The Los Angeles Galaxy have struggled for majority of the 2023 campaign, but Greg Vanney shook up his roster on Tuesday with hopes of creating a spark.
Diego Fagundez was acquired by the Galaxy from Austin FC in exchange for fellow midfielder Memo Rodriguez. In addition, Austin FC received $300,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) and could receive up to $600,000 in conditional GAM if certain performance metrics are met by Fagundez.
The Galaxy could receive up to $150,000 in conditional GAM if certain performance metrics are met by Rodríguez.
Fagundez, 28, has tallied 68 goals and 67 assists in 347 career regular-season appearances across 13 seasons played in MLS. In 19 league appearances in 2023, Fagundez has recorded two goals and two assists.
He previously starred for the New England Revolution before signing with Austin FC as a free agent.
“Diego is a talented, versatile and hard-working player who has consistently produced on the attacking side. We are pleased to bring him into the team as we see him sliding seamlessly into our style of play,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney. “Memo was a pleasure to work with and we wish him and his family nothing but the best.”
Rodriguez, 27, signed with Austin FC through the end of the 2023 season with options for 2024 and 2025. The Texas native began his career in the Houston Dynamo Academy, and signed a Homegrown contract with the club in 2014. Since then, Rodriguez has totaled 152 MLS appearances, 20 goals and 15 assists, winning the 2018 U.S. Open Cup with the Dynamo.
Here is a closer look at the recent MLS News:
NYCFC adds forward Julian Fernandez
New York City FC bolstered its attacking ranks in the form of 19-year-old forward Julián Fernández.
Fernández, 19, is under contract through the 2027 MLS season with an option for 2028. He’ll occupy a U22 Initiative roster spot for the Eastern Conference club after making the move from Velez Sarsfield in his native Argentina.
Fernández tallied seven goals and two assists in 60 combined appearances for Vélez Sarsfield. He’s also played five times for Argentina’s U-20 national team, including featured at the U-20 South American Championship last winter.
“Julián is a player we have followed for a number of years and was a priority target for us in this transfer window,” NYCFC sporting director David Lee said in a release. “He is a dynamic attacking player with high potential, who despite being only 19 years old, has already accumulated significant professional experience in domestic and international competition.
NYCFC sold forward Gabriel Pereira earlier this summer.
St. Louis CITY SC acquires Markanich in trade
St. Louis CITY SC were also among the moves on Tuesday, acquiring left back Anthony Markanich in a trade with the Colorado Rapids.
The Rapids will receive St. Louis’ natural first-round pick in the 2024 MLS Draft, as well as up to $150,000 in General Allocation Money, both clubs announced. $75,000 of that GAM is guaranteed for 2023 while the remaining $75,000 will be paid if certain incentives are met.
The Northern Illinois University graduate has made 13 regular season appearances for the Rapids over the past two years, logging 570 total minutes. He joins John Nelson in the team’s left back ranks.
“We are pleased to bring Anthony back to the Midwest,” St. Louis sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel said in a press release. “He is a hard worker and an aggressive left back, who will bolster our depth at the backline. We are excited to see Anthony continue to develop as a professional with us.”
St. Louis CITY SC have excelled in their debut 2023 season, sitting top of the West with 41 points earned.
Charlotte FC terminates Shinyashiki’s contract by mutual consent
Andre Shinyashiki’s time with Charlotte FC has come to an end.
The Eastern Conference club mutually parted ways with the 26-year-old forward on Tuesday, sending a 14-month stay in Charlotte. Shinyashiki, a Brazil native, scored seven goals and added one assist in 28 games across all competitions for Charlotte FC.
He was limited to just five appearances this season before cutting ties with Charlotte in order to sign with Azerbaijan Premier League side Netfçi PFK.
A former No. 5 overall pick in the 2019 MLS Draft, Shinyashiki won MLS Rookie of the Year honors that same year thanks to a seven-goal, three-assist output in his debut campaign with the Colorado Rapids. He tallied 22 goals and seven assists in 112 regular season appearances between Colorado and Charlotte.
Charlotte FC sits 12th in the East, four points out of the final playoff spot.
Quick Kicks:
- The Houston Dynamo added Polish midfielder Sebastian Kowalczyk on a deal through the 2024 MLS season. Kowalczyk joins from Pogoń Szczecin, where he totaled 19 goals and 14 assists in 157 matches across all competitions. He is a former Polish youth national team player.
- The Portland Timbers added Bryan Acosta in a trade with the Colorado Rapids. In exchange, Colorado will receive $150,000 in 2023 General Allocation Money (GAM) and $175,000 in conditional 2024 GAM if certain performance metrics and roster-based criteria are met.
- Inter Miami signed Argentine defender Tomas Aviles as part of the league’s U22 initiative. Aviles, 19, made his professional debut with Racing Club in February 2022 and has gone on to make 20 combined appearances for the team. His Miami contract runs through 2026.
- Atlanta United adding attacking help with free agent striker Jamal Thiare signing with the club. The 30-year-old most recently played with French second-tier side Le Havre, while also playing in Belgium for RSC Charleroi. He arrives in MLS with 61 goals and 25 assists under his belt in 227 combined appearances.
- The New York Red Bulls added youth to their roster on Monday with Juan Jose Mina signing for the Eastern Conference club. Mina, 19, is the brother of Everton and Colombia center back Yerry. Mina arrives in MLS with two assists in 26 appearances for Deportivo Cali.