Historically, the summer season switch window in MLS comes at an ungainly time.
This isn’t solely as a result of it’s within the midseason window reasonably than the preseason window like in Europe’s high leagues, which makes it a troublesome proposition for promoting key gamers overseas. For a lot of the league’s latest historical past, the window has additionally closed in early August.
Thankfully, each points will likely be alleviated when MLS aligns with Europe and flips its calendar to summer-to-spring. Buying and promoting ought to change into smoother, or no less than create much less of a headache than, say, Real Salt Lake shedding Zavier Gozo to Crystal Palace midway by means of the season.
Also fortunately, MLS this 12 months shortened its winter window and prolonged its summer season window, which means the switch window is open till Sept. 2. There continues to be loads of time for golf equipment to make key signings and, as is typical in Europe, extra gamers will quickly be out there.
These are the three groups to observe over the following few weeks.
Colorado Rapids
Fresh off a historic deal that despatched Lucas Herrington to Hull City for up to $23 million, Colorado Rapids president Pádraig Smith vowed the membership would reinvest and never let the chance go by.
Colorado can add a delegated participant and a few U-22 initiative signings this summer season if it does nothing else. There is perhaps further adjustments to the present roster, with Smith insisting the membership must be daring if it should. This is the workforce to observe proper now.
The Rapids beat Sporting KC 2-0 this weekend as DPs Rafa Navarro (one objective) and Paxten Aaronson (one help) led the way in which, although the game-winning objective got here from a set piece once more. Reliance on set items and being higher towards set defenses is the primary objective for Colorado this summer season.
Head coach Matt Wells has introduced a possession-based, high-energy system. Loads of gamers match nicely, however might do with one other key addition or two. The workforce is high 5 in possession however lagging in xG (twenty third in MLS) and objectives (sixteenth).
A winger will likely be on the high of the wishlist.
The membership has been linked with extremely rated Israeli ahead Sayed Abu Farkhi and talks are superior, in accordance with sources who spoke below situation of anonymity as a result of they aren’t approved to debate the matter publicly. But there’s no assure {that a} deal occurs, as the membership work by means of a number of plans to execute this summer season.
Chicago Fire
The Chicago Fire even have an open DP spot following the departure of Hugo Cuypers to CF Monterrey — apparently sufficient, Cuypers nonetheless is tied for the Golden Boot lead in MLS — and are anticipated to make use of it.
The Fire has a reasonably set and well-drilled workforce below Gregg Berhalter. The workforce is among the many greatest within the East, although it’s a clear degree under Nashville SC and Inter Miami.
Though Robin Lod has been effective and André Franco will return from a torn ACL earlier than the 12 months ends, the Fire are primed for a DP No. 10 to associate with the addition of Robert Lewandowski earlier this summer season.
Chicago Fire are looking for one other star to hitch just lately acquired Robert Lewandowski. (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)
Money isn’t an impediment, as the membership’s possession has among the many deepest pockets within the league, and the entrance workplace has a wonderful recruiting workforce and the teaching workers an outlined playstyle.
Chicago might vault themselves a lot nearer to the highest of the East with one large signing.
St. Louis City
St. Louis City already introduced in DP attacker Carlo Holse from Samsunspor for $6 million earlier this summer season, however with Marcel Hartel leaving, they’ll add one other DP. They stay available in the market for a DP No. 9.
The membership got here near signing Cuypers from Chicago, however the Belgian opted for Monterrey. The membership continues that chase in a remade workforce below head coach Yoann Damet.
St. Louis beat San Jose 3-1 this weekend, persevering with their run as one of many hottest groups within the league. City is unbeaten in 10 video games throughout all competitions and has received 5 of their final six, climbing to fifth within the West.
Further departures can come as nicely, together with fan favourite Eduard Löwen. The membership has acquired inquiries from different golf equipment within the league, plus some simmering curiosity overseas. Contract talks between Löwen and the workforce haven’t yielded optimistic outcomes and a summer season exit is feasible.
Latest switch intel from across the league
Atlanta United finalizing marquee Embolo signing
Atlanta United is finalizing a deal to signal Swiss worldwide ahead Breel Embolo from Stade Rennes for a payment within the area of $18 million, The Athletic reported this week.
Embolo, 29, is the marquee striker signing Atlanta has been working laborious on many of the summer season, alongside the departure of middle ahead Emmanuel Latte Lath. Atlanta made Latte Lath the league’s costliest signing 20 months in the past ($22 million, Middlesbrough) but it surely didn’t work out.
The Swiss worldwide had 10 objectives and three assists in 34 appearances (2,143 minutes) for Rennes final season. He beforehand featured for AS Monaco and Borussia Mönchengladbach in latest seasons.
Breel Embolo scored Switzerland’s first objective within the World Cup 2026 spherical of 32 match towards Algeria. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
Embolo will likely be among the many 5 costliest signings in MLS historical past. Atlanta United is chargeable for 5 of the highest 10. Beyond Latte Lath, Atlanta splashed the money for Thiago Almada ($16 million), Pity Martínez ($15.5 million) and Ezequiel Barco ($15 million).
Atlanta is working to overtake the roster below head coach Tata Martino however have had a revolving door of signings that haven’t labored out during the last half-decade. It hasn’t discouraged possession from persevering with to spend, with Embolo the most recent instance.
Cincinnati reject Hull City bid for Kevin Denkey
FC Cincinnati rejected a bid from Hull City for Togo worldwide ahead Kevin Denkey, sources briefed on the state of affairs inform The Athletic. The sources spoke below situation of anonymity as a result of they aren’t approved to debate the matter publicly.
The bid was within the area of $15 million plus $5 million in add-ons, sources say. That determine is a nonstarter for Cincy, the sources add. Denkey was acquired for $16.1 million a 12 months and a half in the past.
Further bids might arrive over the following few weeks for Denkey, who has 33 objectives in 61 appearances for Cincy. The 25-year-old was the Belgian league’s high scorer in 2023-24.
If Denkey departs, Cincy would open a DP spot.
Rangers bid for Kevin Kelsy
Rangers FC submitted a bid within the area of $10 million to the Portland Timbers for Venezuela worldwide ahead Kevin Kelsy, sources briefed on the state of affairs inform The Athletic.
Portland isn’t trying to lose the participant this summer season and Kelsy isn’t pushing to go away for the Rangers bid, sources say.
Kelsy, 22, has 9 objectives and two assists this season. He has been in sturdy type for the reason that league returned from the World Cup break and can get an opportunity to impress below new head coach Martí Cifuentes.
Kelsy has six caps for Venezuela. He has featured for FC Cincinnati and Shakhtar Donetsk in his younger profession.
Weekend notes
- Nashville SC thrashed Inter Miami 4-1, behind All-Stars Hany Mukhtar and Andy Najar, plus one other gaffe from Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo. Ríos Novo received the beginning job from reigning MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Dayne St. Clair however has had a pair of high-profile blunders. Lionel Messi began and picked up an help on Miami’s lone objective, however Saturday evening was all about Nashville. New signing Elias Saad dazzled, too.
Hany Mukhtar takes benefit to present @NashvilleSC 4-1 over Miami. pic.twitter.com/bkRadAu96H
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 16, 2026
- Chucky Lozano debuted for the LA Galaxy in a shedding effort, coming off the bench simply after the Galaxy had been lowered to 10 males when Emiro Garcés obtained despatched off. He didn’t present a lot rust regardless of making his first look since 2025, having educated alone all 12 months in San Diego earlier than the transfer to Los Angeles. It was the Houston Dynamo claiming all three factors, behind a Guilherme penalty kick.
Guilherme can’t cease scoring!
The brazilian nets his twelfth of the season to present @HoustonDynamo the lead.
Apple TV: https://t.co/J58J0leklX pic.twitter.com/r1uFHBNX0P
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 16, 2026
- A vigorous conflict in Florida between Orlando City and FC Cincinnati resulted in a 1-1 draw, as each goalkeepers made a number of large saves to maintain the sport low scoring. Homegrown attacker Justin Ellis retained his beginning spot, even as Marco Pašalić and Daryl Dike got here off the bench.
The dedication, then the composure!
Tyrese Spicer equalizes for @OrlandoCitySC! pic.twitter.com/nMh9NszGHf
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 16, 2026
- San Diego FC beat LAFC 1-0 in a SoCal showdown by which Son Heung-min was wasteful along with his probabilities for LAFC. The win pulls San Diego only one level under the playoff line.
Anders Dreyer is CLUTCH.
His penalty places @sandiegofc forward with solely stoppage time remaining!
Apple TV: https://t.co/pSEcHXsJbh pic.twitter.com/jBvRKr3DOf
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 16, 2026
- And on Sunday, there was a major second to concentrate to. Cavan Sullivan led the Philadelphia Union to a giant comeback towards NYCFC, with two assists in a 3-2 win. The Union now have 4 wins of their final 4 MLS video games.