Soccer <\/p>\n
Transfer season is upon us.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Well, it never fully<\/em> stops. But the MLS Secondary Transfer Window arrives on July 24 and lasts until August 21, allowing teams to add game-changers and chase a trophy (or two).<\/p>\n Here are six teams I have a close eye on this summer.<\/p>\n Before getting underway, I\u2019ll give a special shoutout to the Portland Timbers<\/a> after Jonathan Rodr\u00edguez<\/a>\u2019s season-ending injury. Same for the New York Red Bulls<\/a>, who remain linked with Timo Werner.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n It\u2019s a whole new era for Toronto FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n GM Jason Hernandez and head coach Robin Fraser have a blank slate to work with after TFC got out of the Lorenzo Insigne<\/a> and Federico Bernardeschi<\/a> deals. Insigne\u2026 what a miss in so many ways. And while Bernardeschi looked the part for long stretches, he\u2019s always \u2013 fairly or not \u2013 going to be lumped in with his fellow Italian.<\/p>\n Now, we\u2019re looking at probably the most important transfer window in club history.<\/p>\n What types of DP signings should Toronto target? They need to go after a striker to lead the line, followed by a goal-dangerous winger \u2013 someone in the mold of an Anders Dreyer<\/a> or a Marco Pa\u0161ali\u0107<\/a>. Their backline has been a rotating cast of players, and while they need stability there, I wouldn\u2019t direct DP resources to that area of the field.<\/p>\n Whoever arrives, it\u2019s sink or swim time for Toronto. This team had some massively successful DPs not too long ago \u2013 Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Sebastian Giovinco. That\u2019s the standard, and they have the chance to chart the future of this club.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n With an open DP spot, I\u2019d love to see LAFC<\/a> sign a striker in the mold of Denis Bouanga<\/a>. They don\u2019t need a big-name superstar, but rather someone who\u2019s in their prime and can be dynamic, mobile, goal-dangerous, lead a counter-attack \u2013 all the qualities that define this team at their best.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s call a spade a spade: The Olivier Giroud<\/a> move never fully made sense and didn\u2019t work out for either party. By all accounts, he was extremely professional and a great presence in the locker room; sometimes these signings simply don\u2019t go as envisioned.<\/p>\n Now, LAFC can correct their mistake and push for the top spot in a wide-open Western Conference with a new No. 9. Go after a striker who can keep up with the front three, get into the box, make his own shot and bring the best out of Bouanga, David Mart\u00ednez<\/a> and Nathan Ordaz<\/a>.<\/p>\n I\u2019d also like LAFC to add a more technical, advanced, creative type in midfield. It doesn’t have to be a DP, but introduce the right profile of player and they reach another level.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n This all starts with the premise that Charlotte FC<\/a> will sell Patrick Agyemang<\/a> this summer. The USMNT<\/a> striker is heavily linked to Derby County in England\u2019s second division for up to $10 million\u2026 that\u2019s an incredible bit of business for a SuperDraft pick.<\/p>\n Assuming the Agyemang deal goes through, I\u2019d like to see Charlotte use their open DP spot and go after a big-name striker. I\u2019m not necessarily saying a mega-star, but someone more polished than Agyemang. He obviously has a lot of physical tools, but isn\u2019t always the most clinical and is still learning the role.<\/p>\n The right striker signing brings even more out of Wilfried Zaha<\/a> and Pep Biel<\/a>. Those two can create chances in a variety of ways. They just need a No. 9 who can routinely finish his opportunities.<\/p>\n I\u2019d also like to see Charlotte add a midfielder who makes them harder to play against. They have some solid box-to-box players, but need someone who helps protect Ashley Westwood<\/a> a little more with a stronger defensive presence.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n Minnesota United<\/a> are a really interesting team \u2013 I like a lot of their pieces and how Eric Ramsay has gotten the squad to buy in. They\u2019re lethal on the counter-attack, effective on set pieces and stick to their identity.<\/p>\n Now, to take the next step, the Loons need to strengthen their midfield.<\/p>\n Wil Trapp<\/a> is doing a fantastic job, adding a veteran presence in midfield. But if this team wants to go to the next level and challenge for trophies with the best teams in the league, I think they need someone like an Obinna Nwobodo<\/a>-type in the No. 6 role.<\/p>\n Minnesota are somewhat light in terms of midfield presence after Hassani Dotson<\/a>‘s injury, and a real game-changer would also help them get even more out of Robin Lod<\/a> and Joaqu\u00edn Pereyra<\/a> as dual 10s, plus their attacking wingbacks.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n By now, we\u2019ve all seen the Rodrigo De Paul links. The Atl\u00e9tico Madrid midfielder is reportedly joining Inter Miami this summer, arriving in MLS as he prepares to help Argentina defend their World Cup title.<\/p>\n As for how<\/em> Miami sign De Paul, given they\u2019re already using all three Designated Player spots? It\u2019s a hurdle they\u2019ll have to solve.<\/p>\n But what I will say is it\u2019s clear Lionel Messi<\/a> has his hand in shaping the roster \u2013 as he should. They\u2019re in a championship window and Messi’s still playing at a really high level. They need to maximize it, and a player like De Paul moves them closer to the MLS Cup title this era will be judged on.<\/p>\n One more: I think Miami could trade for a veteran No. 9 who spells Luis Su\u00e1rez<\/a> a little bit. I know they like to play Messi as a false 9 at times, but if they’re chasing the game or the game’s tied and they need a goal, or if Su\u00e1rez goes down, they don’t have another pure striker. It just doesn’t seem like Javier Mascherano trusts Allen Obando<\/a> fully quite yet.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n First things first: I was totally wrong about Bruce Arena in San Jose<\/a> and how he would use their attacking pieces. I didn’t think there would be a world in which he could get Chicho Arango<\/a> and Josef Mart\u00ednez<\/a> to co-exist without stepping all over each other’s toes, or not having enough balance on the defensive end.<\/p>\n But the Earthquakes are right in the Western Conference playoff race, and have a real chance to keep climbing with more moves in the summer.<\/p>\n They recently loaned out Hern\u00e1n L\u00f3pez<\/a> and could bring in another No. 10 to help ignite the attack even more. They have a strong midfield with the emergence of Beau Leroux<\/a> and Ian Harkes<\/a> as the go-to pairing, and now it\u2019s about adding that one extra piece to really push on.<\/p>\n We\u2019ve seen Bruce be aggressive with moves this year \u2013 Chico, Josef\u2026 even DeJuan Jones<\/a> is one of the sneakiest, underrated signings of the year. Let\u2019s see what else he\u2019s got up his sleeve.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n