2018 MLS Re-Entry Draft Stage 1: Nick DeLeon heads to Toronto FC | OneFootball

After seven seasons with D.C. United, Nick DeLeon finally has a new home.

On Friday, the 28-year-old was taken by 2017 MLS Cup champions Toronto FC in his first roster move since being drafted by D.C. United with the seventh overall pick in the 2012 MLS SuperDraft.

The midfielder-turned-defender has been riddled with injuries over the past couple of seasons, but came off the bench to score United’s equaliser in the 116th minute of their Knockout Round match against Columbus Crew SC for his first goal in 27 months.

The 2012 MLS Rookie of the Year finalist has featured in 180 games in his seven-year career, scoring 13 goals and contributing 16 assists over that time.

Andre Rawls was the first player selected on Friday, as the former NYCFC goalkeeper was taken by the Colorado Rapids.

After spending the 2015 season with the USL’s Wilmington Hammerheads, where he allowed 32 goals in 22 starts, the 26-year-old spent the past three years with NYCFC but did not make an appearance for the club.

Rawls spent last season on loan with the USL’s Orange County SC, where he allowed 32 goals in 29 games, posting 10 clean sheets while leading the club to the USL Western Conference Final.

Rawls will likely be the back-up to Tim Howard after the Rapids traded away Zac MacMath last week for Nicolás Mezquida and $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.

With Howard scheduled to retire at the end of the 2019 season, Colorado may be grooming him to be their future starter.

Danny Toia was the third player selected, as he returns to Real Salt Lake, where he was the club’s first Homegrown Player signing eight years ago.

Despite not making an appearance for the club in 2011 and spending two seasons in the USL, the 26-year-old has spent the last five seasons in MLS making 109 appearances with Orlando City, Montreal Impact, and the now-defunct Chivas USA.

The left-back made just four appearances for Orlando City last season, though in 2017, he started in 29 of the 30 matches he appeared in.

Clubs must exercise the option to the three players selected after all saw their options declined following the season.

Players are eligible to be selected in the Re-Entry Draft in the following ways:

1)  Players at least 23 years old with a minimum of three years MLS experience whose contract options were not exercised by their clubs. They will be available at their option salary for 2019.

2)  Players who are at least 25 years old with a minimum of four years MLS experience who are out of contract and their respective clubs do not wish to re-sign them at their previous salary. They are available for at least their 2018 salary.

3)  Free agents who choose to participate.

Players may choose to opt out of the draft, and players not selected in Stage 1 will be available for Stage 2 on 20 December.