since 2007, major league soccer has taken steps to raise the league's level of play and to internationalize the league. among the first moves in this regard was the designated player rule, which helped mls bring international stars into the league, despite the relatively meager mls salary cap, and the creation of the superliga, which placed top mls clubs against top mexican clubs in an effort to provide more meaningful competition for both leagues. mls changed the rules regarding foreign players in the league to allow a total of eight per team. this period also saw expansion reach beyond the united states' borders into canada, beginning with toronto fc.