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MLS
expands team roster sizes and international
player limits in 2005 - STM Staff
New
York - Major League Soccer announced
this past week that MLS teams will
be granted expanded roster sizes and
an increase in the number of international
players (senior & youth) allowed per
team for the 2005 season. MLS has
had a tight hold on international
players and on the number of players
allowed on a roster to date. This
move shows a shift in thinking by
the league and points to more stability
in the league.
MLS team teams will be able to hold
28 players on the roster, four more
than in 2004. Additionally, the numbers
of senior international players and
youth international players allowed
per team will also rise. Teams will
begin to add international players
to their rosters beginning on December
1, 2004. The new blood should bring
some interesting changes to the league.
"Major
League Soccer is committed to continuing
to improve the level of competition
and grow the depth of the talent pool
in our League," said MLS Deputy Commissioner
Ivan Gazidis in an MLS press release.
"Our teams have developed some of
the world's top American and international
soccer players in recent years and
we look forward to even more stars
emerging from this significantly larger
player base."
The 28 total roster spots will include
18 senior players and 10 developmental
players. Developmental players can
only be 24 years old or younger.
MLS teams will now be able to field
four senior internationals (foreign
players not holding green cards who
are 25 years of age and older during
a given season). This adds one additional
SI to the three-man senior international
limit in 2004. The Quakes will get
two signings to due to the departure
of Landon Donovan.
MLS coaches will also have three slots
for youth international players (foreign
players not holding green cards who
are 24 years of age and younger during
a given season). Youth international
players can be signed to either senior
player contracts or developmental
player contracts. This means more
Ronnie O'Briens and Damani Ralphs
in MLS - a good thing.
Interestingly, Club Deportivo Chivas
USA and Real Salt Lake will receive
two additional youth international
player slots (a total of five) for
their first two years of existence.
All youth international player spots
may also be traded, which is not the
case with senior international player
slots.
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