Five new DPs to watch as MLS kicks off in 2022

Since the arrival of David Beckham in 2007 flipped the script on Major League Soccer with the creation of the Designated Player rule that allowed teams to sign marquee players outside of the salary cap, the league’s teams have used DPs to varying degrees of success.

Robbie Keane, Sebastian Giovinco and Miguel Almiron helped their respective teams win MLS Cups. Jermain Defoe, Wayne Rooney and Denilson sold some jerseys, but did little to move the needle on the pitch. With only three DP spots on a team’s roster, MLS clubs must be judicious in their usage of them and know that swinging for the fences is just as likely to end up with a strikeout as it is a home run.

The 2022 season brings with it 19 new DPs to MLS. Let’s look at some of the notable arrivals.

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Carlos Salcedo, Toronto FC – It’s no secret that defending was one of Toronto FC’s biggest issues during last year’s horrendous campaign. Only FC Cincinnati conceded more goals (74) than TFC’s 66 in 2021. The arrival of the experienced Carlos Salcedo helps kill two birds with one stone. Not only will the 28-year-old Mexico centre-back shore up a leaky backline, but it also helps the Reds move on from the disappointing Yeferson Soteldo experiment. TFC shipped the diminutive Venezuela midfielder to Tigres in a swap deal for Salcedo. Soteldo just wasn’t a great fit at Toronto FC. Signed as a Designated Player from Brazilian side Santos, Soteldo ended up with only three goals in 24 league appearances in 2021. While TFC won’t be sad to see Soteldo go, the feeling is, uh, mutual. “Playing for Tigres is like a personal revenge for me after giving away a year of my career in Major League Soccer,” Soteldo said last week. “So here I am, I came to compete, and I hope to reach