Parity in Major League Soccer is far from dead, but it is on the downswing.



For the first decade of the league’s existence, tight spending restrictions ensured clubs operated on a mostly level playing field. That has shifted as the league has allowed teams to spend more and more outside of the salary cap. The introduction of the designated player rule in 2007 and the advent of targeted allocation money in 2015 created, and subsequently widened, a spending gap. With that gap has come a decrease in parity and the beginnings of an MLS aristocracy.



“With more discretionary spending, it’s natural that parity would decrease, and I think it has a little,” said Toronto FC GM Ali Curtis. “It’s still a little early, but it feels that way for sure.”



That burgeoning aristocracy will be on full display when LAFC plays Seattle and Atlanta plays Toronto in the MLS Cup conference finals. All four clubs are leading...