Armchair Analyst: Matt Doyle<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Players have reported to camp this week, as preseason has officially begun across MLS. You can jump on the social media platform of your choice and see clips of your dudes jogging, joking and hopefully not sporting too many extra pounds from the holidays.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Rosters around the league, naturally, are in various states of disrepair. Consider this a primer on the state of things, and a look at the biggest issue each front office has to address.<\/p>\n Western Conference today, Eastern Conference tomorrow. In we go:<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Sporting director Rodo Borrell worked so hard over the holidays that he was reduced to tears upon getting the Vazquez move<\/a> \u2013 reportedly a deal for north of $10 million \u2013 over the line. Vazquez<\/a> is a very good player, but I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if there were some tears (joyful) on Monterrey\u2019s side of things as well.<\/p>\n The midfield remains a work in progress, even with the reportedly imminent<\/a> arrival of Argentinian No. 8 Nicol\u00e1s Dubersarsky.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n They\u2019re only technically 3\/3 on DPs because the reported Driussi move to Estudiantes<\/a> hasn\u2019t gone through yet. But then they\u2019re immediately back to 3\/3, as they\u2019re almost certainly going to sign Albanian international attacker Myrto Uzuni (currently with Granada) with that open DP slot.<\/p>\n Like Driussi<\/a>, Uzuni is more of a second forward than a midfielder or winger, which makes me think the midfield work Borrell and new head coach Nico Est\u00e9vez are progressing towards ends up in some sort of 3-4-2-1 or maybe even a 3-4-1-2 with Uzuni and Vazquez up top.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Aside from one big trade to grab Chidozie Awaziem<\/a> and Ian Murphy<\/a> from Cincy<\/a>, the Rapids<\/a> have had a very quiet winter. Sure, they went out and snagged some SuperDraft picks \u2013 theirs and Philly\u2019s \u2013 and signed Cole Bassett\u2019s younger brother<\/a> (who was an excellent college No. 10 that probably projects as an 8 in MLS) to a homegrown deal.<\/p>\n But the truly big work was done last winter and a little bit over the summer.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n Talk of an overseas transfer for center back Andreas Maxs\u00f8<\/a>, which would free up a ton of cap room, has gone quiet. Given the Rapids are expected to switch from their 4-2-3-1 to a 3-4-2-1 this year, I feel that makes sense: keep the experienced Maxs\u00f8 around for at least half a season while the younger CBs find their footing.<\/p>\n Also, Cabral<\/a> is entering the final guaranteed season of his deal. It would make sense to wait until the summer window to buy him out and bring in a new DP to push down the stretch.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Dallas<\/a> have been undergoing what\u2019s almost an entire overhaul.<\/p>\n Gone are Jes\u00fas Ferreira<\/a> and Paul Arriola<\/a>, traded to Seattle<\/a> for GAM, an international roster slot, and Ch\u00fa<\/a>. Velasco<\/a> is likely out the door next as Boca Juniors have reportedly made a Godfather offer<\/a>. In are at least 13 new players \u2013 including likely starting right back Shaq Moore<\/a> \u2013 and a bunch of SuperDraft picks. Plus, as always, there are a bunch of academy signings via North Texas SC.<\/p>\n New head coach Eric Quill\u2019s got a lot to sort through.<\/p>\n By the way, that GAM number above? With all the moves they\u2019ve made over the past month, and the moves likely to come, that\u2019s going to be over $8 million. Or $10 million if they go the 2\/4\/2 route.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n If Velasco\u2019s sold, they need a No. 10. Everything else takes a back seat to that. Even central defense.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n I\u2019m bummed that they\u2019re reportedly about to sell<\/a> Coco Carrasquilla<\/a> to Pumas, but look at that GAM number. They had to do it. This team went for it the past couple of years, bringing 2025 GAM forward and using it on the 2023-24 salary budgets, and got rewarded with a trophy and a revitalized club.<\/p>\n It\u2019s left them in a position where their hands are effectively tied, and all the pressure is on head coach Ben Olsen to develop guys like Aliyu<\/a>, Qui\u00f1ones<\/a> and Brooklyn Raines<\/a>, who I have big hopes for<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n An elite, match-winning, DP No. 10. Also, a sucker of a team to take Ferreira<\/a> off their hands.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Sporting<\/a> got a giant-sized \u201cget out of jail free\u201d card when Chivas came in and purchased<\/a> Alan Pulido, opening up a DP slot (and $3.6 million of discretionary spending!) to play with.<\/p>\n Now that they\u2019ve made the big move, the runway is clear to add significant pieces elsewhere.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n More than anything else, I think Sporting need a guy who can get on the ball and dominate\/orchestrate in central midfield. The latest rumor<\/a> has them linked to Bar\u00e7a B captain Unai Hern\u00e1ndez, who is out of contract this summer and has apparently been frozen out of the team because of it.<\/p>\n Getting that midfield centerpiece, whether it\u2019s Hern\u00e1ndez or not, is easily the most important job this winter for GM Mike Burns.<\/p>\n (While they\u2019re in Spain, maybe knock on Getafe\u2019s door and see if Carles Ale\u00f1\u00e1\u2019s ready for a new adventure?)<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Getting Jeremy Ebobisse<\/a> as a free agent suggests they\u2019re committed to playing with a true center forward this year \u2013 between him and Giroud<\/a>, they should cover the vast majority of minutes across all competitions.<\/p>\n Does this mean Mateusz Bogusz<\/a> is going back to central midfield, which was his original position? That\u2019s starting to feel likely given how barren that spot is on the depth chart, even after they signed Norwegian Odin Thiago Holm<\/a> this week.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n LAFC<\/a> are once again a bit thin at fullback after selling Omar Campos<\/a>, but the real issue is d-mid after letting Ilie S\u00e1nchez and Eduard Atuesta walk.<\/p>\n I don\u2019t expect them to go big on it \u2013 they\u2019re saving that DP slot for Antoine Griezmann this summer, I\u2019m pretty sure \u2013 but whether it\u2019s a 4-3-3 or a 5-2-3, they need someone in there who can cover ground, win the ball and complete a pass or two. If the Igor Jesus reports<\/a> come to fruition, then presumably he’s the guy (maybe on a U22 deal).<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n The Galaxy<\/a> were forced into a couple of moves \u2013 MLS Cup MVP Gast\u00f3n Brugman<\/a> to Nashville<\/a> for Sean Davis<\/a>, and Jalen Neal<\/a> to CF Montr\u00e9al<\/a> for cash and an international roster slot \u2013 that were aimed at smoothing out their salary-cap situation. They were also necessary since Dejan Jovelji\u0107<\/a> graduated from U22 status and now hits the roster at a higher budget charge.<\/p>\n They\u2019re in good shape overall, but it\u2019s a case of what you see is what you get as they don\u2019t have a ton of room to maneuver right now.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n They\u2019re still in talks with veteran center back Maya Yoshida<\/a> about returning, which is the main job. They’ve also been linked to another veteran center back, Danish international Mathias J\u00f8rgensen (who goes by the nom de plume “Zanka”). I’m expecting that one to get done.<\/p>\n I also expect them to use one of their open U22 slots on a young No. 9, hoping to find the next Jovelji\u0107. Though they’re actually most strongly linked to Lucas Sanabria, a 21-year-old Uruguayan d-mid currently at Nacional.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Pukki<\/a>\u2019s time in Minnesota<\/a> is reportedly ending<\/a>, which makes sense when you consider that he\u2019s entering the final six months of his contract and is no higher than third on the center forward depth chart. A mutual buyout makes the most sense.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n Opening up Pukki\u2019s DP slot lets Minnesota sign the DP central midfielder they obviously need to compete with the best in the West.<\/p>\n The rest of the roster is solid to excellent \u2013 they could clearly upgrade a couple of spots on the backline, and I\u2019m sure they\u2019re thinking about that. But central midfield is where the gap between the Loons and the teams that actually won stuff was most obvious.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n For a team that went into the offseason with some reportedly unhappy campers, the Timbers<\/a> have slow-played the offseason so far.<\/p>\n Backup central midfielder Eryk Williamson<\/a> is out, reportedly off to Charlotte<\/a> for a handful of GAM, and backup winger Ariel Lassiter<\/a> is in, signed as a free agent. They\u2019re also reportedly about to sign<\/a> Ecuadorian international d-mid Joao Ortiz, who \u2013 I\u2019m guessing here \u2013 would probably, finally, displace the legendary Diego Chara<\/a> from the starting XI.<\/p>\n Talks about acquiring former FC Cincinnati striker Kevin Kelsy have percolated all winter as well, but that doesn\u2019t seem imminent.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n Getting clarity on the Evander<\/a> situation (i.e., making sure he\u2019s happy in Portland and ready to produce at an MVP level again) supersedes everything else. It does seem like the vultures are circling<\/a>.<\/p>\n If Evander’s content, the main job becomes center forward. Maybe even finding a DP starter who\u2019d knock Felipe Mora<\/a> into a TAM slot.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n That GAM total is now around $6 million when you factor in the trades of Chicho Arango<\/a> and Anderson Julio<\/a>. Factor in the 2\/4\/2 roster model they\u2019ll almost certainly follow, and it\u2019s in the neighborhood of $8 million. Add in the reported impending Gavin Beavers<\/a> sale to Br\u00f8ndby, and can it hit $10 million?<\/p>\n Which is to say RSL<\/a> have plenty of room to do a lot of stuff with this roster.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n They don\u2019t need a lot of stuff, though. What they really need is a center forward who can produce like Chicho did in the first half of last season, and for Luna<\/a>, Marczuk<\/a> and Gon\u00e7alves<\/a> to take steps forward this year.<\/p>\n I expect them to go big on that DP No. 9, even after ultimately taking a bath on the Chicho signing. We saw last year that, without a go-to goalscorer, the whole thing doesn\u2019t work.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n San Diego<\/a> are slow-playing this build, man. The defense is mostly set and so is deep midfield, but there\u2019s no No. 10, there\u2019s no real right winger, there\u2019s only one DP, and the presumed starting No. 9 has one double-digit scoring season in the past eight years.<\/p>\n The Kevin De Bruyne links<\/a> are fun, but sporting director Tyler Heaps has got to start adding some top-end talent.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n Top-end, match-winning talent in midfield and on the wing opposite Lozano<\/a>. Maybe even up top as well, since Marcus Ingvartsen<\/a> (5g\/1a in 17 appearances) has not exactly been tearing it up in the Danish Superliga.<\/p>\n There remains a lot of work to do.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Yeah, you\u2019re seeing that right. As of right now, as far as I can tell, San Jose<\/a> have four guys for three DP slots. It\u2019s not an issue until the Roster Compliance Date, which is on Friday, February 21.<\/p>\n So between now and then, they\u2019ll either have to trade, sell, or buy one of those guys out (or, if possible, buy one down \u2013 though I don\u2019t think any of them are structured in a way where they can be).<\/p>\n As per everything I\u2019ve heard, it\u2019s Gruezo<\/a> who\u2019s being shown towards the door. There are certainly teams in the league that could use him.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n I\u2019d love to see them use those U22 slots to get high-upside young pieces in. Right now the front line is a bit thin, though that becomes less of a concern if homegrown Cruz Medina<\/a> is finally ready to contribute.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n With the additions of Jes\u00fas Ferreira and Paul Arriola for a huge chunk of that GAM, and by retaining Rusn\u00e1k<\/a> (signed to a two-year DP deal) and Jo\u00e3o Paulo<\/a> (signed for one more year at something around $700k), CSO Craig Waibel kept the most important parts of last year\u2019s Western Conference finalists together while adding both top-end quality and depth to a team that\u2019s going to compete across five different competitions.<\/p>\n The floor is higher than just about anybody else in the league.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n Seattle’s roster doesn\u2019t have huge needs at this point, especially if Travian Sousa (attacking left back) and Leo Burney (center back) keep the parade from Tacoma Defiance to the first team going.<\/p>\n The one spot you could maybe<\/em> pick at is central midfield, though even there the Sounders are six or seven deep. Still, if you were betting on them to use one of those open U22 slots somewhere, that\u2019d be it. Though I wouldn\u2019t expect that to happen until the summer window.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n St. Louis<\/a>‘ busy summer has meant a comparatively calm winter, with veteran center back Timo Baumgartl<\/a> the big signing so far. Conrad Wallem, a 24-year-old Norwegian midfielder who can reportedly play in the middle and at either wingback spot, is reportedly on his way next<\/a>.<\/p>\n Biggest Transfer Need<\/strong><\/p>\n You could argue they need another true central midfielder and that they\u2019re thin at left wingback (expect them to switch to a 3-4-2-1 this year) with the injury to Jayden Reid<\/a>. I wouldn\u2019t be surprised if both of those spots are addressed.<\/p>\n The real question, though, is center forward. Will a rotation of Klauss<\/a>, Simon Becher<\/a> and Caden Glover<\/a> be good enough?<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n If they decide the answer is no, remember that Klauss is entering the final guaranteed year of his deal.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n
\n