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Top USMNT Transfers

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January 2019 Record year for USMNT transfer fees

Years from now, January 2019 will likely be revered as a watershed month for the movement of USMNT players and prospects, as well as the involvement of MLS in professional soccer’s $1bn+ global transfer market. MLS Commissioner Dave Garber proclaimed last fall that MLS would be a “selling league,” and the first available transfer window affirmed this commitment. MLS clubs bought, sold, loaned & accepted loans with dozens of trading partners around the globe, which surely has to be encouraging for MLS owners, players and fans alike.

In this piece, we will focus on the most notable transfers for USMNT players. We have broken down the impact to current, prospective and future candidates, with a short overview of the three (3) most important in each buckets. Have a read, and please share your thoughts! Also, with the beehive of player movement, we may have missed some, so please let me know on @DisgruntleUSMNT on Twitter.

Most Notable: Current USMNT Player Pool

Hope for the future

These players would presumably be first-choice starters for Berhalter at this summer’s Gold Cup. What will their moves mean for the short & long term?  

Christian Pulisic, Borussia Dortmund (Germany) to Chelsea (England), loan back to Dortmund. Did you hear about this one? Us, too! So we will not belabor it with any further commentary. We wish him best of luck in the long term. In the short term, there is virtually zero risk to his missing out on a USMNT roster spot. But our hope is that he can still feature regularly for Dortmund, who will face a grinding stretch of games in the months ahead in the Bundesliga, German League Cup (DFB Pokal) & Champions League.

Tyler Adams, RBNY (MLS) to Red Bull Leipzig (Germany). Adams has shown brilliantly in his first two Bundesliga matches for a club contending for a spot in next year’s Champions League.

Few would question his upside, and playing against better competition each week will only help his confidence and form in the USMNT midfield.

Matt Miazga, Chelsea (England) Loan to Reading (England). Miazga’s loan to Nantes was an endeavor to forget, but now he is back and playing full ninety-minute matches for a team desperate to win. (Reading currently sits in the Championship Relegation zone.) Some are speculating his USMNT CB spot alongside John Brooks is at risk, but a strong showing on a weekly basis should keep him in pole position. We do hope, however, that he lands in a better league than the Championship after this spell.

Honorable Mention:

  • Zack Steffen, Columbus Crew (MLS) to Manchester City (England), loan back to Columbus.

Will Their Transfers Help Their Cause? USMNT Fringe Players

These players are currently at the outer edges of USMNT roster consideration but likely increased their chances of a Gold Cup look with these moves, whether it was to a better league or to a club where they are likely to see more minutes.   

Keaton Parks, Benfica (Portugal) loan to NYCFC (MLS). The extremely fluid midfielder could not crack the Benfica first team after a spell there last spring, so going somewhere for first-team minutes was a solid move. Although some will bemoan his moving to MLS, we have to consider Parks took a very unconventional route to Benfica. He never played for a Development Academy team or featured for a USYNT, so he may have growing pains adapting to the grind of a top European club. Speculation aside, we hope the loan works well and lands Parks in a Gold Cup consideration, because he has a special blend of ball-handling talent for a US midfielder.

Matt Polster, Chicago Fire to Rangers (Scottish Premiership). The 24-year-old Polster has only one USMNT camp under his belt and has a serious climb on the USMNT RB roster chart, especially after Nick Lima’s showing in the January camp. But he joins one of the most storied clubs in Europe and will be deep in a title race if he can find the field for Rangers. Playing a key role in an important situation could go a long way should Yedlin or Lima get injured.  

 

Terrence Boyd (Rumor) SV Darmstadt 98 (Germany) to Toronto FC (MLS). The 27-year-old striker is likely to never see the field again for USMNT – in a meaningful game at least – but could improve his prospects by becoming the most prolific US scorer in MLS.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Caleb Stanko, Freiburg (Germany) to Cincinnati FC (MLS)
  • Ian Harkes, DC United to Dundee United (Scottish Championship)
  • Gedion Zelalem (rumor) Arsenal U-23’s (England) to Kansas City (MLS)
  • Gboly Ariyibi, Nottingham Forest (English Championship) loan to Motherwell (Scottish Premiership)

Looking Ahead: Future USMNT Player Pool

These moves could be compelling immediately, but are more noteworthy for their long-term prospects. Most of these players figure to be on the field for the US U-20 World Cup team this spring (assuming their clubs release them), and some could finagle their way into the senior USMNT through strong club performances. We list them below in order of most likely to make that jump.  


Alex Mendez (18), LA Galaxy 2 to Freiburg (Germany). Mendez has had a tremendous 2018 and figures to build on it by fighting for first-team minutes at Freiburg come spring time. He will start with their U-19’s, but Freiburg is a program that regularly promotes youth. Further, their table position should be tenuous come spring, and they will likely need ball-possessing midfielders to alleviate pressure and drive counter attacks in key games. If Mendez becomes that guy, he could easily raise his hand for a midfield role for Berhalter. If he does not crack Freiburg’s senior team, he figures to be contending for a first-team Freiburg spot by next fall and be a USMNT midfield stalwart for the next decade.  

Richie Ledezma (18), Real Salt Lake (MLS) to PSV Eindhoven (Netherlands). Ledezma has also had a tremendous 2018 and has a tremendous ceiling as an attacking midfielder. A recent injury means he will get a later jump than Mendez, but if he can stay healthy and work his way into the PSV first team, he will likely have a look from Berhalter as well. Regardless, moving to a program like PSV for the long-term cements Ledezma as one of the top USMNT midfield prospects alongside Mendez.

Chris Richards (18), FC Dallas (MLS) to Bayern Munich (Germany). Richards had been on loan at Bayern from Dallas since the summer and made the move permanent by signing a 4-year contract in January. He has been a rock in their U-19 team’s backline. He will likely not compete for senior team minutes at Bayern or USMNT for the next 12-18 months, but the fact that Bayern paid the transfer fee for him AFTER seeing him in their ranks for six months is hugely promising for the young Alabamian….and Gregg Berhalter.

Honorable Mentions:  

  • Giovanni Reyna (16), NYCFC (MLS) to Borussia Dortmund (Germany)
  • Taylor Booth (17), Real Salt Lake (MLS) to Bayern Munich (Germany)
  • Kevin Lankford (20), Heidenheim (Germany) to St. Pauli (Germany)  
  • Sidney Friede (19), Hertha Berlin (Germany) loan to Royal Excel Mouscron (Belgium)
  • Juan Pablo Torres (19), FC Lokeren (Belgium) to NYCFC (MLS)
  • Andrew Gutman (22). Indiana University (MLS rights: Chicago Fire) to Celtic (Scotland)  
  • Manny Perez (19). North Carolina State University to Celtic (Scotland), loaned to North Carolina FC (USL)

Say what? – why did these moves NOT happen (yet)?

Besides the commerce that actually transpired, we should consider that a few USMNT candidates were rumored to be on the move but ended up staying put. Here are the most noteworthy.


Kellyn Acosta, Colorado Rapids to English Championship. After being dismissed from Greg Berhalter’s inaugural January camp, Acosta was rumored to be the subject of bids from multiple English Championship clubs. Nothing transpired, and speculation is that FC Dallas (who owns a percentage of any transfer fee going forward) had a hand in nixing the size of the bids. Poor dude cannot catch a break, but our hope is he continues to show well for Colorado and maximize his USMNT potential.  

Emerson Hyndman, AFC Bournemouth to….anywhere. Hyndman enjoyed a decent stretch while on loan at Hibernian in Scotland for the first half of the season, most notably in his latter few games, where he featured prominently in a win over league leaders Celtic and a draw to second place Rangers. But Hibs elected to end the loan in January, and Hyndman returned to Bournemouth, but not first-team football. Last year, after Rangers elected not to extend his loan at mid-season, Hyndman made only one “token” Premiership start on the last day of the season, with nothing meaningful at stake for the club. This year’s loan recall appeared more to do with Hibs not wanting him than Bournemouth needing him, so we are curious why he did not land with (say) a Championship club on loan for the rest of the season. Guy needs to final a stable club situation before getting any serious USMNT consideration.

Andrija Novakovich, Reading loan recall from Fortuna Sittard. Reading doubled-down on their defensive posture by grabbing Miazga in the transfer window. But they currently have the fourth fewest goals in the Championship. Wouldn’t it have made sense to recall a prolific striking option like Novakovich? Surely, they will have to sell him and other players if they are demoted to League One next year.

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Concacaf Gold Cup is becoming tarnished

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Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

Not long ago, winning your confederation’s tournament earned a spot in the FIFA Confederations Cup, a prestigious competition held in the World Cup host nation the summer before the world’s biggest tournament.

The tournament featured the champions of all six confederations (AFC, CAF, CONCACAF, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA), along with the reigning FIFA World Cup winner and the host nation, rounding out the field to eight teams. The tournament was last played in 2017.

The Concacaf Gold Cup is a semi-cycle tournament played in the first and third years of the cycle. The CAF Africa Cup of Nations is the only other confederation that plays two tournaments a cycle, and in many circles, the frequency of the Concacaf Gold Cup and the addition of the Concacaf Nations League has made the Gold Cup a throwaway tournament for the USMNT, as it’s been six years since the so called A list player pool has played in the event.

It raises the question for FIFA and Concacaf: should the Gold Cup be played once a cycle, and should FIFA consider bringing back the Confederations Cup?

The USMNT won the inaugural Gold Cup in 1991 and has claimed seven of the 17 editions since. Only two other CONCACAF nations Mexico (9) and Canada (1)—have lifted the trophy, and both are contenders in this edition.

The USMNT has a strong track record at the Gold Cup, finishing first in their group every year except 2011. They’ve reached 12 finals, with a record of 69 wins, 12 draws, and 9 losses, scoring 189 goals and conceding just 60


Gold Cup Player Stats

Across 17 editions of the Gold Cup, the USMNT has netted 189 goals, conceded just 60, and recorded 50 clean sheets. Here’s a look at the players who made it happen, those who found the back of the net, and those who kept it out.

Goals


18-Landon Donovan
13-Clint Dempsey
9-Eric Wynalda
8-Brian McBride
7-Jesus Ferreira

Assists


16-Landon Donovan
7-Michael Bradley
6-DaMarcus Beasley
6-Alejandro Bedoya
6-Eric Wynalda
5-Clint Dempsey

Wins


17-Kasey Keller
11-Tim Howard
8-Tony Meola
7-Matt Turner

Shutouts


14-Kasey Keller
8-Tim Howard
6-Tony Meola
6-Matt Turner

Captain

10-Michael Bradley
10-Kasey Keller
9-Carlos Bocanegra
8-Tony Meola
7-Claudio Reyna

Gold Cup Manager Stats

Over the past 34 years, the USMNT has reached 12 of the 17 Gold Cup finals under the leadership of seven different managers. Here’s a look at how each of them performed.

Matches Coached


25-Bruce Arena
18-Bob Bradley
12-Gregg Berhalter
12-Jurgen Klinsmann
10-Bora Milutinovic
8-Steve Sampson
5-B.J. Callaghan

Matches Won


19-Bruce Arena – GF-52-, GA-14
14-Bob Bradley – GF-34, GA-17
11-Gregg Berhalter – GF-26, GA-3
9-Jurgen Klinsmann – GF-32, GA-9
8-Bora Milutinovic – GF-15, GA-8
6-Steve Sampson – GF-14, GA-5
2-B.J. Callaghan – GF-16, GA-4

Gold Cup Trophies


3-Bruce Arena
1-Gregg Berhalter
1-Bob Bradley
1-Jurgen Klinsmann
1-Bora Milutinovic

Conclusion

In the future, U.S. Soccer and the USMNT should clearly communicate roster expectations for the Gold Cup, especially if a full A-list squad is not planned. Transparency on this front is essential, as it directly affects fan interest and attendance.

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Club News

From Louisville to Lisbon: Joshua Wynder’s Journey with S.L. Benfica

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The current state of the USMNT has been at an all-time low since Couva in 2017.  One of the positions in dire situation is Center Back.  Tim Ream will be 38 by the time of the 2026 World Cup.  Chris Richards has too many highs and lows and has not shown his club form with the US.  Cameron Carter-Vickers and Auston Trusty have yet to perform for the national team.  Miles Robinson, despite what many MLS fans want to believe, is not good enough and makes too many errors, like the second Turkish goal on June 7th, 2025.  Walker Zimmerman has one World Cup left in him and he has a history of making critical errors as well, like the penalty against Gareth Bale in the 2022 World Cup.  Lastly, Mark McKenzie has improved his game since his move to Toulouse, but he is lacking the deserved opportunities and a good partnership.

Our U20 CBs will need to be called up sooner rather than later, either before or immediately after the 2026 World Cup.  The top 3 prospects by fans and analysts are Noahkai Banks, Matai Akinmboni, and Joshua Wynder.  Of the three, Joshua Wynder is the oldest at 20 years old and is part of a club that is world-renowned for their development, S.L. Benfica.

How did Wynder manage to accomplish such a move from Louisville City in the USL Championship to Benfica?  To summarize, Wynder had a breakout season for Lou City at 17 years old in 2022, so much so that he was included in the US U20 World Cup team in 2023. 

LOUvOKC.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

Wynder secured a spot to go on trial at Benfica and passed.  On June 8th, 2023, Benfica officially acquired Joshua Wynder from Lou City for a record-breaking $1.2 million transfer fee, which still stands today.

Louisville City FC, LOUvPIT.Photographer: EM Dash Photography

Benfica registered Wynder with the second team for the 2023/2024 season, who participate in Liga Portugal 2.  Due to Portuguese rules (players play in the youth system until they are 19 years old), he spent the season with Benfica’s UEFA Youth League team and U23 team and only received 21 minutes with the B team until a season-ending injury.  What began as a promising start, with the support of the fans, was cut short after just six matches.  The following season went according to plan for Wynder.  Wynder became a consistent starter for the B team where he started in 29 matches and appeared in a total of 31 matches.  He also scored four goals, all headers from corners. 


His success with the B team made him a fan-favorite and several calls to be called up to the first team by fans on social media.  That day came on April 9th, 2025, when he made the team sheet for Benfica’s Taça de Portugal Semi-Final match against FC Tirsense.  Wynder made his first team debut when he was subbed in at the 76th minute mark of that match.  He made a following appearance on the bench for the first team in their second leg match against FC Tirsense.

As early as November 27, 2024, it was reported by Glorioso 1904 that Joshua Wynder had gained the attention of the Benfica manager, Bruno Lage.  The report further said that Wynder was becoming an option for the next season’s first team.  A similar report surfaced on March 25, 2025, by Record, in Portugal, that Wynder is on track to be with the first team for the 2025/2026 season.  That day may be coming sooner rather than later.  Joshua Wynder will be joining Benfica on their 2025 Club World Cup campaign.  This will be a true test for him to prove to Bruno Lage that he is ready to be part of the first team for the upcoming 2025/2026 Liga Portugal and UEFA Champions League season.  If he is given serious minutes with the first team and performs, Joshua Wynder needs to be considered for the 2026 World Cup or immediately following the World Cup.


Benfica is in Group C of the Club World Cup with Auckland City, Bayern München, and Boca Juniors.  Their first match is against Boca Juniors, 33-time Argentine champions, on June 16th.  Game two is on June 20th against 10-time New Zealander champions, Auckland City FC.  Lastly, their 3rd group stage match is against the 6-time UEFA Champions League winners, Bayern München, on June 24th.

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A Legacy of Stars and Stripes: The Evolution of the USWNT Kits

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Thomas Deschaine (@uskeeper on X and us_keeper on Instagram)

The release of new kits is always an exciting moment for U.S. Soccer fans. Traditionally, U.S. Soccer unveils new designs during the spring or summer international windows. The USMNT did have their 2022 World Cup kits released in September, three months before the World Cup.

The USWNT recently debuted their new home kit during their last two friendlies, while the USMNT is expected to showcase their new away kit in the lead-up to the 2025 Gold Cup.

U.S. Soccer has unveiled two stunning new kits for the USWNT. The home jersey, dubbed The Brilliant Kit, will make its debut when the USWNT faces China. The away jersey, known as The Heartbeat Kit, will be worn by both the USWNT and USMNT. Both designs have been met with widespread praise from fans, with many calling them among the best in recent memory. I believe these are the sharpest U.S. kits we’ve seen in nearly fifteen years.

History of the USWNT Kit

For those who follow me on social media, you might remember a project I completed back in 2022, where I tracked the history of the USMNT from the evolution of the U.S. Soccer crest to the iconic team kits. Now, I’m channeling that same passion into a new labor of love: researching and recreating the kits of the USWNT to help preserve and celebrate their rich history.

USWNT Kits – 1985 – 1993

Forty years ago, the U.S. Women’s National Team played it’s first-ever match, wearing a white Adidas home kit with red diagonal pinstripes. But like many things in those early days, the kit wasn’t made with the women’s player in mind. The kits were designed for the men’s players in size and fit. For years, USWNT players were forced to pin back and alter oversized uniforms just to keep them from getting in the way on the field. It wasn’t until 1994 that they finally received a kit specifically tailored for women.

USWNT Kits 1994 – 2011

In 1994, the final year Adidas outfitted U.S. Soccer, the USWNT finally received its first uniquely designed kit made specifically for women. This marked the beginning of a new era, with the team continuing to wear custom kits through the 2011 World Cup.

USWNT Kits – 2012 – Current

Starting in 2012, Nike decided to unify the look of the USWNT and USMNT by having both teams wear the same kits. However, there have been a few exceptions over the years where one team debuted a unique design. A recent example is the newly released USWNT home kit, while the USMNT continues to wear the 2024 home kit.

USWNT and USMNT Kits Going Forward

Nike hit the most recent kit release out of the pitch, and it raises the question of what will be next for the USWNT and USMNT kit creations. The 2026 World Cup will see at least two new kits for the USMNT, with the USWNT likely wearing one or both of them.

For decades, both the USWNT and USMNT have struggled to establish a strong, unified identity through their kits. While some designs are instantly recognizable, there’s still a sense that both teams lack a distinct visual representation that truly reflects who they are. I hope that Nike continues to create kits that bring both teams together, while also allowing for occasional unique designs, once or twice per cycle, that capture the essence of American identity, something both teams have long needed

The true identity of the USWNT and USMNT is embodied in the Stars and Stripes, woven together in red, white, and blue, perhaps with the addition of a bold sash to complete the look.

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