The official 2023 MLS salary budget was set at $5,210,000 per team, representing an increase from the previous year's $4.9 million cap. This salary budget covered the salaries of all players on a team's roster, excluding Designated Players above the budget charge amount.
Under the 2023 roster rules, each MLS team could carry 28 players on their roster during the regular season, with a minimum of 18 players required. Teams were allowed up to three Designated Players whose salaries above $651,250 did not count against the salary budget. The General Allocation Money (GAM) pool was also increased to help teams manage player acquisitions and salary cap compliance.
Additional roster mechanisms in 2023 included Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) for players earning between the maximum budget charge and the DP threshold, homegrown player slots that provided roster and budget advantages, and international roster spots that were required for non-domestic players. These rules were designed to maintain competitive balance while allowing teams flexibility in roster construction.