Livida Sport: A Global Guide to Football Transfers - Second Edition - Manual / Resource - Page 64
USA
Major League Soccer
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Major League Soccer (MLS) is the highest level of professional football in the USA,
consisting of 29 teams split into an Eastern and Western Conference. The team with the
most points from each conference wins the MLS Shield, with nine teams from each
conference then qualifying for the MLS Cup Playoffs. There is no relegation in the MLS,
which has a salary cap in place to ensure parity across the league.
In recent years, MLS clubs have secured the services of the biggest names in world
football, including Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets. Their arrivals have
boosted the league9s global visibility and contributed to a surge in viewership both in the
United States and internationally. The growing interest in the league is also reflected in
the expansion of new franchises, the latest being St. Louis City SC.
What are the foreign player rules?
MLS clubs face certain restrictions when signing overseas players. The league has a
total of 233 international roster slots shared among 29 teams. Each club starts with
eight slots, but these can be traded during the season for players or money, resulting in
varying numbers of slots for each team. An overseas player becomes a domestic player
and loses their international slot if they attend an MLS academy before age 16 or obtain
permanent residency before the second transfer window. Each club is permitted to sign
three 8Designated Players9 whose salaries do not count towards the club9s salary cap.
Playing in the MLS has been a great experience. The level is
high and all the teams are evenly matched. The facilities are
also at the top level. The experience you get travelling round
and going to different cities for games is also a big plus. I
would definitely recommend it for players if the opportunity
came up.
Matthew Longstaff
Toronto FC Midfielder, has previously played in
England and Scotland
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