D.C. United manages their salary cap by balancing investment across multiple roster tiers. The club's Designated Players consume the largest share of total spending, while TAM players provide quality depth in the $500K-$1.5M range, and supplemental roster players fill out the squad at lower salary levels.
Effective salary cap management is one of the most important skills for MLS front offices. D.C. United's approach reflects their competitive philosophy and market position. Teams that use their allocation money wisely, develop homegrown players (who carry favorable cap charges), and make smart DP investments tend to sustain success over multiple seasons. The constant challenge is balancing short-term competitiveness with long-term roster sustainability.