To kick off this series on Austin FC roster decisions, exploring how Rodolfo Borrell might operate — even though he’s possibly better at this than you and I — we’re going to look at the seven Austin FC players that the MLS Players Association says are eligible for free agency after the 2023 season.
According to the league’s stone tablets of rules, “11 days after the 2023 MLS Cup, teams can begin engaging with players via the league’s Free Agency process in preparation for the 2023 season. Eligible players will be at least twenty-four (24) years old in the year in which the immediately preceding League Season concluded and have at least five (5) MLS Service Years. This allows players the freedom to negotiate a new contract with any MLS club, including their previous team, subject to certain restrictions.” (The league bold-typed those key phrases for us.)
With MLS Cup on December 9, expect news on free agency throughout MLS to come out in advent calendar-style doses throughout the holiday season. Maybe it’s free agent Luciano Acosta behind that cardboard window! (He’s on an option year, but certainly FC Cincinnati’s going to activate that option, because that’s what you do with MVP candidates.) It’s not chocolate; it’s Kai Wagner! (He’s out of contract, and likely Europe-bound if not re-upping with the Union, but it’s fun to think about having him on your team.)
Here are the seven players Austin FC will need to make decisions on when the season ends. All but Ethan Finlay are coming up on club option years; Finlay will be out of contract.
