Another transfer window has slammed shut, and Major League Soccer has once again been changed. From July 18 to August 14, teams across the league were making moves, bringing new faces in and sending familiar names packing. It’s not a totally different world out there, but it’s certainly not the same one we left after our last MLS game in July.
Before we get too far in, let me clarify something. MLS has two transfer windows per season: an approximately three-month window during the offseason that stretches into the start of the season, and a month-long window in the summer that more closely lines up with the European transfer window. That means that players can be signed and added to rosters during two clear windows and no other time, regardless of whether they come from another MLS team or another league altogether. The summer window allows teams to more easily do business with foreign clubs, while the existence of multiple windows gives clubs plenty of opportunity to reshape their teams relatively quickly.
I’ve spent the last few days looking through all of the transfers that have been announced, and I’ve picked out the five comings and goings that intrigued me the most. I don’t like all of these moves, mind you, but they all caught my attention. This is a bit of an unorthodox edition of Know Your League, but just stay with me; it’s worth it. Transfer talk is fun!
Would You Look at That?
First, a reminder of MNUFC’s business. Your Loons have made plenty of changes of their own, adding five players this window—six if you count the addition of Samuel Shashoua before the window opened. DP Kelvin Yeboah, Matus Kmet, Jefferson Diaz, Joaquín Pereyra, and Anthony Markanich will all be donning our beloved Black and Blue before too long; welcome, all! But, as you know, MNUFC was not the only team that was active in the transfer window. Here we go, the five most intriguing storylines from this window:
1. Olivier Giroud to LAFC
Okay, don’t hate me. I know he’s 37, and I know we’re tired of players using MLS as a “retirement league,” but Olivier Giroud is special, guys. France’s all-time leading goalscorer (for now) has produced some of the most exciting moments in world soccer across his career, from scorpion kicks to scissor kicks and seemingly everything in between. He caught the world’s attention in Ligue 1 with Montpellier, then made his name in the Premier League with some fantastic years under Arsene Wenger at Arsenal. He’s class on grass, and his skill set is one that relies more on technique than physicality. If he’s locked in, it’s going to be a privilege to watch.
2. Reus FINALLY Signs with Galaxy
Another golden oldie makes the list. Maybe he deserves to be number one, but the saga dragged on, and I felt no surprise when it happened. So, I’ve bumped Marco down to number two; sue me. For those unfamiliar with Marco Reus, he’s a German soccer legend in his own unique way. An injury-laden career kept him from achieving much for his national team, but 12 years at Borussia Dortmund saw him earn Bundesliga Player of the Season three times (2011-12, 2013-14, 2018-19) and two UEFA Champions League Final appearances. Dortmund didn’t win a lot of trophies in his tenure, but they were competitive more often than not, and Reus was the talisman that kept fans in the Yellow Wall dreaming through this tough stretch. Now, with most of his career behind him, he turns his attention to one of our league's most well-known clubs.
The Galaxy are back to their best selves this season, as Gabriel Pec, Joseph Paintsil, and Riqui Puig have been absolutely electric in 2024. They’re currently top of the Western Conference, and even without any signings this window, they would be among my picks to hold that spot come season’s end. Now, with a player as decorated and talented as Marco Reus joining the fold, they’ve got a little extra oomph behind them for the home stretch. With how good the team has been playing, there will be little to no pressure on Reus to come in and change the team. Instead, he can relax, ease in, and contribute without worrying about being the missing piece of the puzzle. Savvy business, and a good fit for everyone involved.
3. Charlotte (Almost) Went Big
The best part of the transfer window? The rumors! The kind people over at Charlotte FC gave us plenty to talk about, and while plenty of rumors fell flat, they didn’t come out empty-handed. Rumblings of an MLS return for Newcastle’s Miguel Almiron nearly sent the Charlotte and Atlanta fans into a frenzy, while talk of Tottenham and Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso set the internet alight for a few days. In the end, USMNT veteran and Fulham stalwart Tim Ream ended up being the Crown’s biggest signing, and that’s not too shabby. Ream’s career has seen his game age like fine wine; regardless of his age, he makes this team better.
4. No More Shaqiri in Chicago
I prefer player signings to player departures, but this one is too crazy to ignore. Obviously, Xherdan Shaqiri’s time in Chicago hasn’t gone exactly to plan. The Swiss star hasn’t led the team to a miraculous turnaround, and though he managed 16 goals and 20 assists in his 75 matches for the club, he didn’t bring that patented Shaqiri magic that we’ve seen on the biggest stages in the sport. The experiment ended with a mutual contract termination, and Chicago is once again left with very little to inspire hope in their fanbase. I’m guessing we’ll see another big transfer window from the Fire in the offseason, and boy, do they need one.
5. RSL Changing Things Up
I don’t think many people expected RSL to be as good as they have been this season, and that’s no slight on their roster. The talent and possibility were there all along, but to see it play out as it has has been a bit unbelievable. Chicho Arango has been better than ever, and the supporting cast has been anything but quiet. Naturally, this kind of performance turns heads, and for Andres Gomez, it seems that the attention has resulted in a move.
The 21-year-old Colombian winger has 13 goals and 7 assists in 23 games, and though it isn’t official yet, it looks like he’s off to join Stade Rennes of Ligue 1. Congratulations to him, but what does that mean for the RSL miracle we’ve been witnessing? Don’t worry, they’ve already got it covered. Portuguese winger Diogo Goncalves has joined the Claret and Cobalt from FC Copenhagen, bringing European pedigree and, somehow, offering a potential upgrade in a position that the club already had one of the best options in the league. They’re cooking right now in Salt Lake City.
Honorable Mentions
I pared down my honorable mentions list significantly to save you—and I—a whole lot of time. It’s still as long as my main list, but I’ll spare you some of the details and opinions and just lay out the facts for these moves, if that’s alright with you.
- Dejuan Jones was traded to the Columbus Crew from New England.
- NYRB added a new DP in Gremio’s Felipe Carballo.
- Brazilian club Corinthians sign a pair of MLS players: Jose Martinez leaves Philly, Talles Magno joins on loan.
- Moise Bombito set for potential move to OGC Nice of Ligue 1.
- Nicholas Gioacchini joined FC Cincinnati on loan from Como 1907 in Serie A.
While the window has closed and no new deals can be struck, that doesn’t mean everything has been announced just yet. Some of these outbound deals aren’t officially done yet, but they’ve added to the excitement of the transfer window nonetheless. Some might fall through, and that would make me look kind of incompetent. There will undoubtedly be late announcements of huge last-minute deals that come out, just to make it look like I missed something obvious. Regardless of how perfectly accurate this ends up being, I beg of you, don’t hold the craziness of the transfer window against me. Just enjoy the rumors, the intrigue, the—dare I say it—gossip. Until next window, my friends!
