How the reported roster rules changes could impact Atlanta United

I tried my best and my brain hurts

via Atlanta United

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[puts on helmet]

Let’s talk MLS roster rules. 

Yesterday, The Athletic’s Paul Tenorio reported on a number of roster rule changes set to be implemented in MLS this summer. Yes, that’s right, there will be a significant shift in how teams can structure their roster during the middle of a competitive season. When I talk about the Supporters’ Shield race being a battle royale between 29 teams who are fighting each other and a wizard whose sole goal is to minorly inconvenience those teams, this is what I’m talking about. On top of the international breaks, roster designations and congested schedules, the rules can change however and whenever. Just because. 

Anyway, if they’re approved by the MLSPA, Atlanta United will have to do their best to navigate those changes this summer. We might as well do our best to try and understand what they are and then think about the (very complicated) future. 

CHANGE NO. 1: THE DESIGNATED PLAYER AND U22 SLOTS

The Current Rule 

To refresh as simply as possible: Teams have Designated Player and U22 slots on their roster. 

You can pay a Designated Player anything you want without it destroying your salary cap. Designated Players who are older than 23 cost $683,750 against a team’s salary cap.  Designated Players who are younger than 23 cost $200,000 and are known as “Young Designated Players.”

If a player’s budget charge (Yearly salary + amortized transfer fee) is above $1,683,750 they are required to be a Designated Player. If their budget charge is below that, they are not required to be a Designated Player. 

Atlanta United has two players—Giorgos Giakoumakis and Thiago Almada—who are required to be Designated Players. Almada is a Young DP. 

Stian Gregersen, Atlanta United’s third DP, is not required to be one. Atlanta only placed this tag on him to reduce his cost against the salary cap. 

You can pay a U22 Initiative player—A player who is 22 or younger and has a U22 tag—up to $683,750 in yearly salary and it will only cost $200,000 against your salary cap. You do not have to worry about transfer fees with these players. 

Each team currently has three available spots on their roster for Designated Players and U22 players. However, if you have three players older than 23 who are not required to be Designated Players on your roster, you are only allowed one U22 player. 

Atlanta United currently has only one player above 23 that is required to be a Designated Player. Even if Atlanta United took the Designated Player tag off Stian Gregersen and added another player like Giorgos, they would not be required to drop down to just one U22 spot because Thiago Almada is a Young Designated Player. 

Here is a video of a baby elephant playing with a big ball so that you can give your brain a break. 

The change on the way