Colorado Rapids Save Millions Signing Israeli Forward Saeed Abu Farhi Using MLS Age Rule

Colorado Rapids have finalized the signing of 20-year-old Israeli forward Saeed Abu Farhi from Maccabi Tel Aviv, with today's match likely his last for the Israeli club. The MLS team is excited about the acquisition, not only for his professional potential but also due to a unique MLS salary rule that allows significant financial savings. Under MLS regulations, teams can sign designated players regardless of transfer fees, but players under 22 years old do not count fully against the salary cap. Despite Abu Farhi's high salary, he is counted as earning only $150,000 against the cap, enabling the Rapids to sign a high-profile player while saving approximately $2.1 million annually under the salary cap.

This approach allows Colorado Rapids to benefit from signing a top-tier talent who will be the club's second-largest signing ever, while managing their salary budget efficiently. The club previously used the same strategy to sign 21-year-old Pakistan Aronson, their biggest signing to date. Abu Farhi's transfer exemplifies how MLS teams leverage league rules to acquire promising young players without breaching salary restrictions.