Philadelphia Union trade Homegrown Jack McGlynn to Houston Dynamo in Player for Cash trade deal

With less than 3 weeks until the start of the 2025 MLS season, Philadelphia Union has traded homegrown midfielder Jack McGylnn to the 2023 U.S. Open Cup winners, Houston Dynamo.

Union signed McGlynn as a

player on August 17th, 2020, with McGlynn making his first-team debut against Miami in April of the 2021 season. During his 4 seasons with Philadelphia’s first team, McGlynn netted 7 goals and 13 assists in 99 total appearances for the Blue and Gold and logged over 2,300 MLS minutes in 2024 as a 20/21-year-old. McGlynn’s first MLS goal came back in 2022 when he dazzled the crowd with his signature left foot from a free-kick against none other than his brand new team, Houston Dynamo.

In addition to gradually becoming a more important player for Union season by season, McGlynn has developed his game on an international level, representing the United States at the U16, U20, U23, and at the 2024 Summer Olympics. McGlynn netted his first goal for the USMNT on January 18th, 2025, against Venezuela.

“We want to thank Jack for his dedication and contributions to the team, both on and off the field…Over the past three years, he has been a key part of our midfield, and we are incredibly proud of his growth. At this time, we believe this move is best for both the club and for Jack, allowing us to use the significant proceeds to reinvest and refine our roster, while placing him in an environment suited to his style of play and continued development. We have no doubt he’ll enjoy a successful career, and we look forward to following his journey.” – Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner

Mandatory Credit: Philadelphia Union

Details of the Deal

The deal gets done utilizing Major League Soccer’s newly instated ‘cash for player trade’ rule, and is the first Homegrown cash trade transaction since the rule was recently introduced. Union will send the 21-year-old USMNT midfielder out West in exchange for a guaranteed $2,100,000, an additional $1,300,000 if certain performance metrics are met, and a significant sell-on percentage, which is reportedly around 50%.

Additionally, it’s been reported by Jonathan Tannenwald at The Philadelphia Inquirer that both NYCFC and New York Red Bulls each hold 20% of Jack McGlynn’s rights as a result of Union breaking Homegrown Rules back in 2019. What that essentially means is when Houston eventually sells McGlynn (hopefully to Europe for a big fee), they’ll split that fee 50-50 with Philadelphia Union. Of that 50% they receive, Union will then have to turn around and give NYRBs and NYCFC each 20% of their split.

For conversation’s sake, let’s say Houston sells McGlynn to Ajax for $10 Million Dollars (I’m not suggesting this is the fee McGlynn will sell for one day; it’s just an easy number for someone who is bad at math). Here’s how that money would break down, from my best understanding – which I’m admittedly still piecing together:

$10 Million Fee
50% to HOUSTON DYNAMO – $5 Million

50% to Philadelphia Union – $5 Million
–> 20% of Union’s $5 Million to NYRB – $1 Million
–> 20% of Union’s $5 Million to NYCFC – $1 Million
= $3 Million net fee for Philadelphia Union

What does this mean for Union

If you’re a fan of the Philadelphia Union, I’m sure it’s hard to see Jack McGlynn leave, especially to another MLS team. He’s been one of the Union’s most promising homegrown players and is undoubtedly one of the favorites when you look around the stadium and take note of names on the back of fan’s jerseys.

But the simple truth is, Jack McGlynn’s style and skillset just don’t fit the intense, high-pressing system that Ernst Tanner wants Bradley Carnell to bring back into Union’s team in 2025. While he excels on the ball and has one of the best left-foot Union have ever had, he’s never been known as one of the fastest players on the pitch and has struggled to keep up defensively at times, which would likely be under the spotlight even more in 2025.

That leaves Union with a number of core options in the midfield – Daniel Gazdag as the everyday #10, A defensive-minded duo of Danley Jean Jacques and Jesus Bueno, veteran and leader of the team Ale Bedoya, and the creative Quinn Sullivan and his young phenom brother, Cavan, who will look to establish a more consistent role with the first team this season. Young prospects in CJ Onley, Nick Pariano, Jeremy Rafanello, and David Vazquez will be leaned on to add depth and fill in when needed this season, on top of any additional players Union brings in during this transfer window (One announcement expected shortly).

Good move for McGlynn’s Career

Likewise, for Union fans, I’m sure making the decision to leave Philadelphia and head out West wasn’t easy on McGlynn either, but I think it might be the right move for him. His stock is potentially higher than it’s ever been after a strong showing in the January USMNT camp, and the move to Houston gives him an opportunity to enter a team that not only has a starting position open for him but fits his style way better than Union’s ever did.

For Jack, this is a huge opportunity to showcase his skillset in a system that allows him to flourish, hopefully one day earning the move to Europe he’s always dreamed of.

“Jack is one of the bright, young American talents in both MLS and the U.S. National Team player pool, and we look forward to his continued development in Houston. We expect him to thrive in our possession-oriented style of play, as Jack’s strengths match the attributes that we value in our central midfielders. With over 100 MLS appearances, he is a very proven player to occupy our fourth U22 Initiative spot on the roster. We are excited to welcome Jack to Houston as we push for a successful 20th Season.” – Houston Dynamo President of Soccer, Pat Onstad