The 2022 MLS roster rules included a maximum of 30 players per team, with 28 senior roster spots and 2 supplemental roster spots. Teams were required to carry a minimum of 18 senior roster players and could have up to 20 international players. The salary budget was set at $4,900,000 per team, with specific allocation mechanisms including General Allocation Money (GAM) and Targeted Allocation Money (TAM).
Roster construction allowed for up to 3 Designated Players per team, whose salaries above $612,500 didn't count against the salary budget. Teams could also utilize the U22 Initiative to sign up to 3 players under 22 years old as non-Designated Players, even if their salaries exceeded the maximum budget charge. Homegrown Players occupied senior roster spots but received salary budget relief for players earning under the maximum salary budget charge.
Additionally, teams were permitted to loan players to other MLS clubs and could sign players on short-term agreements during specific transfer windows. The reserve minimum salary for senior roster players was set at $65,500, while the maximum salary budget charge for non-Designated Players was $612,500 in 2022.