MLS: 5 Gold Cup stars that could move this summer

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CINCINNATI, OH – JUNE 09: Tyler Boyd (21) of the United States dribbles the ball in action during a friendly international match between the United States and Venezuela on May 09, 2019 at Nippert Stadium, in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

The CONCACAF Gold Cup: the top talents in the North American, Central American, and Caribbean region take the international stage. Could any of this year’s participants be headed to MLS during the summer transfer window? Here are five candidates.

Not only does the CONCACAF Gold Cup bring the best international teams in the region together to compete in an entertaining tournament for soccer fans across the globe, but it also provides a platform for the best individual talents to shine.

In turn, this creates an opportunity for Major League Soccer teams to scout and recruit new talent to help bolster their rosters during the upcoming summer transfer window, which opens on July 7th.

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With the 2019 Gold Cup already underway, here are five Gold Cup internationals that could potentially make the move to MLS this summer.

HOUSTON, TX – JUNE 21: Curaçao goalkeeper Eloy Room (1) sends the ball into play during the CONCACAF Gold Cup Group C match between Honduras and Curaçao on June 21, 2019 at BBVA Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Leslie Plaza Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

5. Eloy Room — Goalkeeper — Curacao

When picturing the top goalkeepers at the Gold Cup this year, Zack Steffen, Guillermo Ochoa, and Andre Blake are probably the first names that come to mind. But Curacao’s Eloy Room has the talent to hang with the likes of them, as he has already played a key role in helping his underdog Curacao team advance to a historic best quarter-finals finish this year.

The PSV man has compiled 150 caps in the Dutch Eredivisie and has come up clutch with a number of acrobatic saves in the Gold Cup thus far, including a record 15-save shutout performance against Honduras.

At only 30 years of age, Room still has a long career ahead of him and, if signed by an MLS team this summer, has the potential to immediately be thrown into the Goalkeeper of the Year discussion if his form continues into the coming months.

Potential Destinations- Columbus Crew, Real Salt Lake

During his time at PSV, Room never could seem to find his way to the top of the club’s depth chart and may now be looking to become an everyday starter elsewhere. With the Crew’s recent sale of Zack Steffen to Manchester City, and Nick Rimando announcing his retirement from Real Salt Lake at the end of the season, both teams are in need of a replacement shot-stopper.

While neither team is known for their spending on transfer fees, Room becomes a plausible signing for both sides as his contract with PSV just expired on June 30th. This would allow him to be signed on a free transfer. With a chance at signing a top-end goalkeeper at the best possible discount, look for either Columbus or Real Salt Lake to make a move for the Curacaoan in the coming months.

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