D.C. United's spending on Designated Players represents the single biggest line item in the club's payroll. MLS teams can have up to three DPs, and these players' salaries can range from approximately $1 million to over $20 million depending on the caliber of talent.
D.C. United's DP strategy reflects the club's competitive ambitions and market position. Some clubs invest heavily in all three DP slots, while others keep slots open for mid-season acquisitions or to trade for allocation money. The effectiveness of DP spending is one of the key differentiators between successful and struggling MLS teams. The MLSPA's annual salary data release provides transparency on exactly how much each team's DPs earn.