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MLS: Top 5 Designated Player groups

By Andrew Dowdeswell

KENNESAW, GA JULY 07: Atlanta's Josef Martinez (left) celebrates Gonzalo "Pity" Martínez's (right) goal during the US Open Cup match between Saint Louis FC and Atlanta United FC on July 10th, 2019 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
KENNESAW, GA JULY 07: Atlanta's Josef Martinez (left) celebrates Gonzalo "Pity" Martínez's (right) goal during the US Open Cup match between Saint Louis FC and Atlanta United FC on July 10th, 2019 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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KENNESAW, GA JULY 07: Atlanta’s Josef Martinez (left) celebrates Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez’s (right) goal during the US Open Cup match between Saint Louis FC and Atlanta United FC on July 10th, 2019 at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

In MLS, each team can have three Designated Players. But which team has the best crop? Here are the top five DP groups in the league.

Ever since the introduction of the Designated Player rule, it has been vital for Major League Soccer teams to maximise the DP slots on the roster. With a fixed salary-cap charge for these players, the DP slots allowed MLS teams to pay the types of wages that are necessary to attract the highest-quality players.

At present, an MLS team can have three DPs on the roster. Given the financial restrictions on the rest of the roster, it is crucial that they make the most of their three DPs. So, who currently has the best DP group in the league?

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Well, here are the top five DP crops in Major League Soccer right now.

Honourable Mentions: Portland Timbers, FC Cincinnati, New England Revolution

MLS, Sporting KC
VANCOUVER, BC – FEBRUARY 29: Alan Pulido #9 of Sporting Kansas City celebrates with teammates Ilie Sanchez #6 and Khiry Shelton #11 after scoring a goal on the Vancouver Whitecaps during MLS soccer action at BC Place on February 29, 2020 in Vancouver, Canada. (Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images) /

5. Sporting KC

Adding Alan Pulido has revolutionised Sporting Kansas City. Peter Vermes’ side have looked superb in 2020, and Pulido’s presence as an elite centre-forward has played a key part. The Mexican has two goals and one assist in his two appearances and has displayed his terrific work-rate and incessant running throughout.

SKC partner Pulido with Johnny Rusell and Felipe Gutierrez. Russell is one of the best wingers in the league. In his first season in the league, he scored ten goals and added nine assists. He then followed that up with a nine-goal, six-assist campaign last year, despite Sporting KC’s collective troubles as injuries cut through the heart of the team.

Gutierrez, meanwhile, is a brilliant central midfielder. He scored 12 goals in an offensive-minded central midfield role that provided him with the freedom to make those late runs into the box that he is so capable of. He is yet to make an appearance this season through injury, but that Sporting KC have started so well without him only goes to show how frightening this trio.

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