Happy New Year folks,

T-minus 51 days until MLS is back. It’s going to be an incredible year of soccer. And we’re going to keep you updated on everything each week.

• 👀 MLS Updates

• 🇺🇸 Americans Abroad

• 🏆️ MLS to Copa Libertadores

• ⚽️ Goal of the Week

• 😂 Meme of the Week

MLS Updates

We’ve entered the dull part of the offseason. Some teams begin training camp in two weeks though! Here’s what’s happened over the past week.

FC Dallas make a massive move and trade for Jesus Ferreira from FC Dallas. Dallas will receive $2M GAM, an international roster spot, and winger Leo Chu. Seattle gets exactly what they needed, a 24 year-old in prime goal scorer. Ferreira had wanted to go to Europe but will stay in MLS and sign a new deal with Seattle.

Dallas also have acquired Shaq Moore from Nashville SC for $50k in GAM that could become $150k if certain performance metrics are met. The USMNT defender and former Dallas youth academy product returns home and will immediately slot into the right-back role.

DC United are selling 19-year-old Matai Akinmboni to AFC Bournemouth for up to $2.5M based on incentives. The big defender will join Tyler Adams in the Premier League. DC United are retaining a percentage of any future sale of his as well.

NYCFC have agreed to a deal with Pascal Jansen to become their next head coach. The Dutchman is leaving the helm at Ferencvaros in Hungary and signing a four year contract with the Cityzens. He previously led AZ Alkmaar of the Eredivisie to a 96W-24D-42L across all competitions. NYCFC also announced they’re loaning James Sands to Bundesliga side St. Pauli.

Austin FC have signed midfielder Ilie Sanchez to a one year deal. The two-time all-star and 8-year MLS veteran will be an immediate starter for Nico Estevez’s new look Austin squad. They are also in advanced talks to acquire Brandon Vazquez from Monterrey. San Jose and San Diego were rumored to be interested as well but it looks likely Vazquez will return to MLS with Austin.

LA Galaxy are adding more talent to their Championship squad. Reports that they’ve signed Igor Jesus from Estrela Amadora in Portugal for $4M. The central midfielder will slot into a starting role with Riqui Puig sidelined for the majority of the season.

LAFC are signing Norwegian international Odin Thiago Holm from Celtic on loan. The central midfielder only played 24 minutes with Celtic in 2024 so he’ll arrive in LA with plenty of room for minutes with a LAFC midfield that lost Eduard Atuesta and potentially Lewis O’Brien.

Inter Miami have signed free agent Fafa Picault. The left-winger had 9g/5a in 1,675 minutes for Vancouver this season. Austin FC was also in advanced talks with him but Picault preferred to be close to family as he’s from the Miami area.

San Diego FC have signed 16 year-old forward Anisse Saidi from the Philadelphia Union youth academy. Saidi scored 20 goals last season and is one of the best young strikers in the country. He’s a US and Tunisian international who has appeared for youth teams with both countries. San Diego will likely loan him to a USL team or FC Nordsjaelland as they don’t have a reserve team and he’s not quite ready for MLS play. Here’s a little peak into what San Diego is getting:

American’s Abroad

You’re weekly USMNT check in on the fellas in Europe…

Antonee Robinson continues to prove he’s one of the best left-backs in the world. He had his 7th assist of the season in Fulham’s 2-2 tie against Bournemouth on Sunday. He now has the third most assists in the Premier League this year (7) and is the only defender in the top 10. This was his 10th assist in the 2024 calendar year, making him the 8th defender in Premier League history to have double-digit assists in a calendar year. You could make the argument that Robinson has surpassed Pulisic as the best American soccer player right now — he’s playing that good.

AC Milan have fired manager Paulo Fonseca and replaced him with Sergio Conceicao. Conceicao becomes the 12th manager of Christian Pulisic’s professional career. Insane given he’s just 26 years old. Pulisic returned to training with Milan and may be available for the Italian Supercup vs Juventus on Friday.

Leeds will likely be back in the Premier League next season. That’s wonderful news for Brenden Aaronson who scored the winner to beat Derby County last weekend. Leeds manager Daniel Farke said of the goal, “For me the goal of the season, unbelievable. I put it straight away into my poetry album and this on such a difficult pitch. A perfect team move, Brenden with a perfect calm finish.”

MLS to Copa Libertadores Rumors

CONMEBOL, the football governing body of South America, is reportedly considering inviting Liga MX and MLS clubs to Copa Libertadores in 2027. The tournament is the Champions League of South America and had previously invited Liga MX teams but MLS teams have never participated in it.

The reports are that they plan to change the tournament format to match the new EUFA Champions League format and invite three teams from both MLS and Liga MX. There is no doubt that Messi’s influence played a role in this. It would be the first time the legendary Argentine participates in the tournament in his career.

If MLS is too expand into yet another competition it further stresses the need to loosen roster rules and spending restraints so teams can field competitive squads throughout all the tournaments.

It would be awesome for the best MLS clubs to play the elite teams of Brazil and Argentina in hostel road environments.

Goal of the Week

Yes… we’re bringing you a MASL free kick golazo this week!

Meme of the Week

LOL

Quick Hits

• Christian Pulisic makes WhoScored 2024 Serie A Team of the Year (Link)

• Rumors that AC Milan are considering a move for Gio Reyna (Link)

• Premier League clubs are interested in FC Dallas forward Petar Musa (Link)

• Famous MLS referee Ted Unkel retires (Link)

• Gaga Slonina ends loan and returns to Chelsea to continue rehab (Link)

Alright we’re out. See you next week ✌️ 

Max & Mason