This is absolutely brutal news for anyone not employed by or a fan of the other 29 MLS teams. Riqui Puig is the most entertaining player in MLS. LA Galaxy’s season now up in the air.

Clever idea from Charlotte to -- if they can pull it off -- give themselves a boost at the start of the season. Harvey Elliott would *crush* in MLS and help Sir Minty's boys stack points in a hyper-competitive Eastern Conference before heading back to Europe.

Kai Wagner’s exit will be the biggest test of the Philadelphia Union’s “we can replace anybody and still be good” approach to roster-building. One of the all-time best in MLS at LB. Elite chance creator. Philly’s best provider. Massive loss for the Union.

A deal for the Charleston Battery to send USL star Juan David Torres on loan to Peruvian club Sport Boys is close, per source. Sport Boys will have a $400,000 purchase option — that would make Torres' Charleston exit one of the richest outgoing moves in USL history. 🇵🇪 💰

Since MLS introduced cash trades last season, superstars and young talents have changed hands 💰 Who could be on the move this offseason? @benwright.bsky.social dives into the best candidates, from an elite striker to top-tier budget options. Read ⤵️

Haven’t watched any of Rydstrom’s Malmo team and words and just words etc etc but that sure sounds like Nancy! Interesting hire.

A deal for the Charleston Battery to send USL star Juan David Torres on loan to Peruvian club Sport Boys is close, per source. Sport Boys will have a $400,000 purchase option — that would make Torres' Charleston exit one of the richest outgoing moves in USL history. 🇵🇪 💰

"Maybe it's because his name's not Declan-inho" - @joeclowery.bsky.social 🗣️ Does Declan Rice get enough credit for being really, really good? 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

The Philadelphia Union doing very well here to acquire a highly rated talent from the USL.

Lexington SC’s offseason has been unlike anything we’ve seen in USL. 💰 The 1st six-figure intra-league transfer in league history (Aaron Molloy) 💰 The *2nd* six-figure intra-league transfer in league history (Philip Goodrum) Plus key adds like Semmle. Fascinating investment in the 2nd division.

BENNY SCOOPS

Like this LDLT pickup for Charlotte. Crucially, they get a center mid who can help them progress the ball. Plus, they get a bit younger.

This Chancalay deal works well for both Minnesota and New England: ▪️ MN: Gets an undervalued attacker w/promising underlying numbers in a position of need ▪️ NE: Takes a bath on the initial transfer fee, but gets a DP spot back to give the club flexibility for Mitrovic era

Phenomenal pickup from the Fire, who look poised to be even better in ‘26 than they were this year. Lod can play as an 8 or a 10 or even a winger in the 4-3-3 or he can play as an 8 or a halfspace guy in the 3-4-3. He adds both quality and versatility ✅

Watch today's 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 on YouTube 📺

The new USL CBA should include bonuses for my annual top 50

LOL

1. Austin FC buys player. 2. Austin FC makes player worse. 3. ???? 4. Profit bsky.app/profile/joec...

It’s amazing that every team that buys from Austin FC has never watched Austin FC play soccer.

In the most MLS trade of all time, Toronto FC traded their first round draft pick to Colorado for a video analyst/assistant coach. Colorado then used that pick to select a player already under contract at their club for 2026.

I don't post personal updates often, but for those who follow my Substack/have noticed my inactivity there, I wanted to share that I've joined the Chicago Fire as a data analyst/scout. Grateful for everyone who read/supported my work, dating back to my time with B&RU. Excited for what's ahead! 🔥🆙

The rich get richer. Fantastic business from Inter Miami, who get maybe the best pure shot-stopper in MLS. Worth noting that Minnesota United could pay St. Clair more than any other MLS team — and he still opted for Miami. That says something about Miami as a destination club.

A new era starts now. Michael Bradley has been named our Head Coach. #RBNY 🔴 @oanda.bsky.social

Adding Jakob Glesnes and Riqui Puig to a Galaxy team that had already stabilized by the last few months of last season? Scary stuff for the rest of the West.

Your MLS offseason primer, examining the biggest question facing all 30 teams this winter for @backheeled.com. 🟣 Can Orlando's new starters raise their ceiling? 🟡 How will the Crew replace Nancy, Nagbe? 🔴 Can Dallas give Petar Musa some help? ⚫️ + 27 more questions

Smart move for both sides. Stroud fits the aggressive, ground-covering responsibilities of a Minnesota United CM. Red Bulls get a bit of needed cap space to help them add some possession-y types to the squad this winter. Plus, RBNY now have more minutes for their few highly rated youngsters.

me every time the rowdies make a signing announcement

Had a ton of fun kicking off the MLS offseason with @jeffrueter.bsky.social on the @totalsoccershow.bsky.social earlier. ✍️ Playing free agency matchmaker with Benteke, Espinoza 👀 Best coaching job still available 🆕 New eras for Columbus Crew, LAFC

the sentence “Lionel Messi Named 2025 Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player” will never not be funny

Who's going to stop Inter Miami in 2026? 💪 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 - watch/listen 👇 🍎: tinyurl.com/3e6srrtv ✳️: tinyurl.com/3xaahrmn 📺: tinyurl.com/4fcbfbtu

Watch our 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 with @taylorrockwell.bsky.social, @joeclowery.bsky.social & @jeffrueter.bsky.social on YouTube 📺

With another season over, I continue to be proud of the work we're doing at @backheeled.com. There isn't another place covering the U.S. game like we are. @benwright.bsky.social, @usltactics.com, and so many others crushed it this year. Excited for what's to come. Subscribe? Subscribe.

For @Backheeled.com: How Inter Miami and Javier Mascherano's flexibility allowed them to weather the storm against an impressive Vancouver Whitecaps team to lift their first-ever MLS Cup, and why anything short of a perfect performance isn't enough against Lionel Messi.

Inter Miami wanted to "control [MLS Cup] with the ball" and to get Messi involved "with the ball", per assistant Javier Morales. They failed on both counts. And yet? Messi hunted the ball himself, winning MLS Cup along the way. If you don't crush Inter Miami, they'll crush you. Worthy champions.

Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps. Trophies. Storylines. Tactics. Film. Stats. Coach insights. Answers to these seven key questions will decide who wins MLS Cup 🏆 Plenty of time to read before kickoff ⏳ For @backheeled.com ⤵️

Paul is a legend and this book will be excellent. Can’t wait to read!

The #USMNT get an extremely favorable World Cup draw. 🇦🇺 Australia 🇵🇾 Paraguay 🇪🇺 Turkey/Romania/Slovakia/Kosovo By no means am I saying this *will* happen, but Poch's team can reasonable expect to win all three games. They'll be favored in all three.

🚨 @totalsoccershow.bsky.social's World Cup Draw Watchalong is live! 🚨 We're about to get some teams drawn! 🌎 👇

🚨 @totalsoccershow.bsky.social's World Cup Draw Watchalong is live! 🚨 We're about to get some teams drawn! 🌎 👇

Our 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐰 𝐖𝐚𝐭𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 starts at 12.30pm ET! ⏰ Join @taylorrockwell.bsky.social, @ryanjaybailey.bsky.social, @joeclowery.bsky.social & @grahamruthven.bsky.social as the USMNT discovers its group stage fate!

Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps. Trophies. Storylines. Tactics. Film. Stats. Coach insights. Answers to these seven key questions will decide who wins MLS Cup 🏆 I don't think you'll find a better preview of Saturday's final. For @backheeled.com ⤵️

Just give Doyle and Wiebe a small budget and complete editorial freedom to make 10 hours of stuff worth watching on Apple TV every week, it would transform MLS overnight

🏆 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗖𝘂𝗽 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝘄 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 🌎 At 𝟭𝟮:𝟯𝟬𝗽𝗺 𝗘𝗧 tomorrow, we're hosting a live World Cup draw watchalong on the @totalsoccershow.bsky.social! Come hang out with us while you bite your nails about the USMNT's group stage opponents 😅 👇

Our annual surveys are my favorite piece of content we do, and this year was by far the best. We had almost 3,500 responses! Fans want looser roster rules, are torn on the calendar shift, and are getting tired of Messi mania. Read here ⤵️ www.sixonefivesoccer.com/2025-mls-fan...

Two decades ago, Wilfried Nancy arrived in Montreal with a backpack — now he leaves for Celtic as the best MLS coach ever. With an unparalleled impact on results, tactics, and personnel (including at MLS's worst club), Nancy is the GOAT. On Wilfried Nancy's legacy for @backheeled.com ⤵️

I wrote an in-depth preview of MLS Cup, breaking down the key questions that will define Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps 🏆 One of those big Qs: can the 'Caps exploit Miami’s man-oriented defense? Film. Data. Analysis. Coach quotes. More. ✍️ www.backheeled.com/mls-cup-7-ke...

Watch our 𝐌𝐋𝐒 𝐂𝐮𝐩 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 with @jeffrueter.bsky.social, @joeclowery.bsky.social & Taylor on YouTube 📺

Inter Miami vs. Vancouver Whitecaps. Trophies. Storylines. Tactics. Film. Stats. Coach insights. Answers to these seven key questions will decide who wins MLS Cup 🏆 I don't think you'll find a better preview of Saturday's final. For @backheeled.com ⤵️

Todd Dunivant helped build and maintain a one of the USL's best teams -- Sac Republic never had a negative xGD during his better part of a decade in the front office. Obviously, City Football Group only gives NYCFC's CSO so much autonomy. Still, I really like the hire.