photo by Kirby Lee/USA Today Sports
By FRANCO PANIZO
The moves are done and the rosters finalized. What a summer it was.
MLS had arguably the most impressive summer transfer window in league history these last couple of months, as superstar players and other noticeable and talented names were brought in seemingly by the dozen. From Didier Drogba to Giovani Dos Santos to Andrea Pirlo, MLS received an injection of notoriety after its clubs began to wheel and deal for some of the more recognizable figures in the sport today.
It was not just the big-time players, either. Using the recently-introduced Targeted Allocation Money mechanism, clubs also bolstered their squads for the final few months of the season by adding skilled veterans like Tranquillo Barnetta, Herculez Gomez, and Roman Torres.
All in all, it was a busy and entertaining summer on the transfer window front. A question that remains, however, is which club did the best in adding talent to its squad.
Was it the LA Galaxy? Seattle Sounders? Someone else? Take a look at the summer some of these clubs had and cast your vote in the poll below:
LA GALAXY
Making a splash in the summer is not something new for the Galaxy, which added Designated Players Giovani Dos Santos and Steven Gerrard to the fold in recent weeks. Gerrard was initially signed in January, but joined the club in July before making his debut. LA did part ways with Panamanian goalkeeper Jamie Penedo last month, but replaced him quickly by trading for Orlando City veteran and former Galaxy starter Donovan Ricketts.
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Has their wheeling and dealing even finished? The Sounders added Panama captain and imposing centerback Roman Torres on Wednesday, but he was hardly the only player added to a talented squad that is quickly slipping down the standings. Other veterans brought over were Paraguayan forward Nelson Valdez via a Designated Player deal, and Austrian attacking midfielder Andreas Ivanschitz.
MONTREAL IMPACT
Didier Drogba has yet to make his debut for the club, but his signing has already proved to be a positive for Montreal. The Impact have received plenty of attention for signing the powerful striker as a Designated Player, and they also filled their squad with the additions of Costa Rican international Johan Venegas and promising Canadian youngster Kyle Bekker. Montreal did rid itself of some players, including Jack McInerney and Bakary Soumare via trade and Adrian Lopez Rodriguez.
NEW YORK RED BULLS
There was no superstar added to the squad or a bevy of moves made, but the club did bolster its depth with the additions of a younger Designated Player from Argentina and recognizable veteran from England. The Red Bulls limited themselves to just two moves this summer, signing Gonzalo Veron to a DP deal and Shaun Wright-Phillips – brother of New York forward Bradley Wright-Phillips – to deals. Both are expected to contribute in the immediate future, but it is Veron that is being counted on to help for the long-term.
NEW YORK CITY FC
The struggling expansion club made a number of moves to try and improve its roster for a playoff push. NYCFC added Andrea Pirlo shortly after seeing fellow Designated Player Frank Lampard, who was signed last year, join the club at last. New York City FC also tried to boost its troubled back line, acquiring Spanish veteran Andoni Iraola and skilled youngster Angelino. There was also the deal to bring over Colombian centerback Jefferson Mena.
TORONTO FC
Already seen as one of the more expensive clubs in MLS, Toronto FC only added to that with the moves it made this summer. Toronto brought over former U.S. Men’s National Team forward Herculez Gomez from Liga MX, and also landed veteran right back Josh Williams off of waivers and French defender Ahmed Kantari on a free transfer. The Canadian side also traded Warren Creavalle, cut Bright Dike, witness Steven Caldwell retire, and saw Gilberto to leave for the Chicago Fire.
HOUSTON DYNAMO
Designated Player Erick ‘Cubo’ Torres arrived at last, and he was not alone. The Dynamo signed Nigerian midfielder Rasheed Olabiyi, and defender Sheanon Williams via a trade. The other transaction made was sending inactive veteran fullback Corey Ashe to Orlando City in exchange for allocation money and a second-round draft pick.
COLUMBUS CREW
Gregg Berhalter was just as busy being sporting director this summer as he was being head coach. The Crew added more depth and talent to their squad by signing Ghanaian international Harrison Afful and Argentine Gaston Sauro. Columbus also traded a second-round draft selection for Jack McInerney, who should be a serviceable back-up to red-hot striker Kei Kamara. The club got a second-round pick back, however, by sending Adam Bedell to Orlando City. Kalen Ryden was shown the exit door, getting waived earlier this month.
PORTLAND TIMBERS
In need of some help to climb back into the thick of things in the competitive Western Conference, the Timbers signed a Designated Player in speedy Argentine attacker Lucas Melano. Portland also rewarded rookie Anthony Manning with a contract after seeing him play in USL with Timbers 2.
PHILADELPHIA UNION
Out with the old and in with the new. The Union made a few moves to try and move out of the Eastern Conference cellar, trading away long-time player Sheanon Williams to the Houston Dynamo for allocation money and future considerations while also signing Swiss international Tranquillo Barnetta via the use of TAM.
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