Atlanta United are revolutionising Major League Soccer. Their purposeful targetting of young, South American talent and turning away the ageing, European veterans that many other clubs have looked to build their teams around has changed the way that other organisations have looked to assemble their squads.
There is a growing departure from the slightly dimmed European star. None of the four Conference finalists this season have an ageing Designated Player from Europe. Only three of the12 playoff teams do: Wayne Rooney at D.C. United, David Villa at New York City FC, and Carlos Vela at LAFC, and Vela is still only 29.