THE GOOD, THE BAD & THE UGLY

SUMMERMOVES

The 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 T 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 playo 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 o er.

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 Geo

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.

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

TOP: Simon Colyn for Vancouver Whitecaps

TOP RIGHT: Midfielder Cade Cowell for San Jose

SECOND ROW FROM TOP, LEFT: Moses Nyeman, in action for New England Revolution

SECOND ROW FROM TOP, RIGHT: Paxton Aaronson for Philadelphia Union

THIRD ROW FROM TOP, LEFT: Adam Buksa celebrating

THIRD ROW FROM TOP, RIGHT: Facundo Torres posing for Orlando City FC MIDFIELDER- CADE COWELL (SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKES) Cowell is one of the top wingers in MLS and is one of the few bright spots for a struggling Earthquakes side. The 18 year old Homegrown player has excellent footwork and fantastic vision for picking out his teammates in the box. The one thing holding him back is San Jose’s disorganized front o ce. Although a longshot, he could still make a case for a spot at the World Cup if he can play for a better side.

MIDFIELDER- MOSES NYEMAN (D.C. UNITED) Nyeman appears to be the next of D.C. United’s homegrown players to be making the jump abroad. His speed and precision passes in the midfield make him a dangerous player for any defense. At 18 and with 32 appearances under his belt for the Black and Red, this could be a very big year for him. D.C. finally seem to be getting the idea that they need to re-sell their Homegrown players at the peak of their value, as evidenced by Kevin Paredes heading o to VFL Wolfsburg in the winter.

MIDFIELDER- PAXTEN AARONSON (PHILADELPHIA UNION) Aaronson, the younger brother of Red Bull Salzburg’s Brendan Aaronson, has become a key cog in the Philadelphia midfield. Much like his brother, he his work on and o of the ball is impeccable and can transition a side from a defensive to attacking posture at a variety of speeds. The Union won’t move him this summer unless they are out of the playo s. But a transfer and then loan back isn’t exactly out of the question.

FORWARD- FACUNDO TORRES (ORLANDO CITY SC) Torres, 21, has breathed new life into the sleeping lion that is the Orlando City attack. The Uruguayan international speed and pace have broken apart MLS defenses all season long. He’s already become a regular on Uruguay’s eighteen man roster and seems to finally be breaking through into the starting eleven. If he can make their Copa America roster and keep up his form, European suitors will come calling.

FORWARD- ADAM BUKSA (NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION) Buksa demolished MLS defenses last season, scoring 16 goals in 31 appearances. The Polish international has expressed an interest in returning to Europe, to cement his spot with the National Team ahead of the World Cup. What will be interesting to see is if Arena would be willing to do it. Given the Revs playo ambitions, it will have to be a very strong o er.

FORWARD- ALAN VELASCO (FC DALLAS) Velasco just got to Dallas this o season, but he has already made a name for himself as one of the top attacking talents in MLS. The 19 year old Argentine has electric speed and can tear apart defenses with his diagonal runs towards goal. This window might be a bit early, but if he can get the Dallas attack rolling European suitors will follow.