Archives for December 2016 | 100 Percent Soccer

It has already been a busy off-season for the Galaxy and it will only get busier with the official start of the MLS off-season calendar.

Here is a quick primer of what’s ahead for MLS for the next 10 days.

Sunday, Dec. 11	Half-Day Trade Window from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. ET No trades involving players will be permitted after 12 p.m. ET up until the conclusion of the Expansion Draft
Monday, Dec. 12	Expansion Draft Protected Player List and eligible Free Agents made public
Tuesday, Dec. 13	Expansion Draft held at 2 p.m. ET Beginning at 5 p.m. ET, Free Agents may engage in negotiations with all MLS clubs.
Wednesday, Dec. 14	List of players eligible for selection in the Waiver Draft made public
Thursday, Dec. 15	Waiver Draft held at 2 p.m. ET Beginning at 5 p.m. ET, clubs may no longer sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players (player-trade blackout window) List of players available in Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft made public
Friday, Dec. 16	Stage One of the Re-Entry Draft held at 3 p.m. ET
Wednesday, Dec. 21	Starting at 11 a.m. ET, clubs may no longer sign or trade their own Re-Entry eligible players (player-trade blackout window) List of available players in Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft made public
Thursday, Dec. 22	Stage Two of the Re-Entry Draft held at 3 p.m. ET
January 7-12, 2017	2017 adidas MLS Player Combine
Friday, Jan. 13, 2017	2017 MLS SuperDraft presented by adidas
Monday, Jan. 23, 2017	2017 MLS preseason begins

Galaxy midfielder Giovani dos Santos and defender Jelle Van Damme were selected to the MLS Best XI, recognizing the league’s top players at each position on the field as determined by media, MLS players and MLS club staff.

In his first season with the Galaxy, Van Damme, 33, developed into the key to the Galaxy defense, making 28 starts. He was a finalist for both the MLS Defender and Newcomer of the Year awards. He ranked third in the league in blocked shots (27) and in the top 10 in interceptions (95).

Dos Santos,27, was also in his first full season with the Galaxy. He was one of two players this season to record double digits in goals scored (14) and assists (12).

Here is the complete team

2016 MLS Best XI

Goalkeeper: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)

Defenders: Matt Hedges (FC Dallas), Axel Sjoberg (Colorado Rapids), Jelle Van Damme (LA Galaxy)

Midfielders: Mauro Diaz (FC Dallas), Giovani dos Santos (LA Galaxy), Sacha Kljestan (New York Red Bulls), Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact)

Forwards: Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), David Villa (New York City FC), Bradley Wright-Phillips (New York Red Bulls)

100 Percent Soccer

Soccer in and around Los Angeles

Monthly Archives: December 2016

Start of MLS off-season calendar will keep teams extremely busy

Jelle Van Damme and Giovani dos Santos selected to Best XI