A key roster rule change in MLS is in the works and is expected to go into effect this summer, with the league planning to decouple designated player (DP) spots and U-22 initiative slots, sources briefed on the talks tell The Athletic.
Currently for an MLS club to use all three U-22 initiative slots, they cannot have three senior, over-max-budget DPs. In that instance, clubs can use only one U-22 initiative slot. Under the expected change, clubs will have access to all three U-22 initiative slots, no matter how they strategize their DP spots.
The change is significant because these two...