Major League Soccer (MLS) has announced its plans to implement two rule changes aimed at reducing stoppages during games in the upcoming 2024 season. These changes, which include an off-field treatment rule and a timed substitution rule, were approved during a recent board of governors meeting. Additionally, the league made some other minor updates to roster guidelines and on-field rules. However, despite some speculation concerning more significant alterations to roster building and team competitiveness, no profound changes were made in these areas.
One of the rule changes set to take effect in the 2024 MLS season is the off-field treatment rule. Under this rule, any player who remains down with a suspected injury for at least 15 seconds must be removed from the field and receive a minimum of two minutes of treatment on the sideline. However, exceptions will be made for injuries resulting from fouls that earn yellow or red cards. MLS conducted trials of this rule in MLS Next Pro, their developmental league, where stoppages decreased from an average of six per match to just 1.22. This change aims to limit time wastage and ensure prompt medical attention while reducing disruptions to the flow of the game.
The second rule change focuses on the substitution process. According to the timed substitution rule, players leaving the field must do so within ten seconds. Failure to comply will result in their replacement having to wait an additional minute and only entering the game at the next stoppage. However, goalkeepers and injury substitutes are exempt from this rule. Based on data from the 2023 MLS Next Pro season, where over 3,200 substitutions took place, only 10 substitutions received the one-minute penalty. This rule aims to expedite the substitution process and minimize delays during gameplay.
While MLS introduced some adjustments to roster guidelines, none of these changes are expected to significantly impact the league or noticeably affect fans. These adjustments include reducing the number of players on Discovery lists from seven to five, allowing transfer fees from designated player transfers or loans to be used as general allocation money, and establishing stricter qualification criteria for domestic players. These rule modifications primarily serve administrative purposes and will not have a profound influence on competitive dynamics within the league.
MLS has faced growing collaboration with Liga MX, as evident in the expanded Leagues Cup. This has led to speculation about possible measures to enhance the competitiveness of MLS teams against their Liga MX counterparts. However, Commissioner Don Garber stated that no immediate steps would be taken in this regard. He emphasized the continued success of existing strategic initiatives and suggested that streamlining the rules may be a consideration in the future. Garber believes that as MLS attracts more international soccer fans and clubs without these restrictions, a new direction may arise to further improve the league’s competitiveness.
MLS also made some smaller adjustments to certain rules. From now on, stoppage time will be displayed in the stadiums, providing greater transparency for fans. Additionally, referees will announce VAR decisions, bringing clarity to the decision-making process. Lastly, when opposing players simultaneously suffer head injuries requiring off-field treatment, they will return to play at the same time, minimizing further interruptions to the game.
With the 2024 MLS season fast approaching, the league has announced several new rule changes to enhance the flow and efficiency of gameplay. The off-field treatment rule aims to ensure prompt medical attention while minimizing disruptions, while the timed substitution rule seeks to expedite player substitutions. Although there were some minor updates to roster guidelines, no significant changes were made that would noticeably impact the league or its fans. Looking ahead, MLS may consider further streamlining its rules to maximize competitiveness and attract more viewers from around the world.