2022 MLS PREVIEW
WHO IS THE NEXT ONE TO MAKE IT A BIG? MARCO D’ONOFRIO COUNTS DOWN A FEW NAMES TO KEEP AN EYE ON THIS SUMMER.
SUMMERMOVES
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he Major League Soccer summer transfer speculation is heating up! With the league getting younger and younger, more and more European sides are knocking at their door trying to find the next Tyler Adams, Alphonso Davies, or Brendan Aaronson. GOALKEEPER- GABRIEL SLONINA (CHICAGO FIRE FC) Slonina, 17, is already one of the top goalkeepers in MLS and is leading a resurgent Fire side back into the playoff picture. Multiple La Liga and English Premier League sides have reportedly expressed interest in Slonina so it appears to be a matter when and not if he will head to Europe. DEFENDER- MILES ROBINSON (ATLANTA UNITED FC) Through his tight defensive marking and excellent work in building attacking chances from the back, Robinson has quickly become one of the top defenders in MLS. The 25 year old center-back has expressed interest in staying in Atlanta, but interest only seems to be picking up. As evidenced by Miguel Almiron, Atlanta will pull the trigger if they can get a strong offer. DEFENDER- WALKER ZIMMERMAN (NASHVILLE SC) This one might seem a little out of left field given that Zimmerman is 28 years old. But with Nashville and the USMNT, he has proven himself to be a leader both on the defensive end and on set pieces. His experience and skillset are very similar to that of Geoff Cameron, who became a fixture in the Premier League/English football in his mid to late-20s. Given Nashville’s MLS Cup ambitions, a sign and then loan back to Nashville to finish the season may be the best option. DEFENDER- ALISTAIR JOHNSTON (CF MONTREAL) Johnston is one of the top right-backs in MLS and a rising star within the Canadian Men’s National Team. He has shown rather quickly that he can time his runs perfectly while avoiding being caught on the counter-attacks. If he can continue to work on his passing, European club teams will come calling soon. MIDFIELDER- SIMON COLYN (VANCOUVER WHITECAPS/JONG PSV) Colyn’s situation is interesting because he is actually currently out on loan from the Whitecaps with Jong PSV, Eindhoven’s reserve team. He has had a strong season in the Eerste Divise and so the question is whether he will make the deal a permanent one (his loan ends in June). He hasn’t cracked Jon Herdman’s CANMNT lineup in quite some time so that may play a role in his next decision.
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SOCCER360 MAY • JUNE 2022
TOP: Gabriel Slonina in goal for Chicago Fire MIDDLE LEFT: Miles Robinson for Atlanta United FC MIDDLE RIGHT: Walker Zimmerman for a press release of Nashville FC LEFT: Alistair Johnston for Nashville FC
