The 2022 MLS roster rules established a comprehensive framework for team building with a salary budget of $4,900,000 per team. Each MLS team could carry a maximum of 30 players on their roster, with 20 senior roster spots and up to 10 supplemental roster spots for younger players and those earning below the senior minimum salary.
The salary budget included several key allocation mechanisms: General Allocation Money (GAM) worth $1,625,000 per team and Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) worth $2,800,000 per team. These funds could be used to buy down player salaries below the Designated Player threshold, acquire players via trade, or sign new players. Teams were allowed up to three Designated Players whose salaries above $612,500 didn't count against the salary budget.
Additional roster rules included provisions for Homegrown Players (academy graduates who could be signed outside the salary budget), international roster spots (8 per team with ability to trade), and Generation Adidas players (recent college graduates with special salary budget relief). The rules also established minimum and maximum salary thresholds, with the senior minimum salary set at $65,500 and the maximum budget charge for any non-DP player capped at $612,500.