{"id":812004,"date":"2024-12-12T22:15:12","date_gmt":"2024-12-13T04:15:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/12\/mls-free-agency-big-board-who-teams-could-sign-this-winter-mlssoccer-com\/"},"modified":"2024-12-12T22:15:12","modified_gmt":"2024-12-13T04:15:12","slug":"mls-free-agency-big-board-who-teams-could-sign-this-winter-mlssoccer-com","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/2024\/12\/12\/mls-free-agency-big-board-who-teams-could-sign-this-winter-mlssoccer-com\/","title":{"rendered":"MLS Free Agency Big Board: Who teams could sign this winter | MLSSoccer.com"},"content":{"rendered":"

Soccer <\/p>\n

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Armchair Analyst: Matt Doyle<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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MLS free agency opens this Thursday, December 12. A reminder that free agency eligible players<\/a> are out-of-contract and option-declined players who are at least 24 years old and have completed a minimum of five MLS service years.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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Here\u2019s the full list of rules and regs<\/a> if you\u2019re a fine print type.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Now let\u2019s build a big board. We\u2019ll go by position:<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

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  1. Jeremy Ebobisse:<\/strong> Clearly needs a change of scenery, but he\u2019s in his prime (he\u2019s 27), has scored double-digit goals in the regular season three times in his career, and put up a goal every ~225 minutes across all competitions in 2024. Just two years ago, Ebobisse<\/a> put up 17 in the regular season! And he was the starting 9 in Portland<\/a> for both their run to MLS Cup 2018 presented by Audi and their 2020 MLS is Back championship.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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    1. Kei Kamara:<\/strong> One of the Concacaf Champions Cup<\/a> teams has to sign him as a super-sub. It makes so much sense for the LA Galaxy<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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      1. Josef Mart\u00ednez:<\/strong> Josef<\/a> would maybe be No. 1 on this list if you could get him to buy into a super-sub role, but he\u2019s always been\u2026 combustible. Which makes him a tough fit for most teams despite his talent.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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        1. Faf\u00e0 Picault:<\/strong> Coming off one of his best seasons, Fafa<\/a>\u2019s still a monster defensively and capable of providing tertiary scoring punch as well. He’s reportedly in negotiations to return to Vancouver<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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          1. Johnny Russell:<\/strong> Perfect for the Ilsinho role if he\u2019s willing to be a super-sub. Like Kei<\/a>, he makes a ton of sense for any team juggling a ton of games across multiple competitions.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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            1. Jonathan Lewis:<\/strong> He’s never turned into the high-end starter I thought he could be, but he\u2019s consistently dangerous off the bench. Is reportedly in negotiations to return to Colorado<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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              1. Albert Rusn\u00e1k:<\/strong> The Sounders<\/a> DP is coming off his best year in MLS and is widely expected to re-sign in Seattle. The only question is if it\u2019ll be a shorter deal at a full DP number, or a longer deal for max-TAM.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                1. Latif Blessing:<\/strong> Has never truly been effective in any role besides as a pressing 10 for LAFC<\/a> five years ago. He’s reportedly still in negotiations with the Dynamo<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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                  1. Alex Ring:<\/strong> Could add value \u2013 probably not as a starter \u2013 to a lot of teams in a dual 6\/8 role.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                    1. An\u00edbal Godoy:<\/strong> Probably freelances too much for most teams, but still plays hard and can switch the hell out of the field of play. A worthwhile vet depending on your game model.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                      1. Jackson Yueill:<\/strong> Never became the game-conductor I thought he could in San Jose<\/a>, but he\u2019s in his prime and has played winning soccer in the past.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                        1. Alejandro Bedoya:<\/strong> If Jim Curtin ends up as the head coach in Atlanta<\/a>, I\u2019d be surprised if Bedoya<\/a> doesn\u2019t end up there, too.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                          1. Brandon Servania:<\/strong> In his prime and he\u2019s got unexplored, two-way upside if he comes back healthy.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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                            1. Jo\u00e3o Paulo:<\/strong> Age and injuries slowed him, but I\u2019d still trust the hell out of him in a big game. Reportedly still in negotiations to return to the Sounders.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                              1. Ilie S\u00e1nchez:<\/strong> Fell out of favor with LAFC as Steve Cherundolo\u2019s model evolved into one that prioritized field coverage over pitch control. Makes a lot of sense as a veteran minutes-eater in any place that emphasizes the latter.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                1. Victor Wanyama:<\/strong> He basically hasn\u2019t played since 2022, but he was so, so good that year. If he\u2019s willing to come in on a low number he makes sense as a veteran security blanket.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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                                  1. Ruan:<\/strong> Still an incredible overlapping threat who makes a lot of sense for any team juggling lots of games. Cincy<\/a>, in particular, makes a lot of sense to me. Reportedly still in negotiations with Dallas<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                    1. Yamil Asad:<\/strong> Had a breakout year \u2013 arguably his best as a pro \u2013 playing as an attacking wingback for Cincy. Would it translate for another team? It hasn\u2019t in the past, so buyer beware. Reportedly in negotiations with Cincy.<\/li>\n
                                    2. Nick Lima:<\/strong> Solid veteran who competes like hell defensively and doesn\u2019t turn the ball over.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                      1. Raheem Edwards:<\/strong> Can be an attacking spark off the bench in the right situation, and left-footers don\u2019t grow on trees.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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                                        1. Jack Elliott:<\/strong> Had a tough year, but he\u2019s on the right side of 30 and has been one of the best in the league for over half a decade. Plus he\u2019s a very good distributor of the ball. Reportedly still in negotiations with the Union<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                          1. Jes\u00fas Murillo:<\/strong> Prototypical hard-man center back who is physically dominant in virtually every way. At the tail end of his prime \u2013 he turns 31 just before next season starts \u2013 but is still elite when healthy. Reportedly still in negotiations with LAFC.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                            1. Aaron Long:<\/strong> Was arguably in the running for Defender of the Year midway through this season. Still a top-tier physical presence as he approaches his mid-30s, and is clearly a championship-caliber starting CB. Reportedly has agreed to re-sign<\/a> with LAFC, so\u2026 move along. Spend your free agency bucks elsewhere.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                              1. Xavier Arreaga:<\/strong> I can\u2019t explain his fall-off over the past few years. It\u2019s weird that Seattle couldn\u2019t get anything for him, and it\u2019s weird that New England<\/a> decided not to keep him. He\u2019s still just 30 and still a full Ecuador international! It wouldn\u2019t shock me if he ends up somewhere and is suddenly good again.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                                1. Lalas Abubakar:<\/strong> A useful veteran presence off the bench who was stretched past his breaking point once inserted into the starting XI for the Rapids. Reportedly still in negotiations with Colorado.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                                  1. Tim Parker:<\/strong> Veteran hard-man who\u2019s had some very good moments in the past. Makes sense as a bench piece for teams that have a packed schedule.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                                    1. Wyatt Omsberg:<\/strong> I\u2019ve always liked him, but it seems like he\u2019d pick up an injury every time he gets close to breaking through. Reportedly still in negotiations with the Fire<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                                      1. Tanner Beason:<\/strong> Plays hard, but unstructured. If he lands in a better situation, does some of that latent talent suddenly blossom? Feels like a long shot.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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                                                        1. Steve Clark:<\/strong> Had a very good year, and was one of the league\u2019s better shot-stoppers by the numbers \u2013 right up until he was asked to stop any penalties, anyway. Reportedly still in negotiations with Houston.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                                          1. Tim Melia:<\/strong> I straight-up do not think he was the problem with Sporting KC<\/a> this past season, and feel like he could be a starter at a half-dozen spots in the league.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                                            1. JT Marcinkowski:<\/strong> A reclamation project given his injuries, but has mostly been an above-average shot-stopper in his MLS career (save for an outlier-bad 2022 season).<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n
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                                                              1. Alex Bono:<\/strong> Veteran back-up material who\u2019s got big-game experience.<\/li>\n<\/ol><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

                                                                Read More<\/a>Margarett Block<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                                                Soccer Armchair Analyst: Matt Doyle MLS free agency opens this Thursday, December 12. A reminder that free agency eligible players are out-of-contract and option-declined players who are at least 24 years old and have completed a minimum of five MLS service years. Here\u2019s the full list of rules and regs if you\u2019re a fine print […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":812005,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1914,2207,2005],"tags":[6254,6960],"class_list":{"0":"post-812004","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-agency","8":"category-board","9":"category-soccer","10":"tag-agency","11":"tag-board"},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/812004","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=812004"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/812004\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/812005"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=812004"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=812004"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/newsycanuse.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=812004"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}