Major League Soccer just announced roster construction models for the remainder of the 2024 season. All clubs in the league were given the choice between the Designated Player Model, which allows up to three Designated Players and up to three U22 Initiative slots, and the U22 Initiative Player Model, which allows one Designated Player slot to be exchanged for an additional U22 Initiative slot plus an additional $1 million in General Allocation Money this year.1
To no surprise, New York City FC opted for the U22 Initiative Player Model. They are one of 10 clubs to do so, while 19 chose the Designated Player Model. (You will find a full list of clubs and roster models below.) NYCFC has the youngest squad in MLS, with eight players ages 22 and under in the First Team2 and the club's roster is best served by the flexibility of using four U22 designations and adding $1 million in GAM.
Just last Friday, NYCFC loaned Designated Player Talles Magno to SC Corinthians in Brazil. By doing so, New York City Sporting Director David Lee put the roster in compliance with the U22 Initiative Player Model.
$1 million is a lot of GAM
In 2024, all MLS clubs are allotted $2,585,000 million in GAM. But because GAM can be traded, each club's actual total sum is different and is guarded like a military-grade secret.3 Back in May, Hudson River Blue estimated that NYCFC added $300,000 in GAM through trades, plus another $1.2 million for the transfer of Taty Castellanos, and traded away $350,000. By our calculations, that brings the team's total to about $3.7 million.
This $1 million bonus will give the club a significant GAM bump.
