Total agreement on the destroyer, but if this is true, and listen to that and it seems to say that this info come from Mallouk, I don't think finding a max TAm destroyer would be an issue
Out at #SportingKC training: no Borges, Calheira, or Reynolds. Emir Karic has not received his Visa yet, but Moises Mosquera has. However, Karic was the most likely to contribute based on fitness. pic.twitter.com/rxlSVMWIbz— Daniel Sperry (@sperrydaniel94) July 14, 2026
Lee says the team is looking to add one more defender, and then the focus beyond that is to the attacking side of the field with the three discretionary slots. Says he hopes for 2-4 new players before the end of the window.— Daniel Sperry (@sperrydaniel94) July 14, 2026
I wouldn't have put Manu down as the player we needed most to upgrade on, but if it's with Gboho I will have absolutely no complaints. I agree on the d-mids. Berg Johnsen and the pick of the week from Davis, Bassong, or I guess Bartlett? Definitely a place in need of improvement, though it will depend a bit on if we land Luiz and Gboho and how they will change our primary shape. Garcia has been pretty integral to our midfield's ability to hold onto the ball. That said, I can't stop daydreaming of a 4-2-3-1 with the attacking trio of Capita, Gboho, and Luiz behind Joveljic... Man, would be just wild.
If you have the chance to watch that Soccertime, worth the time. they also say that the Moises signing is a "bring in a best 11 level center back" and I agree with Buzz's earlier assessment, Blorian is also a huge upgrade. Right back is still a question, but really, seriously upgrade at 3 of four spots and I'm okay.
Our upturn at the end coincided with playing Cleveland. So I assume he starts the second half. Same with the new arrivals, once they're ready. So, we can assume our starting 11: Cleveland No Idea Blorian Mosquera Karic LBJ Bassong Salah Oboho Capita Jovelic
Serious question: What is the role for Davis on this roster? I'm now and have been a fan, believer. But he's on $437k. Is that an okay wage for a midfield sub? Can we coach him into a right back (this would be ideal). If not, Bassong is basically the same player, different foot, and is now on $540k. both have MLS trade value, I think. And, will Mallouk actually use a buy out, or two? Will Shapi play for us again, or do we cut him loose and make more out of his $1.1m cap hit.
It sounds like he'll be part of the midfield rotation since it seems unlikely we'll get another midfielder. Lee said yesterday they're looking to get another defender, probably a RB, which would allow him to move fully back to midfield and allow Reynolds to be the depth there.
I mean, ultimately very important questions. I tend to prefer both Davis and Bassong in defensive positions in the midfield (I'm not impressed by either at fullback, very especially Davis who's gone from raw in the position to a downright liability). A rotation between those two and LBJ for the two defensive midfield spots is a reasonable start and includes a significance of playtime for all three. I don't feel either is overpaid for that role. If we sign a TAM-level dmid and they drop from CMs 2 and 3 to 3 and 4, I'm not entirely sure. But my instinct still says we'll need guys in that pay range for primary gameday depth and rotation, so unless we feel they're badly overpaid, I think both stay. Not sure what to do about Shapi. A buyout is fine as a fan who isn't spending the money, but that would mark a handful of high-dollar buyouts in the last few years, and that might be a red flag for players or agents. If we do sign a guy like Luiz (or Salah haha), Shapi is 100% surplus and not worth keeping. Maybe we could trade or loan him away within the league for a team willing to take a chunk of his salary and chance a flyer on his production? Manu, if somehow it happens and we land Gboho, should be pretty easy to trade within MLS. I think he's played to his value and I have no complaints really about his time here, and I'd think that an MLS-tested, fit attacking midfielder with exquisite composure would have some visible trade value.
Shapi's out of guaranteed years on his contract after this year. At this point if they want rid of him, easier to just play out the last 6 months of his deal and no pick up his option.
So he has a both party option, which I think means both parties have to agree to extend, right? I can't see doing that.
STL game thread mentions we're working on getting some international slots. I wonder if that means we have some additional pending signings if we can get some slots.
If my understanding is right, we were using four of eight already and just signed three more internationals, so to snag another two players we'd clearly need to trade for another slot. Jeez do we need to get our academy fixed up and producing, though. Rosters get tough when you're struggling to succeed with your domestic players.
We're actually out of international roster spots. The roster profile says we only have 4 used (Agyabeng, Bassong, LBJ, Shapi), but that doesn't include Capita, Borges, Blorian, and now Mosquera and Karic. We need 1 (or someone needs a green card) to be compliant.
And we paid for 2 what Chicago paid for 1 yesterday (we also threw in our waiver order spot so the Union can make Kai Wagner a DP LB).
Yeah those did look really cheap. Guess they'd rather them go to us than to a much more dangerous rival, haha.
Or not yet. 🚨🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah’s agent Ramy Abbas: “I personally do not know where Mohamed will play next season. What does that tell you?”. pic.twitter.com/et24Ql1O17— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 17, 2026
We are not sleeping on this window. that is for sure.The Mo to Bestikas kerfluffle makes me think that that Saudi is not a done deal, but we're still a longshot. I can't find anything new on Gboho.