The David Beckham rule changed the way Major League Soccer squads are assembled. While the salary cap remained in place, introducing the roster slot of a ‘Designated Player’ allowed clubs to invest significantly in specific players.
Initially, only one Designated Player (DP) was allowed per team. That figure has since risen to three and could push higher in the future as MLS continues to expand, growing in financial muscle and world footballing calibre.
This, obviously, has changed how teams see the process of roster building, especially when it comes to their assortment of resources throughout the squad, including among the high-end players.