The key offseason dates for NYCFC and the rest of MLS before the 2025 campaign | OneFootball

New York City FC and other Major League Soccer teams are in the middle of the offseason for the 2025 campaign. Players might not be playing matches, but clubs are busier than ever. There is always plenty of work to do, and this offseason is no different.

While NYCFC made the Conference Semifinals in 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, the team still finished in sixth place in the Eastern Conference. As such, they will seek to better the roster and ideally find the right head coach since Nick Cushing was sacked.

There are certain dates the teams must be aware of and must follow to build for 2025. A few months ago, MLS announced the key dates to know. What are they?

Here are the dates NYCFC and other MLS fans should know for the current offseason.

The key offseason dates for NYCFC and MLS

Wednesday, November 27: The date has passed, but this season MLS combined the date to exercise options and submit Bone Fide offers. It took some time for NYCFC to announce their roster options despite this date.

Monday, December 9: This was the half-day trade window. The Pigeons utilized this day to trade Luis Barraza to D.C. United for General Allocation Money.

Wednesday, December 11: The MLS Expansion Draft will take place in the evening. San Diego FC will have five picks and can pick from any of the available players listed by the other MLS teams. NYCFC released their available players and interestingly had players like Thiago Martins and Maxi Moralez available. Perhaps the club knows some players will not be picked, for it would be insanity to lose some that are on the list.

Wednesday, December 11- Saturday, December 14: MLS teams can watch college players in the MLS College Showcase.

Thursday, December 12: Free agency will open and teams can finally engage with other players who meet the criteria. Per MLS, "Free Agency eligible players are out-of-contract and option-declined players who are at least 24 years old and who have completed a minimum of five service years." In addition, the End-of-Year Waivers process will take place. Players who cannot participate in the Re-Entry Process or Free Agency are eligible for this.

Friday, December 13: NYCFC could select a player in the first stage of the Re-Entry Process. Available players will be " those who are at least 22 years old, have a minimum of one service year, and who are not eligible for Free Agency" that are out of contract or had their option declined.

Thursday, December 19: The second stage of the Re-Entry Process will take place.

Friday, December 20: Finally, the MLS SuperDraft will allow teams to pick the best of the best players from college. There will be three rounds, but teams could forgo any or all of their picks. NYCFC has had success with the draft in the past, including players like Jack Harrison and Kevin O'Toole.