Toronto FC raised the MLS Cup Saturday evening and less than twenty-four hours later, the MLS offseason got underway. First was the half-day trade window early Sunday.
DC United kicked things off by trading $75,000 in General Allocation Money and a 2018 International Slot to NYFC for veteran center back Frederic Brillant. DC’s 2017 turn-style defense and league worst negative 29 goal differential will no doubt be improved with the tall Frenchman in tow for 2018. Later Sunday, DC acquired Darren Mattocks from the Portland Timbers in exchange for an international roster spot this upcoming season. The speedy, aggressive Mattocks will give the lackluster DC offense a much needed boost.
Atlanta United FC made a huge splash this past weekend. They sent Minnesota United coach Adrian Heath’s son, Harrison, to Minnesota for a fourth round pick in 2019. Minnesota’s defense was lackluster to say the least, with a negative goal differential eclipsed only by DC. Heath will be counted on for back-up defensive midfield minutes. Atlanta then sent forward Kenwyne Jones and goalkeeper Alex Tambakis to Sporting Kansas City for midfield Kevin Oliveira and defender Tyler Pasher. These moves by Atlanta would free up over $500,000 and give them flexibility to trade for Darlington Nagbe on Tuesday. Portland received approximately $1.5 million from Atlanta in combined General and Targeted allocation money, along with a 2018 international roster slot. Nagbe’s addition to Atlanta’s high-powered offense will cause nightmares for the rest of the Eastern Conference.
New England sent Kei Kamara to the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for a first round 2019 draft pick and a conditional second round pick in 2020. This could be insurance in case Vancouver is unable to re-sign Freddy Montero. If they keep him, the addition of Kamara will make Vancouver a contender again for the top spot in the Western Conference.
The Chicago Fire sent midfielder Arturo Alvarez to the Houston Dynamo for a second round pick in the 2019 draft. I don’t agree with this move if Chicago is going for it all this season. With the now oft-injured Bastian Schweinsteiger who will turn 34 mid-season 2018 and who is still uncertain about playing again in the Windy City, and the departure of Alvarez, the veteran presence in the midfield will take a severe hit.
Sunday’s biggest move was made by LAFC, acquiring soon-to-be All-star and newly capped U.S. National team member, Walker Zimmerman from FC Dallas. LAFC also received the number eleven MLS allocation slot. In exchange, FC Dallas received the number one allocation slot, along with $250,000 General Allocation and $250,000 Targeted Allocation. LAFC then sent two players acquired in Tuesday’s expansion draft, Columbus Crew defender Jukka Raitala and Toronto FC defender/midfielder Raheem Edwards, to Montreal for veteran MLS All-Star and Belgian International Laurent Ciman. He, along with Zimmeran will make LAFC’s backline instantly formidable. Also in the Expansion draft, LAFC acquired Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Tyler Miller, Sporting Kansas City forward Latif Blessing, and San Jose Earthquakes forward Marco Ureña.
Wednesday’s Waiver Draft saw very little activity. San Jose fullback Kip Colvey joined the Colorado Rapids while the Montreal Impact obtained LA Galaxy goalkeeper Clement Diop to backup six-year starter Evan Bush.
Thursday’s most noteworthy transaction took place between NYCFC and Sporting Kansas City. NYCFC sent forward Khiry Shelton to SKC for right-back Saad Abdul-Salaam. This trade looks to be a win-win for both squads. Shleton has the potential to be a double-digit scorer with regular playing time and Abdul_Salaam adds to New York’s defensive depth on a club that has always been more offensive-minded.
Finally, in earth-shattering news, the Philadelphia Union brought back attacking mid-fielder, Eric Ayuk from Sweden, where he was on loan for the 2017 season. Not a game-changer and this one won’t bring back any season-ticket holders who have already jumped ship. In typical Union style, management is waiting to see what is left after the big boys make their moves. Their supporters have heard this story before.
Mandatory Credit: Derik Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
