Major League Soccer revealed updated roster profiles for all 30 of its’ clubs on Thursday morning and there were a few surprises when it comes to St. Louis City SC. The first, and most noteworthy, is the change in designation for captain Roman Bürki. Bürki was signed as a designated player (DP) from the clubs’ inception but has been bought down through the use of team allocated money (TAM). This change also signals a big shift from City, who are now locked into the Under 22 (U22) Initiative Roster Model through at least the first half of the 2025 campaign.
Courtesy: MLS
As a short reminder, MLS has two roster models for its’ clubs to utilize. The Three DP model allows clubs to sign up to three DPs and up to three U22 players while the U22 Initiative model limits clubs to 2 DPs and up to four U22 players. Both models have their benefits and allow clubs to prioritize their spending in different ways; but for City the largest benefit of going this route will be the additional $2M in general allocation money (GAM) that comes with it. That additional GAM, combined with the funds the club received from Philadelphia in return for Indiana Vassilev could be put to use quickly if comments made by Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel prove true. He told KMOX shortly after the trade that the plan isn’t to just stockpile GAM.
How they use the GAM remains to be seen but its’ worth remembering that MLS rules allow clubs to change models midseason. Doing so would mean that City has spent less than $1M of the GAM that was given to them as part of going with the U22 model. So watching the GAM closely could give an indication of what City will do midseason.
I don’t think the shift is particularly surprising for the organization. From the outset of his hiring, Olof Mellberg’s record of developing players has been touted. Shifting to this model could open the door for the club to bring in younger talent that he could help develop and then sell. That’s really one of the strongest footholds for the league in the global soccer market; being a level of competition to help develop players for the next steps in their careers. If City can start down that path, it could be a sustainable way to increase investment in the squad year over year.
Does Buying Down Bürki Mean He’s Leaving?
Not necessarily. While negotiations are presumed to still be ongoing between the goalkeeper and the club, buying the last year of his contract down to TAM levels doesn’t mean the door is closed on a return after this campaign. It could indicate a change in the clubs’ prioritization in spending; perhaps ownership doesn’t feel using a DP slot on a keeper is a the right strategy. Maybe it means they will look to use that designation a different way should the season not go as planned. Or, maybe it really is a commitment to trying to become a club known for developing younger players. It’s all just speculation as to if there is a meaning behind the change in roster model. But regardless; I don’t think this is a clear indicator that Bürki leaves St. Louis at seasons end.
Other Takeaways
Offseason concerns about the number of international slots the club needed for 2025 can be checked off the list as Jake Girwood-Reich and Cedric Teuchert have both obtained their green cards. As a result they no longer have to occupy international roster slots, brining that portion of the roster into compliance.
We learned a little bit more about the costs of bringing in Timo Baumgartl and Conrad Wallem during the winter transfer window. Neither of them carry a TAM designation, so their compensation will be less than $743,750. I know Wallem is only a loan but being able to draw this conclusion makes both of these acquisitions feel like even better business by the club.
Célio Pompeu moves to the senior roster while Caden Glover and Miguel Perez land on the supplemental roster to start the season. Meanwhile, Mykhi Joyner and Tyson Pearce, the other two Home Grown players, are Off Roster designations which means they can play an unlimited amount of US Open Cup games and up to 6 games with each call up to the first team.
Ultimately, the biggest takeaway is how much flexibility this gives the club heading into what could be a major roster overhaul. If my math is correct, the club has one opening on each the senior and supplemental roster. City also has an open international roster slot, so with an estimated $2.4M in GAM available, the club could go out and look for a U22 player who could make a difference this season. If Pfannenstiel doesn’t rush to make a move, City has 19 players entering a contract season. In the past, we’ve seen him refuse to lose players for nothing so there’s plenty of intrigue on that front as well.
City returns to the pitch Saturday night in San Diego with a 9:30 p.m. CT kickoff.
Taking his passion for soccer and St. Louis to the next level, Jeremy aims to provide analytical coverage of all this St. Louis City SC.
