Does it make sense to rebuild in MLS?

Non-expiring GAM has changed roster building, but do we really see true American sport like rebuilds?

First off, I owe you guys an apology. It’s been a minute since we’ve had a post and I’ve been locked into the CWC. There hasn’t been much transfer talk with as we entered the middle of the MLS season, but now with the transfer window coming up and teams ready to make changes, we’ve never been more back.

The topic of the day revolves around rebuilding in MLS. Is it really needed? Let’s dive in.

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When I think of a rebuild, I think of one that many NBA, NFL, or NHL teams take. They often are really bad for 2-3 seasons before building some sort of a core and then getting back into competing. Look at the 2025 NBA Champions, The OKC Thunder (as much as it pains me to say it) rebuilt their team excellently over the course of multiple seasons. They went from missing the playoffs three seasons in a row, to earning the number one seed in back to back seasons and eventually winning the title.

In hockey, an article on the Daily Faceoff detailed how the average NHL rebuild takes 8.5 years. They often result in Stanley Cups but have grown longer recently due to how accepted they are amongst technical staffs and fans. In years 23 and 24 of its rebuild, the Florida Panthers hoisted the Stanley Cup.

We can point out example on example of teams that rebuild and hit younger players. All these teams have something in common; they can rely on the draft to change their fortunes. The draft can provide that young spark that teams need on cap-friendly deals, allowing them to grow together and develop in games at the cost of being competitive.

In soccer, we don’t have an all-important draft. Teams are dependent on their academies, developing talent and then slowly implementing them into the first team. In world soccer, with promotion and relegation, you cannot tank and run the risk of losing games; you’ll be relegated with financial implications on the line. A team may be able to refresh over time, but they need to be competitive in the process or face major consequences.

Major League Soccer is different. It, like its counterpart in Mexico, does not actively have promotion and relegation. If an MLS team is bad, they will still be playing in MLS the next season. It allows for the possibility of tanking, although it wouldn’t really result in anything special. The number one pick in the MLS draft is often a player that may be a depth player and may pan out in that role. In other sports, the number one pic is a generational talent or a star that will change the face of the franchise.

I’ve been mulling this question quite a bit. In theory, a MLS team could sit there and be very patient with its build. They could play a lot of the younger players, let them get minutes in the top flight, and help them develop. Maybe in one to two seasons, the team can stock GAM, and add complimentary pieces to the homegrown or other players on the roster.

The problem is, MLS isn’t the biggest fish in its pond. Other teams across the world are looking to poach its talent and players are looking to play in the toughest leagues. A player may play two seasons and then be out the door with big financial gain. Your build constantly is being attacked by other clubs looking to get a piece of your academy. MLS has built out rules to make it a bit more attractive for a younger player to stay, such as the U22 initiative, where homegrown players can make up $200K above the budget charge (or around $943K). Maybe then, a player will stay. Again, there’s a lot more variables than just money in this instance; if a club gets an offer they can’t refuse, that player is gone.

MLS is also a league where it is literally harder to miss the playoffs than make it; nine teams out of 15 can make the post-season. Win a play-in, and you’re in the playoffs. We saw number nine seed Atlanta United knock off the best team in MLS regular season history in Inter Miami in a best of three. The incentives MLS teams have to make it include gate from a home playoff game that’s guaranteed and a chance to advance deep and make a cup run. The New York Red Bulls were a seven seed that made the MLS Cup Final. Number eight seed SKC in 2023 weren’t too far off from making the Western Conference Finals.

There’s very few situations where an American style rebuild should exist in MLS. One is the current situation we’re seeing in Toronto. The two DPs were not working out, so the club bought them out mid season. They can turn around their fortunes with strong scouting for DPs and by filling out their roster slowly. Spend more time targeting and scouting your targets and look to fill out the roster with TAM players in those spots to reduce their budget charge in 2026. This season is lost for Toronto and there’s no point in pushing for MLS Cup; a new player will have very limited time to make an impact. Wave the white flag and build the foundation for 2026.

Again, TFC is ending it mid season. There’s a limited rebuilding opportunity but to me, this constitutes as a bit more of a real rebuild compared to other scenarios. I went on 3rd Degree’s pod and discussed why I believe FC Dallas’ situation is not a rebuild; they have literally acquired the 2023 MLS MVP, have a key forward, and were able to clear out bigger contracts in the process. They are also sitting on a boatload of GAM; if they team wanted to, they could be competitive by changing tracts and adding a third DP. Obviously, you cannot turn around a roster in one window. That does not make sense in terms of continuity and nor is that realistic. The point stands though; unlike TFC, whose season has just horrendous and needed to cut ties with two prime roster spots, Dallas absolutely has the ability to be competitive. They are just choosing not to be.

A rebuild in MLS does not make sense. The parity in the league is tight; An expansion team is amongst the top teams in the West. The MLS Cup winner is sitting in dead last. A team that missed the generous playoff system last season is sitting in second in the East. MLS teams should be retooling their rosters; yes, if a contract situation is so bad, it may take slightly longer to be competitive. But MLS gives teams so many mechanisms to get out of these deals. You get two buyouts now. If you really want to offload a player, attach some GAM. Dallas picked up Shaq Moore and Anderson Julio, two players that are seemingly cap casualties, for peanuts. The Galaxy offloaded many players in order to get barely cap compliant.

I just don’t see a world where a full on, slow, methodical rebuild needs to exist in MLS. A club can turnover its fortunes over the course of an offseason. Look at FC Cincinnati. When Chris Albright took over, the team was last in MLS, and were consistently bad. Since then, they’ve been fifth, first, and third in the Eastern Conference. They currently sit first. In 2023, they made the conference final. Is the rebuilding stage where they finished fifth and made it to the second round of the playoffs? To me, there was no rebuild; Albright built a team ready to compete by adding pieces to the existing roster.

The literal 2024 MLS Cup Champions missed the playoffs the year before. They added Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil and the rest is history. They dominated the West and added another trophy to the case by spending money, cleaning out certain deals, and going all in on maximizing cap space (even if it meant sacrificing 2025’s flexibility).

MLS is such a unique league in North American sports. A club has no incentive to tank, something leagues dream of. Every owner believes they can win MLS Cup and compete for it. Cap management is key but a rebuild? Stop it (unless you’re Toronto).