the event concluded.
| Pick | Selecting Team | Player | Previous Team | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Inter Miami CF | Ben Sweat | New York City FC | - |
| 2 | Nashville SC | Abu Danladi | Minnesota United FC | - |
| 3 | Inter Miami CF | Alvas Powell | FC Cincinnati | - |
| 4 | Nashville SC | Zarek Valentin | Portland Timbers | Traded to Houston Dynamo for Joe Willis |
| 5 | Inter Miami CF | Lee Nguyen | Los Angeles FC | - |
| 6 | Nashville SC | Jalil Anibaba | New England Revolution | - |
| 7 | Inter Miami CF | Luis Argudo | Columbus Crew SC | - |
| 8 | Nashville SC | Brandon Vazquez | Atlanta United FC | Traded to FC Cincinnati for $150k TAM |
| 9 | Inter Miami CF | Bryan Meredith | Seattle Sounders FC | - |
| 10 | Nashville SC | Jimmy Medranda | Sporting Kansas City | - |
Exposed Players Overview
Before the draft, MLS released the lists of eligible players on November 16, 2019. Many high-profile names were left exposed by their respective clubs. For instance, the LA Galaxy left Zlatan Ibrahimović exposed, and the Chicago Fire left Bastian Schweinsteiger on their eligible list, though neither was ultimately selected in the ten available slots.
Other teams left significant numbers of players available. FC Cincinnati exposed 17 players, including Alvas Powell (who was selected), while the Columbus Crew SC exposed 14 players, including Luis Argudo (who was selected).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which teams participated in the 2019 MLS Expansion Draft?
The expansion teams were Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC, who were preparing for their inaugural 2020 season.
How was the picking order decided?
The order was determined by an Expansion Priority Draft on October 6, 2019, where Inter Miami CF won a coin toss to select the first overall pick.
How many players could existing teams protect?
Existing teams that were not exempt from the draft were allowed to protect 12 players from their roster.
Were trades allowed during the draft?
No, the rules specifically stated that no trades were permitted during the draft process, although trades occurred after the draft ended.
Why were some teams exempt from the draft?
Five teams (D.C. United, Vancouver Whitecaps FC, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, and New York Red Bulls) were exempt because they had players selected by FC Cincinnati during the previous year's expansion draft in 2018.