Major League Soccer on Thursday announced the roster construction models that all 29 clubs have chosen for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Clubs had until the close of the Secondary Transfer Window on August 14 to declare their model – the Designated Player Model or U22 Initiative Player Model. Nineteen clubs selected the Designated Player Model, versus 10 that opted for the U22 Initiative Player Model.
Each club's roster model decision is below.
Club | Roster Construction Model |
Atlanta United | U22 Initiative Player Model |
Austin FC | U22 Initiative Player Model |
Charlotte FC | Designated Player Model |
Chicago Fire FC | U22 Initiative Player Model |
FC Cincinnati | Designated Player Model |
Colorado Rapids | Designated Player Model |
Columbus Crew | Designated Player Model |
D.C. United | Designated Player Model |
FC Dallas | Designated Player Model |
Houston Dynamo FC | Designated Player Model |
Sporting Kansas City | Designated Player Model |
LA Galaxy | Designated Player Model |
Los Angeles Football Club | U22 Initiative Player Model |
Inter Miami CF | U22 Initiative Player Model |
Minnesota United FC | Designated Player Model |
CF Montréal | U22 Initiative Player Model |
Nashville SC | Designated Player Model |
New England Revolution | Designated Player Model |
New York City FC | U22 Initiative Player Model |
New York Red Bulls | Designated Player Model |
Orlando City SC | Designated Player Model |
Philadelphia Union | U22 Initiative Player Model |
Portland Timbers | U22 Initiative Player Model |
Real Salt Lake | U22 Initiative Player Model |
San Jose Earthquakes | Designated Player Model |
Seattle Sounders FC | Designated Player Model |
St. Louis CITY SC | Designated Player Model |
Toronto FC | Designated Player Model |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Designated Player Model |
About roster construction models
A key component of the league's roster rule enhancements that were unveiled last month, the roster construction path allows clubs to choose between a Designated Player Model and U22 Initiative Model.
Both models offer six prime roster spots, increasing flexibility and control over discretionary funds. As a result, clubs can spend according to their roster-building philosophies.
The breakdown of each model is as follows:
Designated Player Model
Clubs can use:
- Up to three Designated Player roster slots
- Up to three U22 Initiative roster slots
This model eliminates previous restrictions clubs faced with DP and U22 roster slots.
U22 Initiative Player Model
Clubs can use:
- Up to two Designated Player roster slots
- Up to four U22 Initiative roster slots
- Up to an additional $2 million in General Allocation Money (GAM)^
The increased GAM can be used to "buy down" a player's Salary Budget Charge, sign players new to MLS, re-sign an existing MLS player, offset acquisition costs and more.
^ In 2024, clubs that elect for the U22 Initiative Player Model can introduce up to $1 million in added GAM due to midseason implementation.
Designated Player Model | U22 Initivative Model |
Charlotte FC | Atlanta United |
FC Cincinnati | Austin FC |
Colorado Rapids | Chicago Fire FC |
Columbus Crew | Los Angeles Football Club |
D.C. United | Inter Miami CF |
FC Dallas | CF Montréal |
Houston Dynamo FC | New York City FC |
Sporting Kansas City | Philadelphia Union |
LA Galaxy | Portland Timbers |
Minnesota United | Real Salt Lake |
Nashville SC | |
New England Revolution | |
New York Red Bulls | |
Orlando City SC | |
San Jose Earthquakes | |
Seattle Sounders FC | |
St. Louis CITY SC | |
Toronto FC | |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC |
