How we doing folks?

One week closer to MLS returning. And wow, what an insane week of transfers across the sport! Let’s get to it.

• 🔄 MLS Updates

• 🇺🇸 Yanks Abroad Update

• 🇺🇸 USMNT Midfielder Pool

• 🟡 The Case for the Crew

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

MLS Updates

For the first time in league history, we had teams use the new Cash-for-Player Trade (i.e. transfer fees).

The Houston Dynamo has acquired Jack McGlynn from the Union for $2M+ in cash and a 50% sell-on clause. That sell-on clause is a huge component of this. If McGlynn continues to develop he’ll likely see a much larger move to Europe that the Union will be compensated nicely for. McGlynn wasn’t a fit under Bradley Carnell’s new system and I think this move is a sign that Cavan Sullivan will get real playing time this season. Houston gets a ball-playing #8 who will step right in to replace Hector Herrera.

Sporting KC has acquired Dejan Joveljic from the LA Galaxy for $4M in cash. The move isn’t surprising for the Galaxy. Joveljic was coming into the last year of his deal, he’s a DP-caliber player but they already have Pec, Paintsil, and Puig occupying their three DP spots for the foreseeable future. So it’s either you sell Joveljic now or let him leave for free next offseason. For Sporting KC, they add another striker to their already deep center forward depth chart.

The Colorado Rapids have acquired Teddy Ku-DiPietro from DC United for $1.125M in cash plus $275k in add-ons. The Rapids add a talented young attacker and DC United looks like they could be Wooden Spoon bound.

Atlanta United have finally completed the signing of striker Emmanuel Latte Lath from Middlesbrough. The $22M fee is the biggest inbound transfer in league history. Atlanta has loaded up once again.

Orlando City has finalized a deal to sign Croatian winger Marco Pasalic for $5M plus add-ons from HNK Rijeka of the Croatian first division. Pasalic has 5 caps with the Croatian National team and will be a DP for Orlando. Here’s the type of player Orlando is getting 👀 👇️ 

Yanks Abroad Update

Why can’t we have nice things? Just days after talking up Ricardo Pepi as the best player in our striker pool, the 22-year-old injured his knee in PSV’s 3-2 Champions League win over Liverpool. Pepi actually scored the winning goal but left the match in the 76th minute with a serious knee injury and will be out a “very long time“, per PSV coach Peter Bosz. It’s absolutely devastating for a player who was in such good form and was rumored to have interest from Europe’s biggest clubs. Despite the injury, PSV signed him to a contract extension through 2030. Get well soon, Ricardo 🙏 

Antonee Robinson recorded his 10th assist this weekend, tying him for the record by a Fulham player in a single Premier League season. He’s a DEFENDER! Trent Alexander-Arnold holds the record for most assists by a defender in Premier League history with 13. Jedi has a legitimate shot at breaking that. I’m convinced when his career is done he’ll be considered one of the best players in USMNT history.

Brenden Aaronson scored his 8th goal of the season for Leeds who are atop the Championship table. All signs pointing to Aaronson being back in the Premier League next season.

Julian Eyestone is a name you likely haven’t heard of. He was the 18-year-old American Goalkeeper on the bench for English Premier League side Brentford over the weekend. A Duke graduate from Dallas Texas, Eyestone led Brentford B to a 12-game unbeaten streak before making the jump to the first team over the weekend. He’s one we’ll keep an eye on for you.

Chris Richards put in an incredible 90+ min shift against Manchester United, stifling Alejandro Garnacho multiple times. He had a game-high 9 duels won and led Crystal Palace to their third consecutive clean sheet against Man U. His performance landed him on the EPL team of the week!

Josh Sargent scored his second goal in as many games for Norwich City. He has 23 goals and 7 assists in his last 42 Championship appearances. He and Balogun will battle for the starting striker role with Pepi sidelined.

This layoff from Pepi 😍 😍 😍 

USMNT Midfield Pool

You all liked our piece on the USMNT striker pool last week. So next up is the midfielders, our deepest and most talented position.

The Cream of the Crop:

Christian Pulisic (26), Tyler Adams (25), Weston McKennie (26), Yunus Musah (22), Gio Reyna (22), Timothy Weah (24), Malik Tillman (22), Johhny Cardoso (23)

These players are the core of our team. Health aside, there’s almost no scenario where they aren’t on the World Cup squad. Outside of Gio Reyna, all are in good form playing at top clubs against the best competition. Gio has suffered due to injury, but he has a goal and an assist in this 5 game stretch since coming back, playing just over 140’ minutes in that period. Some may question Tyler Adams due to his long period of injury, but since coming back he has been nothing short of spectacular, and arguably one of the top defensive mid-options in the EPL. Prior to his injury last week, Malik Tillman had 7 goals and 1 assist in 18 appearances for PSV and has become a force in Europe. We’re hopeful he can continue this form when he returns from injury.

Contenders:

Tanner Tessman (23), Brenden Aaronson (24), Luca De La Torre (26)

This group is lobbying for the final few midfield positions. Luca De La Torre returns stateside on loan from Celta Vigo to lead San Diego FC in its inaugural season. Brenden Aaronson will likely return to the Premier League next season. And Tanner Tessman was recently voted USMNT Young Player of the Year and is playing in the top division in France for Lyon. Tessman and Aaronson will likely be on the World Cup squad.

Notable Others:

James Sands (24), Gianluca Busio (22), Aidan Morris (23), Paxten Aaronson (21), Diego Luna (21), Cade Cowell (21), Alejandro Zendejas (26), Jack McGlynn (21)

This group is mostly filled with young talent who still need to prove themselves at the club level to make a real case for the World Cup squad. Cult Hero Diego Luna recently won the respect of Pochettino and many others when he broke his nose, and upon returning, played the key through ball for the opening goal against Costa Rica. James Sands is someone to watch after his move abroad. He has two starts in five matches for Bundesliga side St. Pauli and registered a 7.1, 7.2, and 6.8 (per Fotmob) in his last three appearances.

The Case for the Crew

Look… it wasn’t a hard case to make but it just got a little harder.

The Crew have sold Cucho Hernandez to Real Betis for $16M plus add-ons. A BOMBSHELL deal. There were always rumors of a potential departure but those had cooled and contract talks were ongoing. Everything pointed to him staying and being an MVP candidate once again. But alas, it was always going to happen, it was just a matter of time. Cucho is headed to La Liga for a club record sale and it could get higher as the Crew retain a sell-on fee. He’ll now be playing in a top 5 league, priming him for a spot on Colombia’s World Cup squad.

Cucho leaves the Crew as one of the most accomplished players in club history. A MLS and Leagues Cup champion as well as a two-time Best XI winner, Cucho lifted the Crew to one of the best teams in the Americas.

Other than this it’s been a quiet offseason in Columbus. They already had all the pieces in place to go for another run at multiple Cups. And they will still be in contention. But the search for a new striker becomes priority number one. Nancy will figure it out, you can count on that.

Goal of the Week

A game-winner against Liverpool in the Champions League? Yes please.

Meme of the Week

🤷 

Quick Hits

• The official 2025 Club World Cup ball (Link)

• Leaked photos of the new Real Salt Lake away kit 🔥 🔥 (Link)

• Charlotte FC have rejected multiple bids from Championship clubs for Patrick Agyemang (Link)

• USMNT striker Jordan Pefok leaves Union Berlin and returns to Stade de Reims (Link)

• NY RedBulls sign Lewis Morgan to contract extension (Link)

• Watford sign USMNT international Caleb Wiley on loan from Chelsea (Link)

• MLS Season Pass now available for DirectTV and Xfinity users (Link)

• John Tolkin vs Bayern Munich highlights (Link)

• Sportico releases their MLS franchise valuations (Link)

We threw 1,501 words at you this week, our most ever. Is that too much? We know you guys like that we keep it relatively short. Give us some feedback below, please 🤙 

Max & Mason