GOAL explains the impact of a significant change in how MLS trades work, how it affects the transfer market
MLS announced major updates to roster rules and regulations this week, including the league's newest feature: Cash for Player Trades.
The landmark team-building decision will now allow clubs to invest an unlimited amount of cash to acquire players via trade from within the league. In addition, the league announced five other roster rule changes that are being implemented ahead of the 2025 regular season, including a second contract buyout, General Allocation Money (GAM) expiry dates, off-roster Homegrown changes, outgoing Designated Player Loans and a roster construction declaration model.
The most important and influential change for the league's future, though, is the monetary changes surrounding intra-league player trades.
MLS could be bound for a new horizon after the landmark change, and GOAL explains how that – and other new roster regulations – will affect the league in 2025 and beyond.
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Effective immediately, MLS clubs can now use unlimitedamounts of cash to trade for players within the league without using GAM or other assets such as MLS SuperDraft selections or international roster spots.
Previously, teams were not allowed to use transfer fees to purchase players within the league. The move is intended to incentivize talent within MLS to remain in the league, instead of looking to transfer outside of MLS – while also allowing clubs to generate significant amounts of revenue. Funds acquired by Cash for Player Trades can be, similar to transfer fees, converted into GAM.
Clubs will be allowed to acquire up to two players per year, and trade two players per year, for cash. No other forms of compensation, such as SuperDraft selections or international roster spots, can be utilized in deals involving cash. If a player acquired via trade for cash is a U22 initiative player or a Designated Player, they must remain on their new team under the terms of the previous contract until the deal ends.
Why did the MLS make the change now? With all eyes on the league after Lionel Messi's first full season with Inter Miami, the league is growing at a rapid pace – on and off the pitch. The hope is that more major international stars come to MLS, and stay within the league. Growing an intra-league transfer market in which clubs can use cash to purchase players will result in a more competitive MLS from a performance perspective.
AdvertisementUSA Today ImagesHow could this new rule play out?
With the new rule in place, speculation has already surfaced around FC Cincinnati star Lucho Acosta and Portland Timbers attacker Evander, with the two 2024 MLS MVP candidates potentially on the move.
Hypothetically, under the new rules, a team such as Inter Miami could purchase Acosta from Cincinnati for $10M, using the transfer funds they gained from the sale of winger Diego Gomez to English Premier League side Brighton. Prior to the new rule, for Miami to acquire Acosta, the club would have had to either trade a mixture of allocation money, potential players and/or international roster spots. In the new world, they can simply pay cash.
Acosta has been linked with a move away from FCC after he said at the end of the 2024 campaign that his time with the club may be over. At Miami, he would fit right into their Argentine contingent, while bolstering their roster ahead of competing at the 2025 FIFA World Cup.
Acosta, 2023 league MVP, could join the likes of Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi at South Beach if the opted to use the new system to pay for his arrival at the club.
Second contract buyout introduced
Starting immediately, teams will be able to buy out two player contracts per season, doubling the number under previous rules. The change includes Designated Players, as well.
Buyouts will be at the club's expense and can apply to a mutually terminated contracted player or a player whose contract remains in effect. The buyouts can be conducted during the offseason, or in-season, but must be completed prior to the close of the secondary transfer window.
Western Conference side Minnesota United are prepared to be the first team to put this ruling into effect, using an offseason buyout on striker Teemu Pukki, per the Pioneer Press. The Finland international reported for preseason this week, but the Loons are getting ready to use one of their two allotted buyouts on the 34-year-old. Under the new rules, they will also be able to buy out another player ahead of the deadline.
Getty ImagesOther roster rules introduced ahead of 2025
GAM Expiration Dates: MLS has eliminated expiration dates from GAM, apart from GAM received as part of a club’s decision to opt into the U22 Initiative Player Model at the start of the campaign.
Off-Roster Homegrown Changes: Non first-team Homegrown players will now be allowed to appear in six regular season matches, with unlimited senior appearances in Cup competitions. Previously, they were more restrictions in senior appearances. To be eligible, an off-roster Homegrown player must be 21-years-old and once moved into a senior or supplemental roster spot, they may not be reverted to an off-roster Homegrown thereafter.
Outgoing Designated Player loans: Going forward, if an international team absorbs a DP player's salary while on loan, MLS clubs will now be allowed to open that DP slot during the loan period, regardless of initial acquisition costs. This rule change loosens restrictions on DP contracts while on loan.
Roster Construction Model declaration: MLS teams must be roster compliant by Feb. 21 to begin the 2025 MLS season, but newly introduced, teams will be able to update their roster construction model at the midway point of the season – between July 1, and the close of the Secondary Transfer Window on Aug. 21. Teams can now update their roster construction mid-year.