Just when MLS shows signs of forward progress, some decision-makers find a way to try to take a couple steps back. A league source with knowledge of discussions confirmed a report that MLS is considering eliminating the third designated player spot or potentially capping the spend at $1.5 million, the same ceiling as Targeted Allocation Money. It’s not a done deal, but it’s being discussed.



Doing so would mean that MLS will be in the awkward position of needing to argue that the spending of Atlanta United, Toronto FC, and LAFC have been bad for the league. They will have to sell this idea not only to the fans—the 72,000-plus who pack into the Benz in Atlanta; the throngs who saw TFC win the treble last year and reach the CONCACAF Champions League final; and the black-and-gold clad fans who have energized the league’s newest team—but also to the league’s biggest sponsors and its TV partners. They’ll have to convince the companies that...