The Daily Dirt, February 9: Filling out the roster

Jonathan Tannenwald broke a story yesterday that had been rumored for a bit, MLS will be adding two additional roster spots for Homegrown Players and teams can acquire one more roster spot by loaning a player to their USL affiliate for the entire season. That gives teams up to 31 roster slots to use.

For a club like Atlanta that is expecting to produce many Homegrown Players, this is a huge benefit. They only have to have two HGP’s to unlock the extra two roster spots, and United already has that in Andrew Carleton and Chris Goslin. For a team that might want to add a third goalkeeper or extra depth at outside back or on the wings, those extra two slots can come in handy.

The only question would be Carleton and Goslin’s salaries, because the two HGP’s that unlock the extra roster space must be in reserve player slots. However, it is unlikely that they would exceed the maximum in order to be considered reserve roster players.

If you want to get a headache, read through the MLS Roster Rules and Regulations.

The third additional slot is unlocked when a MLS club loans a player to their USL affiliate for the entire season without recalling them. Atlanta’s Jeffrey Otoo could be a candidate for that sort of loan to Charleston, where he would be more likely to earn playing time while opening up an international roster slot for United.

Domestic

Philadelphia Union sign Adam Najem as a Homegrown Player after acquiring his rights from the Red Bulls, also noted that rosters are expanding to allow teams to sign more HGP (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Minnesota United still finalizing some of their international players for 2017 (Metro)

Crew midfielder Federico Higuain says that Columbus is one of the best attacking teams in MLS, while also one of the worst defensive teams (Massive Report)

Marietta native and Portland Timbers forward Jack McInerney reportedly being shopped around the league (Metro)

Philadelphia Union are a veteran team built to win now (Philly Soccer Page)

Be on the lookout for this to see if Atlanta United’s Brandon Vazquez and/or Miles Robinson gets the call:

Minnesota expected to unveil their kits next week (FiftyFive.One)

Detroit mayor confident about city’s MLS expansion bid (Detroit News)

USL makes additions to the league’s front office (official)

Mary Harvey will receive the Werner Fricker Builder Award from the USSF, the first woman to receive the honor (USSF)

International

The good and the bad from Mexico’s 1-0 friendly win over Iceland (FMF State of Mind)

UEFA will ask for 16 teams at the 2026 World Cup (BBC)

Local

Elizabeth Vega from Greater Atlanta Christian signed a letter of intent to play soccer at Rhodes College (Gwinnett Daily Post)