There is nothing more valuable than a Designated Player contract in Major League Soccer. In a league so bent on parity, DP contracts — which allow teams to pay players monies above salary restrictions — are for those special, game-breaking players that lead your team to glory. And with only three at each team’s disposal, it’s imperative that these contracts be distributed with the utmost caution and scouting.
For New York City FC, however, their luck with DP designations has varied.
In their inaugural 2015 season, NYCFC spent half of the year with just one DP in legendary goalscorer David Villa.