MLS clubs have reported for pre-season, Lionel Messi and Inter Miami have played their first friendly, some big MLS free agents are still on the market and the winter transfer window in Europe closes in less than 10 days.
There's a lot going on in the world of MLS. Here's the latest I'm hearing on players from around the league.
One of the biggest free agents still on the market is US National Team midfielder Kellyn Acosta.
The midfielder has been closely pursued by several clubs this winter, none more intensely than Chicago Fire. Sources briefed on the talks say the Fire remain hopeful of bringing in Acosta, but the same sources also add that Sporting KC remains in play, as do the late-comer Colorado Rapids who would like one The return of the midfielder would enable him to play for the Rapids from 2018 to 2021.
The Rapids signed several players from the USMNT pool this winter, including Djordje Mihailovic, Zack Steffen and Sam Vines.
Acosta, 28, has earned 58 caps for the USMNT and is out of contract after two successful seasons with LAFC, during which he won back-to-back MLS Cups and won one. He was acquired from LAFC in a trade with the Rapids, where he played 82 games. He started his career at FC Dallas.
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Sources briefed on the situation say that Carlos Vela is in talks about potentially staying at LAFC and that rumors that the LA Galaxy were in talks with Vela were false. However, Vela remains available as a free agent and would consider interest elsewhere.
Vela, 34, was LAFC's first designated player and has been instrumental in LAFC's success since joining the league in 2018. In 2023, he did not have his most productive season, but appeared in all 34 regular season games for the first time in his MLS career. He played more than 3,000 minutes across all competitions.
Longtime captain of the Philadelphia Union Alejandro Bedoya is still technically available. Bedoya has been in talks with the Philadelphia Union about a new deal throughout the winter and sources continue to describe the deal as “very close,” but nothing has been finalized or signed yet.
Bedoya, 36, is a Union legend after joining the club in 2016. He played 247 games for the club and captained the team to their first-ever trophy, the 2020 Supporters' Shield.
Pablo Maurer contributed to this report.
Five possible window exits in January
Dennis Bouanga, LAFC
LAFC still plans for Bouanga to be the fulcrum of the club's attack for 2024 after winning both the CONCACAF Champions Cup and MLS Golden Boots last year, but Bouanga wants a new contract but that is still pending nothing happens.
Clubs in France – particularly Lens, Rennes and Nice – are interested and there are reports of offers being rejected. With more than a week left in the transfer window, there is still time for changes, but LAFC continue to insist that Bouanga remains at the club.
Bouanga, 29, scored 38 goals in all competitions in 2023 – a record for an MLS player.
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Coco Carrasquilla, Houston Dynamo
Interest remains strong but there are no official offers for the Dynamo midfielder yet. Communication between Dynamo and Carrasquilla's camp is open and all parties are on the same page. If a reasonable offer comes, Carrasquilla will leave. If not, Houston will keep its star for a little longer.
Carrasquilla, 25, played for Spanish club FC Cartagena before joining Houston in 2021. He played 28 games in the Spanish second division.
Houston prepared for bids in August and was happy to keep him until the end of the year, as Carrasquilla played a crucial role in the club winning the US Open Cup and finishing fourth in the Western Conference before reaching the conference finals.
Noel Buck, New England Revolution
Similar to Carrasquilla, it is also the case with Buck and the New England Revolution. According to sources, there are a lot of interested teams – mainly in England, but also in Germany and Belgian side Club Brugge – but there are no official offers yet. Unless a big offer comes late before the European transfer window closes on February 1, Buck will continue his development for the Revs for another six months or even a full season, depending on what happens in the summer.
Buck, 18 years old and an England youth international, will undoubtedly be in Europe in the near future. He won a starting position for the Revs in 2023 and enjoyed a breakout year, ending as a regular in the England U-19 team.
Duncan McGuire, Orlando City
Orlando City and McGuire still have not agreed on a new contract and interest abroad remains strong. He could be a player to keep an eye on in the market by the end of the month.
Several offers from Blackburn Rovers have been rejected but they are still believed to be interested. Clubs around the MLS would be interested in a potential move if possible, but it's unlikely Orlando would agree to send him within the league.
The 22-year-old McGuire is expected to be on the USA squad for the Olympics this summer. He scored 15 goals and three assists in 1,930 minutes in all competitions in his first professional season in 2023 and just made his senior USMNT debut in a friendly against Slovenia over the weekend.
Thiago Almada, Atlanta United
The situation remains the same: Atlanta is in no hurry to sell and there are no official offers yet. Atlanta will consider offers and agree to a transfer if his evaluation is met. It still seems more likely that such league-record offers come in the summer than the winter.
Atletico Madrid were the latest team to be linked with Almada as a potential replacement should Angel Correa move to Al Ittihad. Correa's move has not yet taken place. Atletico will not consider Almada this month unless Correa is moved.
(Photo: Bob Drebin/ISI Photos/Getty Images)