On Thursday, all 13 Major League Soccer clubs will be required to have rosters that comply with the league's regulations, including the salary cap. Each club will be allowed to have no more than 28 players on its roster, including 18 senior roster members and 10 developmental players. Additionally, every team will be required to adhere to the rules regarding international players.
Some clubs will be forced to place players on waivers to meet the roster limits or to stay under the salary cap. Anticipating this, some clubs have already released players. Real Salt Lake dropped seven players prior to departing for their preseason camp in Spain, while FC Dallas released four before heading to Brazil. Players drafted by MLS teams this offseason do not count as roster players until they have been officially signed by the club.
Each team can have no more than four senior internationals (25 years old or younger), with the exception of Toronto FC. The Canadian expansion side is allowed three additional senior internationals, as long as those players would be considered domestic players for any of the U.S.-based teams. Each team is allowed up to three youth internationals, with Toronto allowed two extras.
Roster compliance day is not the end of all player movement this offseason. Teams can still sign players, providing that player is not under contract anywhere else and the club has room on their roster and inside the salary budget. Teams can also waive players in order to make space for new acquisitions. MLS clubs can still make trades after Thursday.
Jonathan Nierman is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
