This is how Sounders opened a roster spot for Raúl Ruidíaz

When the Seattle Sounders announced that Raúl Ruidíaz was signing with the club, their international roster spots were all technically full. They also did not have an open Designated Player spot. In a series of moves required by MLS’s byzantine rules, the club managed to add the Peru international to the gameday roster for their match against Atlanta United.

In no particular order: the Sounders used Targeted Allocation Money to buy down Osvaldo Alonso’s salary, so he is no longer a DP.

They also sent Felix Chenkam on loan to S2. This loan is not the type that allows a player to bounce between the two teams (like the one used by Calle Brown, Tony Alfaro and Henry Wingo to appear in Saturday’s S2 match), but rather a full-season loan that opens up the roster spot and international slot.

Raúl Ruidíaz is now a DP and able to play.

Seattle Sounders FC have an open senior roster spot, reserve spot, and enough TAM to sign players during the open transfer window.