Major League Soccer Unveils Game-Changing Roster Rules for 2025 Season

Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced significant changes to its roster rules and regulations ahead of the 2025 season. These updates aim to enhance roster construction flexibility and provide more opportunities for player movement within the league, marking a pivotal shift in how teams can build their rosters.

Key Takeaways

• Cash for Player Trades: Clubs can now use unlimited cash to trade for players.
• Second Contract Buyout: Teams can buy out two guaranteed contracts each year.
• GAM Expiration Dates: General Allocation Money (GAM) will no longer expire, with some exceptions.
• Off-Roster Homegrown Changes: Increased eligibility for young players in league matches.
• Outgoing Designated Player Loans: New rules for loans that open Designated Player slots.
• Midseason Roster Construction Model Updates: Clubs can update their roster model midseason.

Cash for Player Trades

One of the most groundbreaking changes is the introduction of a cash-for-player trade system. MLS clubs can now invest an unlimited amount of cash to acquire players from within the league. This change allows teams to trade up to two players per year for cash, without needing to use General Allocation Money (GAM) or other assets.

• Trade Parameters:
  • Clubs can acquire and trade away up to two players per year for cash.
  • Cash spent on trades will count against the player’s Salary Budget charge.
  • No other forms of compensation can be included in cash trades.

Second Contract Buyout

Clubs now have the option to buy out two guaranteed contracts each year, including Designated Players. This buyout can occur in-season or during the offseason, providing teams with more flexibility in managing their rosters.

• Buyout Conditions:
  • Must be completed by the close of the Secondary Transfer Window if done in-season.
  • Applies to any mutually terminated contract or a contract still in effect.

GAM Expiration Dates

MLS has eliminated expiration dates for General Allocation Money, allowing clubs to retain GAM indefinitely, except for GAM received under the U22 Initiative Player Model, which must be used within the same season.

Off-Roster Homegrown Changes

The league has revised the eligibility criteria for Off-Roster Homegrown players, allowing them to participate in more matches and competitions.

• New Eligibility Rules:
  • Off-Roster Homegrown players can now appear in up to six MLS league matches.
  • Unlimited appearances in cup competitions are allowed.
  • Players must be 21 years old or younger to qualify as Off-Roster Homegrown.

Outgoing Designated Player Loans

Under the new rules, if an international club absorbs a Designated Player’s entire salary during a loan, the MLS team will open that Designated Player slot for the duration of the loan. This change applies after the player’s first season in MLS.

Midseason Roster Construction Model Updates

Clubs will now have the opportunity to update their roster construction model midseason, allowing for greater flexibility in acquiring Designated Players and U22 Initiative Players. This update is conditional and must be declared between July 1 and the close of the Secondary Transfer Window.

• Conditions for Updates:
  • Clubs must meet specific GAM usage and roster limits to make changes.

These changes represent a significant evolution in MLS’s approach to roster management, aiming to foster a more dynamic and competitive league environment as it heads into the 2025 season.

Sources

• MLS 2025 roster rules: Every change & what they mean  | MLSSoccer.com, MLSsoccer.com.
• MLS Announces 2025 Roster Rules Changes to Increase Roster Construction Flexibility | MLSSoccer.com, MLSsoccer.com.
• MLS 2025 roster rules explained: How new Cash for Player Trade system could affect league, what new changes mean for 2025 season | Goal.com US, Goal.com.