MLS: A to Z

C is for Cap, Salary. Each team in MLS has a salary cap, but there are ways to circumvent the cap that are outlined in other letters of the A-to-Z. The cap in 2016 was $3.66 million and is $3.845 million this season.

D is for Designated Player. These are the players whose salaries exceed $480,625 (toward the salary cap) if he starts to play at the beginning of the 2017 season. There are also rules for Young Designated Players (23 or younger). The hit on the salary cap for these players was $200,000 for players ages 21-23, and $150,000 for 20 and younger in 2016. The DP rule was implemented in 2007 so that Los Angeles could sign David Beckham. Each team is allowed to sign as many as three Designated Players.

E is for Eastern Conference. There are 11 teams in this group: Atlanta United, Chicago Fire, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, Montreal Impact, New England Revolution, New York City FC, New York Red Bulls, Orlando City, Philadelphia Union and Toronto FC.

F is for Friendlies. Another term for an exhibition game.

G is for Garber, Don. He is the commissioner of the league, a job he has held since 1999.

H is for Homegrown Players. These are players who are signed by MLS teams after they come up through that team's academy. Teams can sign as many as they want each year. It is the equivalent of a farm system. Atlanta United has two Homegrown Players as of Feb. 24: Andrew Carleton of Powder Springs and Chris Goslin of Locust Grove.

I is for International. Each team starts with eight slots available to sign international players. They don't have to be used. They are also tradeable. Atlanta United had 13 international players, as of Feb. 24.

J is for Jersey sponsors. MLS was the first of the big-five professional sports leagues to allow sponsors on the front of its jerseys. Other leagues are starting to follow. The contract details on the agreements are seldom disclosed, but LA Galaxy's deal with Herbalife reportedly was worth $4.4 million per year. Atlanta United is sponsored by American Family Insurance.

K is for Kit. A soccer jersey, shorts and socks is called a kit. Get used to it.

L is for Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. This is an annual tournament played during the MLS season that features teams from all divisions of soccer in the U.S. Ninety-one teams participated last season. Dallas won the tournament. The event started in 1914.

M is for MLS Cup. This decides the champion of MLS. It is a one-game finale. Seattle defeated Toronto to win its first title. Los Angeles (five) has won the most.

N is for National teams. Players will compete not only for their MLS club, but may get called up to play for their nation's team. For example, Atlanta United fullback Greg Garza was called up to play for the U.S. national team in two friendlies earlier this year. In September last year, more than 60 players were called up to national teams for friendlies and different tournaments.

O is for Orlando City. This club likely will be considered Atlanta United's rival because it is the closest geographically. It has played two seasons, failing to make the playoffs in either. It is opening a new stadium this season.

P is for Playoffs. The MLS playoffs consists of 12 teams, six from the Eastern Conference and six from the Western Conference. Philadelphia was the last team to qualify in the East, with 42 points (see Z is for zero). Real Salt Lake was the last in the West, with 46 points. That will give you an idea of the points Atlanta United will need to potentially make it to the postseason.

Q is for Quality. The quality of the play in MLS is a constant debate. Thought it can't yet match the world's best leagues such as in England, Spain, Italy and Germany, it is improving incrementally each year. However, its average attendance of 21,692 per game put it sixth in the world's leagues behind the German Bundesliga, England's Premier League, Spain's La Liga, Mexico's Liga MX and the Chinese Super League, according to ESPN. Atlanta United has surpassed 27,000 season tickets sold.

R is Replay. The league will use Video Assistant Referees this season to aid the on-field officials. It will be tested in the preseason. If successful, it could be implemented in the second half of this season.

S is for SuperDraft. The SuperDraft is held each January and consists of four rounds. Players who have graduated college or signed with the league are eligible. In terms of finding players who are expected to make an immediate impact, it more closely resembles the MLB draft than the NFL draft.

T is for Transfer. A transfer is when a player has been bought by one club from another club. There are different types of transfers. A traditional transfer is when the buying club agrees to compensate the selling club by paying an agreed-upon amount of money. Additionally, the buying club typically has to negotiate a new contract with the player. There are also free transfers in which a buying club needs only to negotiate a contract with a player whose club is giving him away. There are also loans with options to buy. Atlanta United has a few of those in Garza, Yamil Asad and Josef Martinez.

U is for USL. The USL and the NASL this season are considered second-division leagues by the United States Soccer Federation. Many MLS clubs have affiliations with USL clubs that allow them to send to players who need playing time, or to finish rehabbing an injury. It could be considered the same as a minor-league affiliate in baseball. Atlanta United's USL affiliate is Charleston, S.C.

V is for Vancouver. It would be the longest road trip for Atlanta United this season at a distance of more than 2,800 miles if you were to drive. Orlando is the closest at almost 450 miles.

W is for Western Conference. There are 11 teams in this group: Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, LA Galaxy, Minnesota United, Portland Timbers, Real Salt Lake, San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders, Sporting Kansas City and Vancouver Whitecaps.

X is for Expansion. The league wants to reach 28 teams by 2024. Twelve cities put in applications for the final four slots. They were Sacramento, San Diego, Phoenix, Detroit, Indianapolis, St. Louis, Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Nashville, San Antonio, Raleigh, Cincinnati and Charlotte. Los Angeles FC is set to begin play next year as franchise No. 23. Miami is earmarked for No. 24, but no announcement has come from the league.

Y is for Yellow cards. A yellow card is given typically when a player is more aggressive than necessary. Two yellow cards equal a red card and the player is sent off, reducing his team to 10 men on the field. D.C. United's Marcelo Sarvas led the league 11 yellow cards last season.

Z is for Zero. Teams get zero points for a loss, one for a tie and three for a victory.