Soccer <\/p>\n
You get a gift! You get a gift! You get a gift!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
It\u2019s the holiday season and I\u2019m feeling festive and benevolent. What better way to enjoy this brief spell of quiet before the new year than by passing out presents to every MLS team?<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what all 30 MLS clubs want this winter. Their wish is my command.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
A DP left winger<\/strong><\/p>\n Atlanta United<\/a> won’t be ready to give up on Alexey Miranchuk<\/a> as their No. 10, so the first place I’d look to improve the squad is on the left wing opposite Saba Lobjanidze<\/a>. There’s no better place to use the cash they’re ready to spend. And while Garth Lagerwey and Chris Henderson appear to be prioritizing the No. 9 spot, why not do both?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n An elite chance creator<\/strong><\/p>\n Try as they might, Austin<\/a> can’t make Sebasti\u00e1n Driussi<\/a> into a chance creator. Per FBref, the Argentine hasn’t finished above the 53rd percentile in expected assisted goals among his positional peers in any of his four seasons in Verde & Black. They need a playmaker.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A big-money No. 10<\/strong><\/p>\n Charlotte<\/a> couldn’t land Calvin Stengs or Miguel Almir\u00f3n last summer, but it\u2019s time to take another big swing in this winter window. Pep Biel’s loan has expired, so that DP spot is wide open.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A buddy for Hugo Cuypers<\/strong><\/p>\n Hugo Cuypers<\/a> scored 20 goals during his last full season in the Belgian top flight. He didn\u2019t suddenly forget how to score goals once he arrived in MLS, only notching 10 for the Fire<\/a> last year. Rather, he needs a pal in the attack who can feed him inside the 18-yard box.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n A note from Lucho Acosta that says \u201cI\u2019m staying\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n Lucho Acosta<\/a>\u2019s post-Audi MLS Cup Playoffs exit bombshell about potentially leaving the club<\/a> is still looming large in Cincinnati<\/a>. But if he sticks around to play with K\u00e9vin Denkey<\/a> and one of the most talented squads in MLS? Cincy will be a serious trophy contender in 2025.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Zack Steffen winding back the clock to 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n Sometimes the best gifts are the most practical ones \u2014 and the most practical way for the Rapids<\/a> to improve in 2025 is for Zack Steffen<\/a> to have a great shot-stopping season. Based on FBref\u2019s goals saved above expected metric, his lone positive shot-stopping year was back in 2019 with the Columbus Crew<\/a>. Let\u2019s bring 2019 Steffen back.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Statues for Cucho Hern\u00e1ndez and Wilfried Nancy<\/strong><\/p>\n In a bid to convince Cucho Hern\u00e1ndez<\/a> and Wilfried Nancy to stay in Columbus forever and ever, I\u2019m commissioning a statue of each of them to be placed out front of Lower.com Field. They\u2019ll turn out better than the Ronaldo statue, I promise.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n More Alan Velasco magic<\/strong><\/p>\n Alan Velasco<\/a>\u2019s first MLS goal is etched in my brain:<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \n