MLS Subject to FIFA-regulated Player Transfer Windows

Published on January 27, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release

NEW YORK (Tuesday, January 27, 2004) - Major League Soccer has received notification from FIFA, world soccer's governing body, and the U.S. Soccer Federation that MLS, for the first time in its nine-year history, will be subject to the international registration periods for transfers of in-contract players that apply across the soccer world.

"As our teams look at acquiring discovery players and allocations, they will need to consider the FIFA-mandated registration periods," said MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis.

Due to the timing and placement of the MLS regular-season and postseason calendar (April - November), the windows imposed upon MLS by FIFA differ from those imposed upon other leagues internationally

For the 2004 season and until further notice, FIFA will not register player transfers that take place outside of the two following transfer windows:

* January 1 until March 31 (the "primary window")

* August 15 until September 15 (the "secondary window")

By a FIFA Circular to all national associations, FIFA has clarified that national associations may register certain players who are free of contract and seeking employment even if such registration falls outside of the transfer windows.

Other key dates on the 2004 MLS Competition Calendar include:

Monday, January 19 Domestic Discovery Period Begins
Monday, March 1 Roster / Salary Budget Compliance (18 Senior Roster Players (3 Senior Internationals) + 6 Protected Players)

Thursday, March 4 Waiver Draft via Conference Call
Saturday, April 3 Regular Season Commences
Tuesday, June 1 College Protected List Finalized
Friday, June 25 Contracts guaranteed for 2004 season
Saturday, July 24 MLS All-Star Game
Saturday, October 16 End of Regular Season
Sunday, November 14 MLS Cup 2004

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer features many top stars from the United States and around the world and is America's Division I men's outdoor professional soccer league. The ten teams that comprise MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Columbus Crew, Dallas Burn, D.C. United, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, MetroStars, New England Revolution and the Defending Champion San Jose Earthquakes. Major League Soccer's ninth season kicks off April 3, 2004. For more information about MLS, log on to the League's official Web site at www.MLSnet.com.

Major League Soccer Stories from January 27, 2004

• Earthquakes Announce 2004 Schedule - San Jose Earthquakes
• Columbus Crew Announces 2004 Season Schedule - Columbus Crew SC
• Dallas Burn Releases 2004 Schedule - FC Dallas
• Igor Simutenkov Inks New Deal with Wizards - Sporting Kansas City
• Revolution Announces 2004 MLS Schedule - New England Revolution
• Chicago Fire Releases 2004 MLS Regular Season Schedule - Chicago Fire FC
• MetroStars 2004 schedule unveiled - Red Bull New York
• Galaxy announce 2004 schedule - LA Galaxy
• D.C. United Unveils 2004 MLS Schedule - D.C. United
• Wizards 2004 Schedule Filled with Compelling Match-ups, Home Opener April 3rd - Sporting Kansas City
• MLS Announces 2004 Schedule Dates and Opponents - MLS
• Midfielder Andy Williams Rejoins Chicago Fire - Chicago Fire FC
• Former MLS and U.S. National Team Star Alexi Lalas Named President and General Manager of Earthquake - San Jose Earthquakes
• MLS Subject to FIFA-regulated Player Transfer Windows - MLS

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