Morning footy friends,

We’re now up to 3,924 readers! Only a month to go till MLS is back. So much to get to, have at it…

• 🔁 MLS Moves

• 🇺🇸 USA vs Venezuela

• 🇺🇸 Yanks Abroad

• 🟢 The Case for Austin FC

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

More MLS Moves

It’s been the busiest offseason I can ever remember. So many teams are making ambitious moves to improve their squads. I love how quickly this league is improving. Here’s what happened over the past week:

San Diego FC has signed Danish international Anders Dreyer from Anderlecht for $5M + $500k of potential add-ons. The 26-year-old winger will be a DP for the expansion club. There’s still plenty of work to do but this roster is slowly coming together nicely. And they aren’t done. They are holding a ‘Major Press Conference’ today to announce something as well 👀 

The Chicago Fire have acquired winger Jonathan Bamba from La Liga club Celta de Vigo for ~$2M. The 28 year old will sign through 2027 with an option for 2028 and will be a DP. The Fire were also reportedly one of three MLS teams who were in active talks with Neymar but it’s been reported that the Brazilian star will return to his hometown club Santos.

LAFC have sold Mateusz Bogusz to Cruz Azul for $9M. Although Bogusz will be tough to replace there was no way LAFC was turning down this deal. They acquired him in 2023 from Leeds United for just over $1M and now turn him for a hefty profit. Great business for the Black and Gold.

The Columbus Crew have been quiet all offseason but we finally get an update on the Cucho situation. Tom Bogert reported yesterday their superstar wants to stay at the club and wants a new contract but the club hasn’t made an offer.

Charlotte FC is adding more firepower to their already talented attack. They’ve acquired Wilfried Zaha on loan from Galatasaray through 2025 with an option to extend for six months. The 32-year-old winger who spent 9 seasons in the Premier League with Crystal Palace will be a DP.

We always knew Atlanta United was going to spend big this offseason. But they’ve gone out and broken the MLS transfer fee record with the $20M signing of Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough. The 26-year-old Ivorian Coast striker is a brilliant goal scorer and will immediately contend for the golden boot award.

Atlanta is also closing in on a deal to bring back Miguel Almiron from Newcastle United for around $10M. The club's first ever DP will return to the Five Stripes where he was named Best XI in both his seasons with the club from 2017-18.

USMNT vs Venezuela

The USMNT beat Venezuela 3-1 for their fourth win in the Pochettino era. The starting lineup was an interesting mix of MLS players, eight of which were getting their first USMNT cap.

The USMNT got off to a good start when Patrick Agyemang drew a penalty in the second minute. But Matko Miljevic stepped up and proceeded to take an egregious penalty that was easily saved. Many were wondering how Miljevic got the start over Diego Luna, let alone even made it on the squad. The former CF Montreal man had his contract terminated after he played in an amateur league under a fake identity and got in a fight. He then went to Newell’s Old Boys in Argentina where he also had his contract terminated for poor behavior. It seems like Pochettino was doing him a favor and trying to revive his career by giving him the start. He ended up making up for it by scoring the third goal of the game.

Jack McGlynn scored an ABSOLUTE BANGER for his first goal for the USMNT (scroll down). McGlynn was fantastic all game, consistently making passes that broke lines and led to dangerous chances. Union fans are going to hate this but I hope he makes a move to Europe soon. At only 21 years old, if he continues to quickly develop he will absolutely have a chance to be a part of the World Cup squad.

Two minutes later Patrick Agyemang scored his first goal in his first cap for the USMNT. The big Charlotte FC man was giving the Venezuela backline fits for the entire 65 minutes he was on the pitch. We’ll be closely watching Agyemang’s development in MLS as he looks to become a potential option at striker for the US.

They’ll face Costa Rica tonight (Wednesday at 7pm ET) in Orlando.

Yanks Abroad

A lighter week from the Americans abroad…

Tyler Adams was phenomenal in Bournemouth’s 4-1 against Newcastle, helping them to 6th place in the Premier League. With 3 tackles, 4 clearances, 2 interceptions, 5 duels won, and an assist, he was making his presence known everywhere on the pitch. He now leads the English Premier League in tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes. This is the type of tackle we love to see him make.

Malik Tillman suffered a serious ankle injury and is expected to miss significant time. We’re hopeful the scans will come back in his favor this week.

Defensive midfielder Leonard Maloney joins 6th-place Bundesliga team FSV Mainz from Heidenheim for $1 million. His contract is until 2028. This is a good step up for Maloney who has gone from the bottom of the Bundesliga to the top 6. Although he only has 2 caps for the US, he is one to watch in the coming year as we narrow down our midfield options for the World Cup.

Tim Weah scored another brilliant goal. It’s only January and he already has his most goal contributions (9) in a single season. He’s been linked with a possible transfer to Everton in this January window, which would be a massive move to the EPL.

The Case for Austin FC

Last week we wrote about San Jose, this week it’s Austin FC. If the three year streak of a team missing the playoffs and then winning the MLS Cup the following year were to continue, Austin would be my pick.

They’ve added a ton of talent this offseason while breaking their club record transfer fee three times in the span of six months. Will it all mesh in time or will the new coach and new stars take time to hit their form? We shall see.

The sale of Sebastian Driussi to River Plate was a good move for both club and player. Driussi wanted to return to Argentina and for Austin was ecstatic to get $10M for him. The acquisition of Brandon Vazquez for $10M was a little pricey but he’s a proven #9 with MLS goal scoring experience who will immediately elevate this team. And now they’ve agreed to a $12M deal to sign Albanian forward Myrto Uzuni from Spanish second division side Granada. Add in Osman Burkari and you’ve got yourself one of the most expensive attacks in MLS.

The new midfield pieces of Ilie Sanchez and Besard Sabovic will bring some much needed experience as well. It’s an offseason that 90% of MLS teams would be jealous of. But again, with so many new pieces it may take time to gel.

Nico Estevez has his work cut out for him but there will be no shortage of talent in Austin to make it all come together.

Goal of the Week

I’ve watched this goal 10 times.

Meme of the Week

Tyler Adams vs Newcastle’s midfield 🤣 

Quick Hits

• Bad Bunny is trying to bring a USL team to Puerto Rico (Link)

• Messi scores the first goal of the preseason (Link)

• Naomi Girma becomes first woman with a transfer fee for over $1M (Link)

• NY Red Bulls sell John Tolkien to Holstein Kiel for $3M (Link)

• Alyssa Naeher names US Soccer Female Player of the Year (Link)

• 9 of the 10 most valuable players playing for Concacaf clubs are in MLS (Link)

Thanks for reading and please give us some feedback below 👊 

Max & Mason