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MLS: 5 Gold Cup stars that could move this summer

By Jordan Meagher

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)
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) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 25: Alberth Elis #17 of Honduras and Emilio Izaguirre #7 of Honduras celebrate Izaguirre’s goal during the second half of Honduras v El Salvador: Group C – 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Banc of California Stadium on June 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JUNE 25: Alberth Elis #17 of Honduras and Emilio Izaguirre #7 of Honduras celebrate Izaguirre’s goal during the second half of Honduras v El Salvador: Group C – 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup at Banc of California Stadium on June 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Katharine Lotze/Getty Images) /

4. Emilio Izaguirre — Defender — Honduras

Emilio Izaguirre has been defending the left side of the field for Honduras for over a decade. With over 100 games at the international level under his belt, including multiple appearances at the 2010 World Cup and two separate Gold Cups, the veteran full-back has also been a long-time force at the club level for Scottish giants Celtic, where he collected 175 appearances, along with SPL Player of the Year honors following the 2010-11 campaign.

While the 33-year-old may have lost a step, he showed that he still has the ability to get up the field and contribute offensively at this year’s Gold Cup, where he was able to tally a goal and an assist across three matches for the Catrachos.

Potential Destinations – Atlanta United, Chicago Fire, Houston Dynamo

While Izaguirre is no longer in the prime of his career, most teams in MLS could either use an upgrade or depth at left-back. And even though a transfer fee wouldn’t normally be spent to acquire an aging left back, Izaguirre, like Eloy Room, could now be labeled as an attractive transfer target due to the expiration of his most recent contract with Celtic.

As such, an MLS team could potentially land a championship winning left-back with World Cup, Gold Cup, and both CONCACAF and UEFA Champions League experience for free. Both Atlanta and Chicago have indicated that they will be active in the summer transfer window and left-back is a need for both clubs, but the Dynamo also seem primed to secure Izaguirre’s signature.

With veteran defender DaMarcus Beasley set to retire at the end of the season and a number of Catrachos already on the roster, don’t be surprised to see Izaguirre joining his Honduran teammates in South Texas this summer.

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