MLS Off-season moves as of 1/6/17
Here is an off-season recap of all the big moves around MLS that occurred after the expansion draft up until January 6th:
Houston Dynamo: The Houston Dynamo have been pretty busy so far this MLS offseason. After finishing dead last in the West, the Houston management has decided to re-vamp the team a bit. First, the Dynamo have signed forward Romell Quioto from CD Olimpia in Honduras. In 96 games at Olimpia Quioto scored 38 goals and was a constant feature on the team. Quioto also has some international experience featuring in Honduras`s youth and senior national teams. The 25 year old should add some much needed talent in their attack. Next, the Dynamo have singed defender Adolfo Machado from Saprissa in Costa Rica. Machado is older at the age of 31 but adds much needed depth and experience to the Houston backline. Machado was a constant feature for Saprissa playing in over 100 games for the club since 2014. He was also a constant feature for Panama`s national team playing in 65 matches. He should fill in as an instant starter at centerback. Next, the Dynamo have signed forward Alberth Elis from Mexican club Monterrey (on loan). The Dynamo add a youth a talented forward to join the likes of Quioto, Manotas, and Cubo Torres. I am very excited to see him play in MLS. Speaking of Cubo Torres, Cruz Azul in Mexico has declined his contract option and he will be heading back to Houston in 2017. The Dynamo were also very active in the Re-entry Draft selecting former Seattle Sounder, Dylan Remick and former Galaxy player Leonardo. Both of those players add MLS experience and possible starting minutes to begin the season. The final move as of now is the loan signing of midfielder Juan David Cabezas from Independent Medellin in Columbia. I haven`t seen much from the Cabezas signing and I am intrigued to see how the 25 year old can impact the club.
Seattle Sounders: The Sounders have been decently busy since winning MLS Cup in December. First, the Sounders have traded away TAM and GAM to the Houston Dynamo for forward Will Bruin. Bruin is 27 and has made 178 appearances for the Dynamo since joining the league in 2011. Bruin will most likely come on as the replacement to Nelson Valdez and Sounder fans are hoping he can score at least one in the regular season. Next, the Sounders have traded away more GAM for midfielder Harry Shipp from the Montreal Impact. Shipp is 25 and had excitement around him as he headed for Montreal last offseason. But in 27 appearances he was only able to score two goals and not create that much around him. A change a scenery is needed for Shipp and Seattle might be that place. If he can replace Ivanschitz or Friberg in that midfield then the Sounders could be very good next season. Finally, the Sounders have selected goalkeeper Bryan Meredith from San Jose in the Re-Entry Draft. With Frei being the number one keeper in Seattle, Meredith will most likely be competing with youngster Tyler Miller for the backup spot.
Sporting Kansas City: Sporting Kansas City have made three moves so far this offseason. SKC has first signed rightback Igor Juliao from Brazilian club Fluminense. It is a loan deal with an option to buy. Juliao is young at the age of 22 and has bounced around on some loan deals. I am excited to see him come in and most likely backup Abdul-Salaam in Kansas City. The second move made by Kansas City was the selection of goal keeper Andrew Dykstra in the Re-Entry Draft. Dykstra will fight for the back-up keeper role behind Tim Melia. The third and final move by SKC was the signing of winger Gerso Fernandez from Belenenses. In 14 apperances for Belenenses he scored 1 goal. Fernandez is very fast and very capable of making players around him better. Last season SKC`s biggest downfall was having no help from star forward Dom Dwyer. Gerso comes in as someone who can create plays and make plays for Dwyer.
Real Salt Lake: Real Salt Lake have lost a lot of familiar MLS names this offseason. One of their familiar names that they lost was Jeff Attinella who was selected in the Expansion Draft by Minnesota and later traded to Portland. RSL have signed former NASL goalkeeper Matt Van Oekel to most likely back-up MLS legend Nick Rimando. Finally, RSL has signed midfielder Jose Hernandez to a Homegrown contract. Hernandez played last season at UCLA and due to his time with the RSL academy will become the 7th Homegrown signee in club history. RSL`s biggest signing of the offseason so far has been the signing of Albert Rusnak from FC Groningen in the Eredivisie. Rusnak is more of a playmaking midfielder who made over 60 appearances for Groningen between 2015-2017. He was most likely brought in to replace the loss of long time RSL midfielder, Javier Morales.
Portland Timbers: The Portland Timbers have made two signings so far this offseason after missing the playoffs. First, the Timbers have signed defensive midfielder David Guzman from Saprissa in Costa Rica. Guzman, 26, adds a defensive minded midfielder to the already solid midfield of Nagbe, Valeri, and Chara. The other move that the Timbers have made was trading for Minnesota United goalkeeper, Jeff Attinella. With the recent legal trouble of Jake Gleeson the Timbers could potentially be looking at another goalkeeping option. Even if Gleeson remains the number one option, Attinella is a very capable backup option.
San Jose Earthquakes: The San Jose Earthquakes have signed rightback Nick Lima to a homegrown contract. Lima, 22, is the second homegrown player signing in San Jose history. Lima played his college soccer at the University of California where he was viewed as the best rightback in the NCAA. I view Lima as a Brandon Vincent type player, who is capable of starting from day one. Second, the San Jose Earthquakes have selected Olmes Garcia in the Re-Entry Draft from Real Salt Lake. Garcia has made 100 plus appearances for RSL and could give San Jose some bench depth.
Atlanta United: Atlanta United have been extremely busy in this offseason. Atlanta has signed two MLS veterans in Jacob Peterson and Jeff Larentowicz who will give them some necessary MLS experience. Peterson had the best season of his career last season scoring 6 goals and 1 assist in 21 games played. Atlanta will be Peterson`s fourth MLS franchise. Larentowicz is a very capable midfielder who could come off the bench and give useful minutes. Next, Atlanta traded away Expansion Draft pick Clint Irwin back to his former team of Toronto FC for GAM and rightback Mark Bloom. Bloom gives Atlanta United a starting fullback who can play with MLS attacks. Next, Atlanta United traded away another Expansion Draft pick in Donny Toia to Orlando City SC for a Superdraft pick in this year's draft. Finally, Atlanta United have singed leftback Greg Garza on loan from Mexican team Club Tijuana. Atlanta is giving themselves a very capable and talented backline with Garza on the left, Bloom on the right, and Parkhurst in the middle.
Chicago Fire: The Chicago Fire have made two major moves this offseason by signing Nemanja Nikolic from Legia Warsaw in Poland and Juninho from Club Tijuana in Mexico. Nikolic is a extremely important signing for the Fire due to his performance last season. From 2015-2016, Nemanja scored 40 goals in 56 appearances. He is older at the age of 29 but he may finally give help to David Accam up top. The Juninho move is impressive itself even though it's a loan move. Juninho made over 100 appearances for the Galaxy and is now moving to a team making major changes in MLS.
LA Galaxy: The LA Galaxy will always have rumors surrounding them due to their name and money. The Galaxy have traded with the Colorado Rapids for the rights to Jermaine Jones. The Galaxy`s biggest need is the midfield. Jermaine Jones is old but 100% capable of playing in MLS still at a high level. I think the Galaxy should look for younger midfielders but I wouldn`t be mad about Jones signing with them.
Columbus Crew: The Columbus Crew have lost a lot of players on defense this offseason and with that a lot of experience. In order to replace these players the Crew needed to sign players to replace. First, the Crew have signed centerback Alex Crognale to a homegrown contract out of the University of Maryland. Crognale will most likely be used in a limited role as a developing player. Second, the Crew have selected defender Josh Williams in the Re-Entry draft. Williams played in Columbus from 2010-2014 and played last season with Toronto FC. Most recently the Crew signed centerback Jonathan Mensah from Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia. Mensah is a Ghanaian international who will greatly fill in at a centerback and designated player role.
DC United: Ortiz is a 24 year old Costa Rican forward who D.C. United have signed on loan from Herediano in Costa Rica. Ortiz is a very solid forward who will give United another scoring option aside from Patrick Mullins. United have an option to buy Ortiz after his loan deal.
FC Dallas: FC Dallas have made four major signings this offseason. First, FC Dallas has signed forward Roland Lamah from Ferencvarosi in Hungary. Lamah, 29, has had experience with major clubs such as Swansea City and Anderlecht. Second, FC Dallas has signed rightback Jose Salvatierra from Alajuelense in Costa Rica. He will fight for a starting role on the team or a solid backup role. Third, FC Dallas have signed Anibal Chala who plays leftback. Chala can play winger and could potentially attempt to replace Fabian Castillo. The fourth and final move by FC Dallas was the signing of former RSL midfielder Javier Morales. Morales is older but is still fully capable to fill in for the injured Mauro Diaz.
NYCFC: New York City FC have lost a few players this offseason including DP, Frank Lampard. The weakest part of NYCFC`s lineup was their goalkeeping. NYCFC have acquired goalkeeper Sean Johnson from Atlanta United who has made over 170 appearances for the Chicago Fire. Johnson adds a major boost over Josh Saunders.
Orlando City: Orlando has quietly made some very good moves so far this MLS offseason. First, OC has selected goalkeeper Patrick McClain in the first round of the Re-Entry draft. McClain played last season with the Chicago Fire. The obvious starting keeper in Orlando is Joe Bendik and it will be interesting to see if McClain can win the backup job over the young Earl Edwards Jr. Next, Orlando City has signed centerback Jose Aja to a permanent deal. Aja came over to Orlando City last season on a loan deal but OC has decided to buy the young defender Uruguay. Aja is a major boost at centerback for Orlando and looks like he will pair up with Tommy Redding on their backline. Third, OC has traded for leftback Donny Toia. Toia is a starting caliber talent in MLS and I`m guessing he will push Brek Shea up into the winger position. Next, I am very excited that Orlando City has signed defensive midfielder Will Johnson. As I said in my first ever podcast in order to win in MLS you need a good defensive midfielder. Will Johnson is a very good defensive midfielder and will help that very young backline. Finally, Orlando City have signed leftback Victor Giro. Giro played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the NASL last season. The 22 year old Brazilian most likely won`t see too many minutes but I am interested in how he adapts to MLS.
Whiteaps: The Whitecaps have made one move so far this offseason. They have traded for former Houston Dynamo and Philadelphia Union rightback Sheanon Williams. In my opinion Williams comes right in as the team's starting rightback. He has plenty of MLS experience and is a capable rightback in a league where there aren`t too many quality rightbacks.
Minnesota United: Minnesota has been very slow signing players so far this offseason compared to their expansion team counterpart of Atlanta United. In their recent moves Minnesota has signed centerback Fransisco Calvo from Saprissa in Costa Rica. From 2015-2016 Calvo made over 60 appearances for Saprissa and 17 appearances for the Costa Rican national team. He is most likely going to be a starting centerback for Minnesota. Next, Minnesota United traded for D.C. United midfielder Collin Martin. Martin is a youth player that had a lot of excitement around him. He hasn`t really progressed that much so if I`m a Minnesota United fan I`m hoping that Adrian Heath can work his youth magic. Next, Minnesota United have signed midfielder Miguel Ibarra from Club Leon in Mexico. Ibarra only made 8 appearances for Leon scoring 1 goal. But before Leon, Ibarra made 90 appearances with Minnesota United`s NASL team. Ibarra was a fan favorite in his NASL days and I`m sure that will continue. Finally, Minnesota signed Ibarra`s NASL partner in crime, Christian Ramirez. Ramirez was last NASL season`s golden boot winner and was arguably the best forward in the league. Ramirez scored 51 goals in total for Minnesota`s NASL team and at the age of 25 I expect many more from him during the clubs time in MLS.
Philadelphia Union: The Union haven`t been too active this offseason but they did however make one interesting move. The Union have signed Dutch leftback Giliano Wijnaldum. Wijnaldum most recently played for VFL Bochum in Germany`s second division. I expect big things from him in a few years but I do believe that Fabinho remains the Union`s starter next year. Wijnaldum is the younger brother of Liverpool midfielder, Georginio Wijnaldum.
