On Monday, MLS owners will hear final presentations from LAFC co-owner Larry Berg and former Fox executive David Nathanson before an expected vote on who will be the league’s next commissioner.It’s a crucial moment for the league looking to take the next step as Don Garber, whose leadership saved MLS from folding in the 2000s and oversaw the league’s growth to 30 clubs, winds down his tenure in charge.Whichever finalist emerges as the owners’ choice has a few key decisions in the short- and medium-term future.Here’s what’s atop my wish list for the league’s next commissioner:Big roster rule changes by next summerThis is the most crucial, as it drives future media rights value and raises the seriousness of the league around the world.The proposal being discussed, as first reported by The Athletic, is the correct framework. It turns to a more open salary cap structure with a floor and ceiling while maintaining the designated player spots. This allows teams to spend more freely and build rosters with as much autonomy as possible.The rule changes would aid MLS competing against Liga MX gigantes in Concacaf Champions Cup. It would help teams bring in a new profile of player more easily: namely those signed in the range of a $5 million fee and $1 million salary. Think in-prime center backs, defensive midfielders. The type of player that Tigres, Club America and Monterrey all have in abundance. Previously, a player like this would need to be a low-end DP, keeping teams from maximizing their rosters.My one other focus would be removing academy territory and homegrown restrictions on the salary cap. Sign more players, remove any hurdles to playing those players. Also, any extension for a homegrown player until he reaches a certain threshold (maybe like age 26 or a monetary value) shouldn’t hit the cap. Teams investing in the academy and developing players should have more first-team advantages.Next media rights dealThere’s an argument that this is the most important task for the next commissioner. The league’s media rights deal with Apple TV ends in the summer of 2029. That’s plenty of time for the league to plot how it wants to move forward.Will MLS go for another streamer? The case for would be more money and a deal aligned with the present and future media consumption. The downside is lack of visibility and worry about shoulder content around the games themselves. It’s easy to get lost.Will MLS go back to traditional TV broadcasts? The case for is more visibility and prestige, plus all of the major broadcasters have a streaming option. The downside is lack of money on offer and, like in the past, worry about shoulder content around the games themselves.This will become a major story as the summer of 2029 gets closer, and plenty can change in the media rights ecosystem by then.All MLS teams in U.S. Open CupA quick and easy one: All MLS clubs should be in the U.S. Open Cup. If teams need to use mostly their academy graduates and reserves in the early rounds because of fixture congestion, well, so be it.An expanded Leagues Cup and unnecessarily long playoff structure (why is round one best of three?) are not adequate reasons to have teams miss a competition with real history. It’s frustrating this has to be addressed.Carving out a place in Copa LibertadoresLogistically, this would be a bit of a nightmare. Contractually it would be too, given Concacaf would not want to reduce the importance or value of the Concacaf Champions Cup. But hopefully, one day, a handful of the best MLS and Liga MX teams can qualify for the Copa Libertadores, now South America’s continental club championship.This one is for sure the longest shot on the wishlist, and perhaps it never happens, despite CONMEBOL’s president being open to the idea. But the Copa Libertadores is the best competition in this hemisphere, and while sporting merit is what I care most about, let’s not be naive: this would be financially beneficial for numerous parties which, unfortunately, is what matters most these days.Why MLS believe it can become an elite leaguePaul TenorioAs for the most notable happenings around MLS — plus transfer news and rumblings — from this weekend:Lewandowski shows out in his home debutAfter a pair of goalless games from Robert Lewandowski, Chicago Fire fans were certainly hoping to see more from the Polish legend in his home debut. He obliged, scoring his first two in MLS and sparking a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Charlotte FC.Just like that, the pressure and anticipation can subside.“That type of quality is hard to find,” Fire coach Gregg Berhalter said after the match. “When you look at the two goals he scored and some of the other plays he made in the game, it’s just very high quality. He’s dynamic, smart and clever. He sees the game and reads the game very well. Most importantly, in the box, he’s an absolute killer. This is hopefully the beginning of a lot of goals.”