To our friends in North America, designated player It's completely normal and accepted as part of the sport. However, this idea is a bit foreign here in the UK, so let me explain.
If you're old enough to remember playing Football/Championship Manager back in the days when Serie A had restrictions on foreign players, you'll already get the gist. Italian teams could only have a certain number of foreign players on their team. That's part of the reason why many of the top players based in Italy at the time seemed to have played for either Inter, Milan or Juventus at some point in their career.
Serie A rules also produced many foreign-born players who claimed Italian heritage. Orindi— Italian nationals repatriated — to circumvent the rules.
In MLS, teams are allowed up to three designated players at a time. These players don't necessarily have to be from outside the United States or Canada. A designated player is simply a player for whom a team will pay a transfer fee or break the salary cap.Actually, I have a nickname. beckham rule For obvious reasons.
We spent the day diving into Major League Soccer's high profile DP games. Consider this a beginner's guide to MLS designated players and who to keep an eye on as the season progresses.
Inter Miami: Lionel Messi & Sergio Busquets
The greatest holding midfielder of all time, and perhaps the greatest player of all time, suddenly strutted around Miami in flamingo pink. We expected that other former Barça legends would also be included here, but somehow David Beckham's finance chief decided to add Jordi Alba and Luis Suárez without declaring them as designated players. Looks like we've figured out a way to make a deal… Are they going to pay taxes for us? ?
Toronto FC: Lorenzo Insigne & Federico Bernardeschi
If you've never heard of Ontario and Toronto, chances are they're both small towns in Italy. In short, it's the perfect place for the Italian Revolution. These guys still get it— Nondolmires TFC. Don't sleep on TFC.
Orlando City: Luis Muriel
If the mercurial former Atalanta forward, who has been constantly compared to the great Ronaldo Nazario, said he would be playing in a purple shirt next season, you would think he would return to Fiorentina. it's not. Muriel is only 32 years old and is expected to see some action in Florida this season.
DC United: Christian Benteke & Mateusz Klich
Bentekerz is happily living in the capital. He and Mateusz jumped into NPR and put on a small desk concert of DIY trap-hop songs about relegation battles. That's a nice idea.
Nashville SC: Sam Surridge & Walker Zimmerman
Born in Slough, spent time in Bournemouth, Weymouth, Poole Town, Yeovil Town, Oldham, Swansea, Stoke, Nottingham Forest and now…Nashville. It's a strange football journey for the 25-year-old Surridge, but one we're loving.
Zimmerman is a member of the United States national team, but has never played outside of MLS. If you're a local and a designated player, you're probably doing something right.
Quiz: Can you name the top 30 goal scorers in Major League Soccer history?
Vancouver Whitecaps: Ryan Gold
A Scottish wonderland who never had a home seems to have finally found a home. After signing for Sporting Clube de Portugal as a teenager, he only made two first-team appearances for the Lisbon side due to multiple loans elsewhere. Gold has been with Vancouver since 2021, and he has played in more games than any other team, racking up an impressive 1-for-4 goal percentage in the process.
Minnesota United FC: Teemu Pukki
I'm talking now. The guy we all thought was a genius and put 5.9 points into the Fantasy Premier League. And we were. I wish him luck.It's also very satisfying to have a guy who looks like Teemu Pukki playing for a team that is literally called an NFL franchise. Vikings.
LA Galaxy: Riqui Pucci
When the Barça prodigy returned for the 2022 pre-season, his friend and coach Xavi told Puig he was no longer in his plans and banned him from training with the first team, reports Athletic. told the paper. Puig felt betrayed and decided to change his life and move to the other side of the world and build a career in America.
Puig will face his former teammates Busquets and Alba this season. This is definitely a work to watch.
Chicago Fire: Xherdan Shaqiri
Windy City Power Cube. That's a terrible book title. This is the best thing to happen to Chicago since Kevin McAllister was left behind by his family. Fuck Jordan, Pippin, Rodman, etc. Xherdan is that man. He may be an eighth of their size, but he's a lot of fun to watch. Enjoy him, Chicagoans.
Read: Can you name all 20 deals Michael Edwards made as Liverpool sporting director?
CF Montreal: Victor Wanyama
Did you know that Wanyama grew up in Kenya as a Celtic fan, and chose the number 67 shirt when he signed for the Boys to commemorate the year the Lisbon Lions won the European Cup? Billy Connolly, Rod Stewart, If you've ever wondered what Victor Wanyama has in common, now you know.
New England Revolution: Carles Gil
The former villain has been doing business in the United States since 2019 and is steadily growing. He has just signed his new contract until 2027. Earn club legend status. Is he the greatest sportsman to ever grace Gillette Stadium? Probably not. Is he better at (real) football than Tom Brady? Yes, definitely.
New York Red Bulls: Emil Forsberg
He's a good player, Forsberg. Bleeding Red Bull. Taurine's dream. And if a remake of Game of Thrones were to be filmed in New York, he would be a big part of the role of Jaime Lannister. I was hooked.
Houston Dynamo: Hector Herrera
The right midfielder is Hector. Tough tackling, technically sound, strong, good passer. A very smart sign by Dynamo if you ask us. No frills, just midfield steel and functionality. Classy Tex-Mex cuisine.
Read next: 9 top European players we believe are destined to tear up MLS
TAKE THE QUIZ: Can you name all the clubs that will win the MLS Cup?
