The Biggest Happenings in the Second MLS Transfer Window

The second MLS transfer window ended today, but there was no shortage of activity while it lasted.

The MLS offers two chances for MLS teams to trade players with each other and add international players.  Here’s a compilation of some of the big things that happened during the second MLS transfer window, with a focus on the last minute drama.

Fabian Castillo?

A major talking point of the MLS transfer window was FC Dallas’ Fabian Castillo.  There were so many rumors regarding where he might go and where he had been traded or not traded that it was hard for anyone to follow.

After a significant amount of confusion, FC Dallas announced on Thursday evening that the 24 year old has been loaned to the Turkish club Trabzonspor for the rest of the MLS season.  Trabzonspor has the option to buy Castillo at the end of the season.  They will have to pay a $3 million transfer fee for him, even though initial reports suggest the clubs agreed on $4 million, but there were concerns over Trabzonspor’s ability to pay the full amount.  FC Dallas even tweeted this, confirming he wasn’t leaving:

It turns out he would be. Overall, this whole ordeal was a mess, but Fabian Castillo is leaving Dallas and I have a feeling there aren’t many people happy about it.

Charlie Davies Makes Last Minute Move to Union

News broke last night of talks between the Philadelphia Union and forward Charlie Davies.  Davies, who missed a majority of the MLS season thus far due to a cancer diagnosis, has been with the New England Revolution since 2013.  The announcement came this morning that Davies was leaving the Revolution in exchange for Targeted Allocation Money, General Allocation Money and the Philadelphia Union’s natural first round draft pick in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft.

“Charlie adds another dynamic dimension to our attack and is exactly the type of player we targeted during this window,” says Sporting Director Earnie Stewart. “We’re thrilled to be able to add another player of quality and look forward to welcoming him to the club.”

This trade is especially dramatic because of Davies’ recent bout of cancer.  He is now thankfully cancer free, and he had his first cap with the Revolution this weekend for the first time since April.  The Revolution were thrilled to have him back again, but now they will sadly have to see him go.

Alejandro Bedoya Joins the Union Too

USMNT midfielder Alejandro Bedoya will also be joining the Philadelphia Union after leaving Nantes FC on the French side.  He’s signed a Designated Player contract with the Union, becoming the second Designated Player on their roster.  The only other Designated Player the Union has is Maurice Edu, so Bedoya’s signing brings Union fans something they desperately want: useful offensive Designated Players.  While Bedoya isn’t known for being the most productive scorer, he brings consistent play and an incredible amount of creativity to the pitch.

More from MLS Multiplex

• Javier Milei Elected in Argentina: Potential Impacts on MLS and Signings of Argentine Players
• Orlando City and New York City FC in the Battle for Matías Arezo; Grêmio Enters Negotiations! Who Will Come Out on Top?
• USA, Honduras, Panama, and Canada Close in on a Spot in the 2024 Copa America
• De Gea Turns Down Al-Nassr’s Lucrative Offer: Speculation Points to Possible Reunion with Messi at Inter Miami
• Messi’s Magnetic Impact in the United States

Notably, his signing continues a trend of USMNT team players coming from abroad to the MLS, which could prove to be an interesting trend if it persists.

Nicolás Lodeiro Signs Designated Player Contract with Sounders

The Sounders were definitely winners of the second MLS transfer window.  They signed Nicolás Lodeiro as they fired the only head coach they’ve ever had: Sigi Schmid.  Lodeiro brings a breath of fresh air to the Sounders’ midfield and offensive creativity it had lacked throughout the season.  He’s already made his debut with the Sounders against the LA Galaxy last weekend.

His signing could help usher in a new era of Sounders soccer, one without Sigi Schmid.  Lodeiro could help Dempsey find the back of the net again and help the team rise in Western Conference Standings as the season comes to a close. He injects life into a program that has seen stagnating growth this season.

This is a huge signing for the Sounders as they hope to turn the season around.  Even if they miss the playoffs, which they likely will, they can start winning games again which will be a huge boost for them moving forward next season.

Giles Barnes to the Whitecaps

The Houston Dynamo traded Giles Barnes to the Vancouver Whitecaps in exchange for General Allocation Money and a right of first refusal for Costa Rican defender Keyner Brown.  They also will be able to retain a percentage of Barnes’ future transfer fees, should he move outside the MLS.

This could come as a huge blow to the Dynamo, but it is a tremendous boost for the Whitecaps.  They are struggling in all competitions right now and they’re having to face a grueling road trip, that includes the Caribbean and Colorado in a three day period.

Hopefully Houston will be able to bounce back from losing their captain, and with the allocation money they received, finance the purchase of Keyner Brown in the future.  It could also help the Dynamo rebuild and reshape the program in the offseason, which would hopefully help them find higher standings next season.

Tim Howard Makes his Rapids Debut

Every soccer journalist in the country has probably covered Howard’s return and the MLS has drooled over coverage of it.  His return has brought the Rapids and the league an astonishing amount of publicity and attention.  Tim Howard’s return stateside not only changes the Rapids, but it also changes how the MLS is viewed.  Already another USMNT player has come to the MLS from abroad (Bedoya) and it begs the question: will more USMNT return to the MLS? Will more USMNT players come from the MLS?  These are certainly trends to watch for in the next few years, especially regarding how the answers shape the USMNT.