MLS Designated Players: Which teams are getting the most bang for their buck in 2021?
While roster rules have evolved, being an MLS designated player still holds a certain level of expectations (and salary). Are teams spending wisely?
2021 Schedule
Atlanta United FCATL027/104:30 PM
0MIAMIA- Atlanta United FCATL1FT
1NYCNYC 
TORTOR0FT2Atlanta United FCATL
MTLMTL2FT1Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL1FT0MIAMIA
PHIPHI1FT0Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL3FT
2DCDC - Atlanta United FCATL4FT
0CINCIN - Atlanta United FCATL3FT
0ORLORL - Atlanta United FCATL0FT
2NSHNSH - DCDC1FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL1FT0TORTOR
- Atlanta United FCATL1FT
0LAFCLAFC 
CLBCLB2FT3Atlanta United FCATL- MTLMTL2FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- ORLORL3FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL0FT1CLBCLB
- CINCIN1FT1Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL0FT
1NENE - NSHNSH2FT2Atlanta United FCATL
CHICHI3FT0Atlanta United FCATL- Atlanta United FCATL0FT
0NYNY - NYCNYC1FT0Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL2FT2PHIPHI
- Atlanta United FCATL2FT2NSHNSH
SEASEA1FT1Atlanta United FCATL
2021 Schedule
11-10-9, 7th in Major League Soccer
- SEASEA123/5FT
1Atlanta United FCATL - Atlanta United FCATL229/5FT2NSHNSH
- Atlanta United FCATL220/6FT2PHIPHI
- NYCNYC123/6FT0Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL027/6FT0NYNY
- CHICHI33/7FT0Atlanta United FCATL
- NSHNSH28/7FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL017/7FT1NENE
- CINCIN121/7FT1Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL024/7FT1CLBCLB
- ORLORL330/7FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- MTLMTL24/8FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- CLBCLB27/8FT3Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL115/8FT0LAFCLAFC
- Atlanta United FCATL118/8FT0TORTOR
- DCDC121/8FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL028/8FT2NSHNSH
- Atlanta United FCATL310/9FT0ORLORL
- Atlanta United FCATL415/9FT0CINCIN
- Atlanta United FCATL318/9FT2DCDC
- PHIPHI125/9FT0Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL129/9FT0MIAMIA
- MTLMTL22/10FT1Atlanta United FCATL
- TORTOR016/10FT2Atlanta United FCATL
- Atlanta United FCATL120/10FT1NYCNYC
- Atlanta United FCATL027/10h:mm a z, US/Eastern0MIAMIA
NYCFC ends scoreless drought in draw vs. Atlanta
Substitute Gudmunder Thorarinsson scored on a free kick as NYCFC and Atalanta played to a draw in MLS.
NYCFC ends 509-minute scoreless streak in draw vs. Atlanta (1:56)
Vela, Chicharito top MLS pay; Araujo in top-10
LAFC's Carlos Vela remained Major League Soccer's highest-paid player with a guaranteed compensation of $6.3 million.
Atlanta United blanks Toronto FC to go fifth in the East (0:53)
Atlanta United blank Toronto FC, move above playoff line
A pair of stoppage time goals helped Atlanta United secure a 2-0 win against the host Toronto FC on Saturday.
Quiotos brace lifts Montreal over Atlanta United
Romell Quioto scored twice to propel Montreal back into a playoff spot with a come-from-behind 2-1 win against visiting Atlanta United on Saturday.
Josef Martinez's 100th goal carries Atlanta past Miami
Josef Martinez scored his 100th career goal on a 78th-minute penalty kick, leading the Atlanta United to a 1-0 win over visiting Inter Miami.
Josef Martinez scores 100th goal for Atlanta United in win (0:38)
Przybylko tallies to lift Philadelphia over Atlanta
Kacper Przybylko scored his team-leading ninth goal of the season in the 71st minute to lift Philadelphia Union to a 1-0 victory over Atlanta.
Kacper Przybylko goal 71st minute Philadelphia Union 1-0 Atlanta United FC (0:46)
MLS Power Rankings: Nashville stumbles; Atlanta continues climb
Nashville's five-game unbeaten streak came to an end at the hands of Toronto, leading NSC to slip in this week's MLS Power Rankings.
Surging Atlanta United topple D.C. United
Ezequiel Barco scored his seventh goal of the season and assisted Josef Martinez's team-leading ninth to help Atlanta beat DC United.
Ezequiel Barco nails a stunning free kick vs. D.C. United (0:30)
Atlanta routs Cincy as Martinez scores twice
Josef Martinez celebrated his 100th regular season MLS match with two more goals as Atlanta United stayed hot with a 4-0 rout of FC Cincinnati.
Atlanta United FC vs. FC Cincinnati - Game Highlights (1:58)
George Campbell, Atlanta United pounce on Orlando City
George Campbell scored his first career MLS goal in the 25th minute to propel host Atlanta United to a 3-0 victory over Orlando City.
Atlanta United FC vs. Orlando City SC - Game Highlights (2:01)
Nashville wins on the road, beats Atlanta
Daniel Rios scored late in the first half and Randall Leal added an insurance goal late in the second half Saturday as Nashville beat Atlanta.
Daniel Rios gives Nashville SC the lead before HT (0:42)
MLS Power Rankings: Red-hot Revs stay top with eighth win in nine
New England continues to run away from the pack in our Power Rankings, while Atlanta and Inter Miami are just starting to show signs of life.
Moreno's goal propels Atlanta United past D.C.
Marcelino Moreno scored the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute to lift visiting Atlanta United to a 2-1 victory over D.C. United on Saturday.
Moreno gives Atlanta United the lead in the 82nd minute (0:40)
Atlanta blanks Toronto FC for third straight
Atlanta United claimed their first three-game win streak by beating Toronto FC 1-0 on Wednesday.
Ezequiel Barco gives Atlanta United the lead (0:57)
2021 MLS Standings
| TEAM | GP | W | D | L | GD | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Revolution | 32 | 21 | 7 | 4 | +24 | 70 |
| Philadelphia Union | 31 | 13 | 10 | 8 | +11 | 49 |
| Nashville SC | 31 | 11 | 16 | 4 | +19 | 49 |
| Orlando City SC | 31 | 12 | 11 | 8 | +1 | 47 |
| New York City FC | 31 | 12 | 8 | 11 | +17 | 44 |
| New York Red Bulls | 30 | 12 | 7 | 11 | +6 | 43 |
| Atlanta United FC | 30 | 11 | 10 | 9 | +6 | 43 |
| CF Montréal | 31 | 11 | 10 | 10 | +3 | 43 |
| DC United | 31 | 12 | 5 | 14 | +1 | 41 |
| Inter Miami CF | 31 | 11 | 5 | 15 | -15 | 38 |
| Columbus Crew | 31 | 10 | 8 | 13 | -4 | 38 |
| Chicago Fire FC | 32 | 9 | 7 | 16 | -15 | 34 |
| Toronto FC | 31 | 6 | 8 | 17 | -25 | 26 |
| FC Cincinnati | 31 | 4 | 8 | 19 | -31 | 20 |
2021 Team LeadersMajor League Soccer
- Goals
- Assists
RankingsMajor League Soccer
Goal Difference6Tied-8th
Goals Scored4018th
Assists27Tied-17th
Goals Conceded34Tied-6th