The Houston Dynamo FC have pulled off something of a coup in the transfer window by signing 21-year-old midfielder Jack McGlynn from Philadelphia Union. A deal was closed for $2.1 million, with Philadelphia retaining a percentage of any future sale, and could make an additional $1.3 million in performance-based bonuses.
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But what's really remarkable here is how the deal was structured: It's only the second time in MLS history a club has used the cash-for-player trade rule, which allows teams to invest directly in domestic transfers without relying on league resources such as General Allocation Money (GAM). Beyond that, this is the first instance of a homegrown MLS player being traded in this way.
McGlynn arrives in Houston as part of the U-22 Initiative, which has already brought Ibrahim Aliyu, Nelson Quiñónes and Lawrence Ennali to PNC Stadium. The front office believes he can hit the ground running straight away, with club president Pat Onstad very crystal clear on his vision:
"Jack is one of the brightest young American talents in both MLS and the USMNT, and we're excited for his continued development in Houston. We expect him to thrive in our possession-based style of play, as Jack's strengths align with the attributes we value in our central midfielders. With over 100 MLS appearances, he is a well-proven player who will fill our fourth U22 Initiative roster spot. With that said, we are pleased to welcome Jack to Houston as we go into our 20th season in pursuit of making it a successful one."
In making this move, Houston Dynamo strengthens a midfield that has recently lost two key pieces. Coco Carrasquilla was transferred to Pumas UNAM in Liga MX for a club-record fee while Héctor Herrera had his, 2025 contract option declined.
What can McGlynn bring to Dynamo?
McGlynn comes in with great MLS experience, having played 99 games with Philadelphia Union, scoring 7 and laying off 13 assists. He was also part of the team that reached the MLS Cup Final in 2022, thus proving his ability to perform in high-stake matches.
Besides club soccer, he has represented USMNT, scoring one goal in three senior caps, having played a vital role in the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics, hence he is a well-settled figure on the national stage.
For Dynamo, he's an instant injection into a midfield that was already pretty solid with Artur, Amine Bassi and Brooklyn Raines. The club is very active in looking for reinforcements - the sights are set on signing a Designated Player No. 10 - so this midfield rebuild is far from finished.
Expectations for 2025
Ambition is not really hidden this season for Houston Dynamo, and this signing is part of their big plan to strengthen the roster and keep competitiveness in MLS alive.
The regular season opener against FC Dallas will take place on February 22nd-the fiercest of Texas rivals. This will give the first look at McGlynn in a Dynamo jersey and how he fits into the system.
The big question now is whether Dynamo has more moves up its sleeve. The fact that the club has continued to look for a creative midfielder suggests they do not just want to fill in but make a squad capable of competing at the highest level. McGlynn is an important piece in that jigsaw, and it remains to be seen how much of an influence this move will have on Houston's 2025 campaign.