NEW YORK – Major League Soccer announced today that the Board of Governors has approved an increase in the amount of Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) available to each club, providing teams the opportunity to strengthen the depth of their rosters with top domestic and international talent.

Columbus Crew SC's 2017 Golden Boot winner Ola Kamara and team Captain Wil Trapp, who led the Black & Gold to the 2017 MLS Eastern Conference Championship, were both acquired or retained by Crew SC's utilization of Targeted Allocation Money.

Following the 2017 MLS season where each club received an allotment of $1.2 million dollars of TAM, all 23 MLS teams will continue to receive $1.2 million of TAM per year in 2018 and 2019. MLS clubs may pull forward and use immediately the $1.2 million of TAM designated for 2019.

MLS clubs also will have the flexibility to spend up to an additional $2.8 million of TAM, on a discretionary basis funded by the team, per year in both 2018 and 2019, which will further enhance the quality of play across the league.

As MLS continues to invest in player acquisition and retention, this major increase announced today substantially increases the amount of TAM that was introduced in 2016.

Announced in 2015, Targeted Allocation Money is a strategic investment that provides every team with increased resources to add, or retain, players that will make an immediate impact on the field. Through the increased investment, teams have signed impact players such as 2017 MLS Cup Finalist and Best XI selection Victor Vazquez of Toronto FC; 2016 MLS Cup hero, 2017 Cup Finalist and the man who helped put Panama through to next summer’s World Cup, Roman Torres of Seattle Sounders FC; and Houston Dynamo attacking winger Romell Quioto.

A complete list of players acquired or retained using Targeted Allocation Money during the 2017 season is available by CLICKING HERE.

About Targeted Allocation Money: