KEY DATES

Besides a Jan. 31 deadline for a new labor agreement with players, MLS has more immediate key deadlines in the coming days and weeks.

Tuesday, 4 p.m.: MLS expansion draft begins. Each team can protect 12 players – not counting certain exemptions such as Minnesota United's "Generation Adidas" players Mason Toye and Dayne St. Clair. Inter Miami CF and Nashville SC may select as many as five players each. Watch live on the MLS app or on MLSscoccer.

Thursday, noon: Teams must notify MLS office of players whose 2020 contract options they're exercising.

Nov. 25, 2 p.m.: Free agency opens and end-of-year waivers conducted in reverse order of finish, including playoff performance. Nashville and Miami will have the final selections each round.

Nov. 26 and Dec. 3: Re-entry process stages 2 and 3 conducted same as stage 1.