The designated player rule served its purpose. It allowed the league to bring better players to its teams and to use celebrity to create a sort of cachet and credibility, both within the game and with fans. But as the league has changed, it has been slow to adapt to the increase in teams and, more importantly, the increasing cost of doing business in global soccer. The designated player rule isn’t enough for MLS to keep up. If anything. the rules as they stand present very real limitations to the on-field product.
Definitely agree that the DP rule is a hindrance for MLS cups to compete on the global stage (i.e. against LigaMX teams). Not saying it’s not possible (thanks Seattle) but it definitely makes it much more difficult and results in MLS having to bend over backwards to rest teams in CCL.
If the league is ready to compete, they should change the DP rules. Hopefully Leagues Cup exposes the need.
I think they could even leave a DP exception in case another team wants to bring a Messi level player but most teams are already spending $20 million in roster salary. Most of the DPs they bring in aren’t filling seats because of their names they are there to improve the team. let managers improve their team within a budget to the best of their ability without rules to hinder them.