Skip to content

Are more Designated Players en route to MLS?

Dec 3, 2012, 1:15 PM EDT

Sporting Kansas City v Montreal Impact Getty Images

It didn’t gain much attention, but Major League Soccer’s board of governors held their usual meetings around MLS Cup. Nothing substantive in an immediate-news way apparently rose from the talks, which marked a contrast to the last two similar set of talks.

(In 2010, owners dropped a whopper by unexpectedly adding two playoff sides. And last year, owners adopted the new format that awarded host rights to the MLS Cup finalist of better record, another biggie.)

But there was a “start” to something semi-significant, at least. The deciders of Major League Soccer began foraging for intelligent ways to add more marquee men and to generally add a little more salary cap operating space.

This is significant because the salary cap’s incremental increases have already been negotiated within the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement. So, essentially, the owners are saying here, “We don’t have to spend more money on salary … but let’s find a way to do it, anyway.”

(MORE: Heard and overheard during MLS Cup week)

How would it work? That’s what they were throwing around the table in Los Angeles, according to one person familiar with the discussions. How to add more DPs was a major element of the talks. That does not necessarily mean adding a fourth potential DP per team; more likely it’s about how to get more teams into the DP game, probably through additional mid-level types.

For instance, rather than adding the next Robbie Keane or Thierry Henry, they’d like to add more Fredy Monteros or David Ferreiras. Those are talented fellows who cannot check the box on “household name,” but who surely elevate the overall standard of play and tend to become regional fan favs.

Or, can salary be goosed to help keep more of the home-grown up-and-comers, guys like Roger Espinoza, Austin Berry or Matt Besler (pictured). The idea, of course, is assisting clubs who want to keep these guys from being Euro-plucked.

Either way, consider this a “heads up,” because an unexpected little bump in clubs’ collective salary structure may be on the way.

Latest Posts
  1. Big words of praise for New York’s Jamison Olave

    May 20, 2013, 11:57 AM EDT

    Jamison Olave-NY

    The first-year Red Bulls center back made a huge imprint on New York’s win over Los Angeles:

  2. John Terry out as Chelsea leaves for quick U.S. tour

    May 20, 2013, 11:32 AM EDT

    Britain Soccer Champions League

    There is still plenty of star appeal as the Europa League champs’ roster for a quick two-game tour of the United States:

  3. Sacha Kljestan claims another title in Belgium

    May 20, 2013, 11:09 AM EDT

    RSC Anderlecht v AC Milan - UEFA Champions League Getty Images

    Kljestan becomes the fifth American to defend a title in a top league:

  4. Vancouver’s Kenny Miller headed back to Scotland?

    May 20, 2013, 10:18 AM EDT

    Cardiff City v West Ham United-Npower Championship-Playoff Semi Final 1st leg Getty Images

    He probably will not be missed around Vancouver

  5. Sporting K.C. makes it clear after blown call – “I scored the goal”

    May 19, 2013, 10:00 PM EDT

    Sporting Kansas City v Montreal Impact Getty Images

    Sporting K.C. manager Peter Vermes and defender Ike Opera didn’t appreciate the pivotal offsides call that disallowed a possible winning goal against D.C. United, and they made that very obvious.

  6. Premier League managerial pair blast squad and referee following final match

    May 19, 2013, 8:58 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-TOTTENHAM-SUNDERLAND Getty Images

    Paolo Di Canio and Andre Villas-Boas took to the media following their teams’ Premier League finale to voice displeasure with how their final fixture played out.

  7. D.C. United rue own goal but end losing streak against Sporting KC

    May 19, 2013, 7:51 PM EDT

    kyleporter_1993-430x298 Getty Images

    A dull, scoreless first half picked up in the second term as D.C. United grabbed a point against the league’s second-best team and ended their club-record losing streak at 7 matches.

  8. Carlo Ancelotti denied release from PSG as he looks to Real Madrid job

    May 19, 2013, 5:50 PM EDT

    Paris Saint-Germain's coach Ancelotti reacts during his team's French Ligue 1 soccer match against Brest at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris Reuters

    With his eye on the imminent vacancy at Real Madrid left by Jose Mourinho’s almost certain departure, Paris Saint-Germain’s mastermind Carlo Ancelotti may now have a large hurdle to get past if he is to land his ideal job in Spain’s capital.

  9. Fernando Torres scores first Premier League goal in 2013 as Chelsea secures third place

    May 19, 2013, 5:34 PM EDT

    Britain Soccer Premier League

    Fernando Torres broke his Premier League scoring drought by banging home the game-winner to secure Chelsea a third place finish.

  10. AC Milan steal final Champions League spot with late goal

    May 19, 2013, 5:22 PM EDT

    AC Siena v AC Milan - Serie A Getty Images

    Heartbreak in Serie A this year belongs to Fiorentina. Mario Balotelli converted a penalty in the 84th minute to draw level and two minutes later Philippe Mexes slotted home a cross to secure Europe’s top competition for AC Milan.

  11. VIDEOS: A brief history of recent “Olimpico” goals in MLS

    May 19, 2013, 5:01 PM EDT

    Michael Gspurning

    Rare as they are, we’ve seen more than our share of “Olimpico” goals in MLS over the last pair of seasons, including one last night:

  12. Despite little to play for, Premier League final day provides prize money shifts

    May 19, 2013, 4:47 PM EDT

    Swansea City's Nathan Dyer is challenged by Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov  (R) during their English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea Reuters

    With Arsenal and Tottenham the only teams battling for any meaningful positioning in the Premier League table, the final day still had implications for many teams in the form of placement prize money.

  13. Sir Alex Ferguson era ends with wacky draw

    May 19, 2013, 4:28 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-WEST BROM-MAN UTD Getty Images

    Sir Alex Ferguson managed the final match of his career away from Old Trafford, and it looked set to complete on a high note, until the opposition had other ideas late.

  14. (Video) Gareth Bale’s wonder strike not enough for Tottenham to capture Champions League dreams

    May 19, 2013, 4:25 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-TOTTENHAM-SUNDERLAND

    Another game-winning strike from Gareth Bale wasn’t enough to save Tottenham from more Champions League heartache.

  15. Three points to make on a huge goal at Red Bull Arena

    May 19, 2013, 3:50 PM EDT

    JW Marriott Essex House New York Grand Opening Getty Images

    New York took all the points from the L.A. Galaxy on Tim Cahill’s late goal. So let’s talk about that goal.

  16. Where Landon Donovan’s afternoon takes us in the ongoing U.S. national team debate

    May 19, 2013, 3:17 PM EDT

    Landon Donovan

    This Landon Donovan debate regarding his place on the national team is not going anywhere. So, did Sunday’s performance move the needle either way?

  17. Arsenal grabs Champions League spot with victory over Newcastle

    May 19, 2013, 2:42 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-ARSENAL

    Arsenal secured its 16th consecutive spot on the Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

  18. Danny Koevermans gets into Toronto reserve match

    May 19, 2013, 1:43 PM EDT

    Toronto FC's Danny Koevermans reacts after missing an open net in the first half of their MLS soccer game against the New York Red Bulls in Toronto

    Sensational news for fans around BMO Field:

  19. Story-lines: What to watch for on the final day of the Premier League

    May 19, 2013, 11:30 AM EDT

    Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League Getty Images

    With David Beckham-esque tears streaming down my cheeks, we’re finally here: The final day of the 2012-13 Barclay’s Premier League.

  20. All eyes on Newcastle v. Arsenal for final Champions League spot

    May 19, 2013, 10:19 AM EDT

    Arsenal v Wigan Athletic - Premier League Getty Images

    Newcastle have nothing to play for and have been a disaster at home of late, losing their last two matches at St. James’ Park by a combined 9-0.

Top 10 Player Searches
  1. B. Beachy (MLB)
  2. T. Young (NFL)
  3. M. Goodson (NFL)
  4. T. Tebow (NFL)
  5. D. Rose (NBA)