In 2022, Major League Soccer operated under specific roster rules and regulations that governed team construction and player acquisition. The salary budget (salary cap) for the 2022 season was set at $4.9 million per team, which represented an increase from previous years as the league continued to grow and invest in player talent.
Teams were allowed to carry a maximum of 30 players on their roster, with specific allocation rules for different player categories. Each team could sign up to three Designated Players whose salaries above the DP threshold ($612,500 in 2022) did not count against the salary budget. Additionally, teams had access to Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) and General Allocation Money (GAM) to help manage their roster construction and player acquisitions.
The 2022 rules also included provisions for homegrown players, international roster spots (limited to 8 per team), and the U22 Initiative, which allowed teams to sign young international players whose budget charges were reduced. These regulations were designed to maintain competitive balance while allowing teams flexibility in building their rosters and investing in top talent.