MLS: Grading Each Team's Designated-Player Rule Signings

The Designated Player Rule was put in place by MLS for the 2007 season.

Since the implementation of this rule, the landscape of Major League Soccer has changed.

Part of the change is due to the implementation of the rule, which allowed for the signing of a player at a higher salary. Only part of the salary counts against the cap, while the remaining portion is picked up by the team's ownership.

Currently, teams are allowed to have two Designated Players, but can pay a fee of $250,000 to the league for a third DP spot. The fee is spread amongst the other teams in the league.

The following is a look at each team’s endeavors into the world of Designated Players and how they fared.

The years listed by the player are years the player was a DP not necessarily the years the DP was a member of the team.

My opinion is based mostly on what I personally have seen, and I welcome all feedback and arguments.

Chicago Fire

DPs: Cuauhtémoc Blanco (2007 -2009), Nery Castillo (2009) , Freddie Ljungberg (2010).

Overall Grade: B+

 Without a doubt, Cuauhtémoc Blanco was everything Chicago fans hoped he would be. Blanco’s skills, along with his fiery attitude, translated into success on the pitch.

He won Goal of the Year and Newcomer of the Year, while being an MVP finalist in 2007. In 2008, he was MVP of the MLS All-Star game vs. West Ham. Blanco was brought his own special brand of entertainment to all who saw him play in Chicago.

Chicago was not as fortunate with Castillo and Ljungberg. Castillo only played eight games with the Fire and failed to find the back of the net. Ljungberg played 15 games after being traded from Seattle. He showed flashes and at times provided the workrate he was known for.

If the grade was based solely on Blanco, it would have been an A+, but the Fire get docked a notch for Castillo and Ljungberg.

Chivas USA

DPs: Juan Pablo Angel (2011-)

Overall Grade: B-

 Angel was a very successful DP during his time with New York, but was moved to the Galaxy after Thierry Henry came into the fold. He never found his rhythm with the Galaxy and moved to the stadium-sharing Chivas to make room for Keane.

With Chivas, Angel found his scoring touch and scored an impressive seven goals in nine games to close out the 2011 season.

With Angel turning 37 this year, the question remains: How much longer he can play at an elevated level.

The fact that this is Chivas' only DP signing and it appears to be a short-term one at best is the reason I gave the Goats a slightly lower grade than the production Angel gave them deserves.

Colorado Rapids

Colorado Rapids

DPs: Claudio Lopez (2010)

Overall Grade: F

Lopez was not the same player with Colorado that he was with Kansas City. Unable to find the net in his eleven appearances, Colorado parted ways with the Argentinian.

As their only DP, based on performance, Colorado has flunked the exam.

Columbus Crew

DPs: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (2008 – 2010), Andrés Mendoza (2010 - 2011)

Overall Grade: A

Schelotto is another example of a DP signing that was worth every penny.

His 2008 MVP season was capped off with MLS Cup MVP honors in a victory over the Red Bulls. During the 2008 season, Schelotto recorded an incredible 19 assists.

Mendoza was a solid contributor as a DP for the Crew, pocketing 15 goals in 40 appearances.

The Crew receives a high grade not only for the success of Schelotto and the solid production of Mendoza, but also for their finances regarding the DPS.

Neither of Columbus’s DPs had an average salary above $500,000, making them some of the lower-paid DPs in terms of annual salaries.

D.C. United

DPs: Marcelo Gallardo (2008), Luciano Emilio (2007 – 2010), Branko Bošković (2010-), Hamdi Salihi (2012-)

Overall Grade: C

Emilio was one of the most dangerous scorers in MLS during his time with United.

Gallardo never reached his potential as the playmaking dynamo in the midfield, but was still a solid contributor during his stint.

Boskovic has not made his mark with United since signing in 2010. There is still time for him to turn out, but fans' patience is wearing thin. Salihi does not have a large enough body of work to affect the grade.

The grade is based on meeting expectations, and so far Emilio is the only D.C. DP who has made a true impact.

FC Dallas

DPs: Denilson (2007), Fabián Castillo (2011-), David Ferreira (2011-)

Overall Grade: D+

Ferreira signed as a DP after his 2010 MVP season and, when healthy, has been a tremendous force for FC Dallas. I have not personally seen enough of Castillo to make a full judgment, but he has shown enough flashes in the time I have seen him to make me believe he will be a solid addition.

Denilson was perhaps the biggest flop in the history of DPs. It appeared he was here to just collect a paycheck and left Dallas fans wondering how someone with that much talent could not contribute.

Based on Castillo and Ferreira, the grade would be a solid B, but Denilson drags the grade way down.

Houston Dynamo

DPs: (Luis Ángel Landín) 2009 - 2010

Overall Grade: D

Landin was brought in to enhance the attack, but failed to live up to expectations.

Landin scored two goals in his 16 appearances with the team, cut after less than a year with the Dynamo.

Sporting Kansas City

DPs: Claudio Lopez (2008 – 2009), Omar Bravo (2011), Jéferson (2011)

Overall Grade: C

Claudio Lopez was solid during his stint in Kansas City, but never took it to the level that met the high expectations attached with his arrival.

Omar Bravo started brightly by pounding in two goals on his debut, and though he performed well for the season, his play never reached the heights of the lofty expectations attached to him.

Jéferson played an uneventful nine games for SKC.

L.A. Galaxy

DPs: David Beckham (2007-), Landon Donovan (2010-), Robbie Keane (2011-), Juan Pablo Angel (2011)

Overall Grade: A-

Becks was the player the rule was made for, and he delivered the crowds, the jersey sales, and the traveling circus. As everyone knows, Beckham brought attention to the league, both good and not so good. Beckham finally delivered the MLS Cup last season, and played some remarkable futbol over the last few seasons.

Donovan was signed to DP status in 2010, and the poster boy for American soccer over the past decade has continued to stake his claim as an all-time great in MLS.

Angel’s brief spell with the Galaxy was full of missed opportunities, as he had problems with integrating into the system. The Galaxy solved the problem by shipping him to Chivas to make room for Robbie Keane, who never met a shot he was not willing to take.

Despite the success last season, it took time for Beckham and his mates to co-exist. 

With the talent L.A. has had year after year, more than a single MLS Cup was expected, and that is why I docked them on the overall grade.

Montreal Impact

Montreal Impact

DPs: N/A

Overall Grade: Incomplete

Montreal is in their inaugural season, and has been weighing its options before diving into the Designated pool. Rumors have swirled around Michael Ballack, Drogba and Del Piero among others, but Impact fans should expect a player like Saha.

New England Revolution

DPs: Shalrie Joseph (2012-), Milton Caraglio (2011)

Overall Grade: C+

Joseph’s play over the years has warranted DP status that was finally given to him this season with a new contract. MLS rejected two offers from Celtic for his services, showing his play has caught the attention of some major teams.

Caraglio signed as a DP player while on loan for a total of 12 games. His play was solid in netting three times during that span.

The grade is low, considering Joseph has only played a few games as a DP. If he had been a DP for the last few years, the grade would have been higher.

New York Red Bulls

DPs: Thierry Henry (2010-), Juan Pablo Angel (2007 – 2010), Claudio Reyna (2007 - 2008), Rafael Marquez (2010 -), Frank Rost (2011)

Overall Grade: C

The Red Bulls have been extremely active in the Designated Player ring from day one, and have seen all extremes of production.

Henry has delivered the goods during his time, and Angel was lethal during his time in New York.

Rost was solid in goal during his 14 appearances in 2011, but decided to retire.

Marquez has been brilliant, missing and maddening during his time. His inconsistency has been puzzling, considering his accomplished career.

Reyna was only a shell of his former self during his homecoming, and was disappointing as his career came to a close.

Considering the money shelled out and the expectations, the Red Bulls came closest to achieving the ultimate goal when Angel led them to the MLS Cup, where they lost to Columbus. With everything factored in, their grade comes in as average in my book.

Philadelphia Union

DPs: None

Overall Grade: Incomplete

The Union have not signed any DPs, but they have flirted with some big names including former Arsenal man Robert Pires.

Portland Timbers

DPs: Diego Chara (2011-), Kris Boyd (2012)

Overall Grade: B

Chara has been solid in midfield since landing in Portland, and the early returns from Kris Boyd have been promising.

If John Spencer can keep Boyd focused, they could have very well struck gold with Boyd’s talent for finding the back of the net. The grade is based on Chara and the first two games of Boyd’s MLS experience.

Real Salt Lake

DPs: Alvaro Saborío (2010-)

Overall Grade: A

The Costa Rican attacker has been prolific for Real with 27 strikes in 54 games.

He has been Real’s only DP signing, but has been worth every penny, as he has been at the heart of the attack for one of the best MLS teams over the last three seasons.

San Jose Earthquakes

San Jose Earthquakes

DPs: None

Overall Grade: Incomplete

San Jose has not signed a DP and there have been few rumors regarding any movement in that direction.

Seattle Sounders

DPs: Fredy Montero (2010-), Alvaro Fernandez (2010-), Mauro Rosales (2012(, Freddie Ljungberg (2009 – 2010), Blaise Nkufo

Overall Grade: B

Seattle has hit on the South American DPs.

Montero, Fernandez, and Rosales are all technically gifted and threats to create and finish chances.

Ljungberg had his moments in Seattle, but they were too few and far between for the former Arsenal star.

Nkufo was also lacking in results in his season with Seattle. If not for the two European DPs, Seattle would have been at the top of the class as far as grades go.

Toronto FC

DPs: Mista (2010), Torsten Frings (2011-), Julian De Guzman (2009-), Danny Koevermans (2011-)

Overall Grade: C-

Guzman has been up and down during his time in Toronto.

Adding Frings and Koevermans boosted the talent around Guzman, but there has still been too much inconsistency with the threesome.

Mista never left much of an impression in his time in Toronto.

The big three can still turn things around in Toronto this season as they play their first full year together, but until that time, their grade is still going to be low in my book.

Vancouver Whitecaps

DPs: Eric Hassli (2011-), Barry Robson (summer arrival)

Overall Grade: B+

Hassli gave fans some very memorable moments during his first season in MLS. His volley against Seattle was incredible.

Robson will join Vancouver midway thru the season, and the Whitecaps are hoping he can create the needed connection in midfield. Based on Hassli alone, the Whitecaps garner a solid grade.