Objectivo.com

MLS Rule Changes

Major League Soccer teams each will be granted one more roster spot to acquire another foreign player next season. The distinction between a senior and youth international has been abolished, thus any foreign player can be replaced in that spot. This move also allows the teams to trade those spots, and actually field an entire team without an American.

The level of non-resident Americans that can play in the MLS is just under thirty percent. Using the International market is the key for the MLS, with the likes of Becks and Angel, the quality is better and it attracts more people. Landon Donovan also now can stay on the LA Galaxy legitimately, but not because Becks took up the “Designated Foreign Player” spot. But Becks being a non-resident isn’t a problem because he, Carlos Ruiz, and Eddie Johnson were allowed to keep their bulky salary. Otherwise, Landon might have left the MLS entirely, and then the marquee American, wouldn’t be playing in the United States. That exception isn’t fair to the other teams, but is necessary to maintain the quality of the league.

While the MLS continues to grow, and many Americans go abroad to Europe, the clubs need quality players to fill those spots. Thus, the increase in foreign players is needed in the league for exposure as well as filling spots with decent players to fill a roster.