While it feels like the 2022-23 MLS season just ended with the Columbus Crew lifting the MLS Cup, in only 40 days the league will be right back at it. The return to play will come with Inter Miami traveling to face the Los Angeles Galaxy. The first full season of Lionel Messi may draw all the headlines, but how the other teams adjust to facing Inter Miami after the Herons added Luis Suarez to their attack will be important. There are rebuilds happening all around the league, but most notably in Colorado as the Rapids have made waves by signing Zack Steffen and Djordje Mihailovic.
As the new season looms ever closer here’s what to know from around the league.
1. Dean Smith gets up to speed
Coming from the English pyramid, where as long as you have the right number of domestic players and a team is able to comply with financial fair play, the only limit to your checkbook and your imagination, to Major League Soccer can be a shock for those learning about the league for the first time. Not only is the draft a unique mechanic for roster building found in American sports, but the roster mechanics in MLS are confusing even to those who understand the ecosystem.
Charlotte FC’s new manager Dean Smith might be familiar with the area, his son went to NC State and currently plays for the Greenville Triumph in USL League One, but he is most decidedly isn’t familiar with the roster rues.
“It’s something that I’ve definitely had a crash course on and I’ll continue to learn as I go,” Smith said about MLS rules. “The under-22 initiative, GAM, TAM, Designated Players – yeah, I’m having a crash course and learning very quickly. But you know, the head coach’s job is to improve players. The front office and the sporting directory, that’s their job to bring in the players and organize the budget. My job is to improve players and make sure I improve the team by doing that.”
Smith’s feelings are shared by…
