As Major League Soccer prepared for its first season, the league began stocking teams with players. As the teams were being created at the same time, the league adopted a measured approach to building rosters. First, the league allocated four "big name" players to each team. Then on February 6 and 7, 1996, the league held its 1996 MLS Inaugural Player Draft. Over sixteen rounds, teams selected players from any source. Then on March 4, the league held a three-round 1996 MLS College Draft. The 1996 MLS Supplemental Draft was held later the same day.
^#1: D.C. United → New York/New Jersey MetroStars. 3 March 1996: New York/New Jersey MetroStars acquired this first-round selection and a third-round pick (#21) in the 1996 Supplemental Draft from D.C. United in exchange for a first-round selection (#2) in the 1996 MLS College Draft.[ref 1]
^#8: Dallas Burn → New York/New Jersey MetroStars → D.C. United. 4 March 1996: D.C. United acquired this first-round pick from New York/New Jersey MetroStars in exchange for a second-round pick (#11) in the 1996 Supplemental Draft, a second-round selection (#11) in the 1996 MLS College Draft, and goalkeeper Matthew Olson.[ref 2] Earlier the same day, New York/New Jersey had acquired this first-round pick from Dallas Burn in exchange for a first-round selection (#3) in the 1996 MLS College Draft.[ref 2]
^#11: D.C. United → New York/New Jersey MetroStars. 4 March 1996: New York/New Jersey MetroStars acquired this second-round pick, a second-round selection (#11) in the 1996 MLS College Draft, and goalkeeper Matthew Olson from D.C. United in exchange for a first-round pick (#8) in the 1996 Supplemental Draft.[ref 2]
^#13: San Jose Clash → Columbus Crew. 4 March 1996: Columbus Crew acquired this second-round selection from San Jose Clash in exchange for defender Ramiro Corrales.[ref 2]
^#14: Tampa Bay Mutiny → Dallas Burn. 4 March 1996: Dallas Burn acquired this second-round pick from Tampa Bay Mutiny in exchange for a second-round selection (#18) in the 1996 MLS College Draft.[ref 2]
^#21: D.C. United → New York/New Jersey MetroStars. 3 March 1996: New York/New Jersey MetroStars acquired this third-round selection and a first-round pick (#1) in the 1996 Supplemental Draft from D.C. United in exchange for a first-round selection (#2) in the 1996 MLS College Draft.[ref 1]