2025 MLS Flavors of the Week

Discussion in 'USA Men: News & Analysis' started by OWN(yewu)ED, Jan 2, 2025.

  1. 50/50 Ball

    50/50 Ball Member+

    Sep 6, 2006
    USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Seems like MLS has rarely held back anyone who wants to move since I’ve been watching carefully. They may wait a window but they all move. Jesus going to Russia is the only one I can think of and that was probably smart business for all sides.
     
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  2. Mahtzo1

    Mahtzo1 Member+

    Jan 15, 2007
    So Cal
    Another guy he reminds me of would be Beckerman. For me, none of those players are particularly flashy. We don’t often talk about “glue” players, but that’s what they are. Depending upon the personalities in the team, the right glue player can be more important than a star/“impact” player.
     
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  3. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I can't speak to Delgado compared to Beckerman, but I can say that Beckerman was the super glue guy for the USMNT for a few years. He was critical to the team.
     
  4. gomichigan24

    gomichigan24 Member+

    Jul 15, 2002
    Club:
    Manchester United FC
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    It’s usually just a timing things in terms of teams not wanting to lose one of their best players midseason. But it can be tricky to get similar offers in January.
     
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  5. 50/50 Ball

    50/50 Ball Member+

    Sep 6, 2006
    USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
     
  6. TheHoustonHoyaFan

    Oct 14, 2011
    Houston
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I don't know what the numbers are either way, do you?

    I do remember Kellyn Acosta complaining that MLS had blocked his move to the Championship while he was at Colorado and IIRC at Dallas.
     
  7. Mike03

    Mike03 Member+

    Jun 7, 2006
    Seattle
    Club:
    Seattle Sounders
    Shout out to Max Arfsten for a dominant performance on both sides of the ball in game 2 of the Crew v Cincinnati series.
     
  8. jond

    jond Member+

    Sep 28, 2010
    Club:
    Levski Sofia
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Gutierrez is getting his Mex passport.
     
  9. tomásbernal

    tomásbernal Member+

    Sep 4, 2007
    Club:
    Portland Timbers
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Dang, that would be a blow. But from Gutierrez's standpoint: he's a good player who hasn't yet gotten the shot for the USMNT that he presumably thinks he has earned. He could yet play for us in the future--he may be getting his passport in hopes that he could somehow make the MEX squad for the WC next year. Of course, FMF will be pressuring him to make his one-time switch all the while, even if they have no intention of naming him to the WC roster.
     
  10. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Gutierrez has been linked with a move to Liga MX for years.
    The passport also makes that move easier.

    With our injuries, it won't surprise me if Gutierrez is on the November roster. It also won't surprise me if we never see him in a USMNT jersey again. Could go either way.

    Gutierrez has been on the fringe thru a group of USMNT coaches and interims. A January camp warrior. Oh, youth teams too. He quickly went to the fringes of the recent Olympic pool. At some point, you're on the fringe for a reason.

    It is noteworthy that attacking midfield/wing is arguably our most talented position within youth teams right now. We have talent on the way. The assembly line will keep moving if we lose Brian Gutierrez.

    I like Brian Gutierrez. There's no reason not to. But its like Richie Ledezma. If we lose these players to Mexixo, does it really damage us. Really? Richie Ledezma came back to Liga MX and its like all of North America realized he's just OK. You don't see people on this board talking about Richie Ledezma anymore now that he's not in the Eredivisie. Is he actually better than Alex Freeman? Heck, is he actually better than Frankie Westfield? The assembly line keeps rolling.

    Speaking of fullbacks, Julian Araujo is heavily linked with a move to Liga MX in January. He hasn't played a second in the Premier League this season despite having returned from his hamstring problem of 2024. Many weeks not even on the bench. He's one that an MLS club might try to bring back as well. The scuttlebutt in the Mexican press (if you believe it) is that he's increasingly worried about a World Cup place if he's not playing. He wasn't in their last two camps despite being healthy.
     
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  11. Pegasus

    Pegasus Member+

    Apr 20, 1999
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I think Acosta was looking to leave FCD before he had a big injury which scuttled the move. He then came back had trouble getting healthy and I believe some personal problems and asked for a move to another MLS team. Some players are just unlucky on moves like Ferreira. He had a move to the Russian league down but right when war broke out between Ukraine and Russia and MLS stopped any moves top Russia. That league used to be around #10 but I can't imagine it's anywhere near where it used to be so maybe Ferreira really got lucky.
     
  12. BMWDeuce

    BMWDeuce Member

    AC Milan
    United States
    Aug 15, 2024
    From what I've gathered, Guti has taken a huge step this year as a player but there have also been maturity issues this year as well.
     
  13. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    I think it has more to do with this............
    Brian Gutiérrez in process of getting Mexican passport, national team eligibility: Sources - The Athletic

    Chicago turned down a sizable bid for Gutiérrez from Chivas in the summer of 2024, as previously reported by The Athletic. To play for Chivas, a player must have a Mexican passport. Chivas signed dual-nationals Richard Ledezma and Cade Cowell in recent years once each player got their passport.

    Having that Mexican passport will open some doors in club soccer. Perhaps, some lucrative doors.

    Yes, the passport will also keep his options open with regards to national team affiliation. Pochettino has actually called him up. Capped him twice. Lest we forget, he was on the Nations League roster as well. Was on the bench for that disastrous Panama match. So while he hasn't been an important piece this past year, he has been getting some opporrunities.

    Maybe with our current injury situation, he'll get back in for this November camp.
     
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  14. BMWDeuce

    BMWDeuce Member

    AC Milan
    United States
    Aug 15, 2024
    Oh I get it, I believe he was in the March camp too and didn't play cause of illness (could be wrong there) so Poch knows him. I was more generally talking about some issues I've heard in MLS this year, but I do think he much like Owen Wolff are worth looks
     
  15. BMWDeuce

    BMWDeuce Member

    AC Milan
    United States
    Aug 15, 2024
  16. 50/50 Ball

    50/50 Ball Member+

    Sep 6, 2006
    USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    And all 4 have been capped this year. Makes me think back to the start of the season where a poster got mad when I corrected the stilly notion that Roldan was any kind of role player for Seattle.
     
  17. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    #2067 Clint Eastwood, Nov 5, 2025
    Last edited: Nov 5, 2025
    I don't think we posted this here, so might as well. New England has been in the doldrums since Arena was ousted. Or fell on his sword. Or whatever the hell happened there happened. Peyton Miller is the player whose development we're most interested in there. [Amazing what's happened to Noel Buck. I couldn't remember his name and then I didn't realize he's moved to San Jose. Where he didn't play.]
     
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  18. 50/50 Ball

    50/50 Ball Member+

    Sep 6, 2006
    USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Hopefully this signals a return to academy heavy team that seemed to be coming under Bruce.
     
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  19. Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood Member+

    Dec 23, 2003
    Somerville, MA
    Club:
    FC Dallas
    We'll see. Revs2 in MLSNP had a good season.

    If people want to know if coaching matters........................the Revs before and after Bruce Arena is a good barometer. Disaster under Friedel, Supporter's Shield under Arena, disaster under Porter.

    Their roster is so nondescript.

    New England fans are on Andrew Farrell retirement watch.
    A very, very, very popular player. Didn't play a lot this season.
    His contract ran out so we'll see what happens.

    Andrew Farrell's Future With New England Revolution Unknown
    If this is the last time that Farrell has played for New England, he will be dearly missed. His smile lit up any room he stepped into, and the passion he had for the game was unmatched. Whatever is next for Farrell, he will have a whole lot of people cheering him on.
     
  20. NietzscheIsDead

    NietzscheIsDead Member+

    NO WAR
    United States
    May 31, 2019
    NO WAR
    Watching them play, Roldan is the best player on the team and has been for some time. I’m sure that many would have a hard time admitting that he’s anywhere near as good as Obed Vargas. :ROFLMAO:.

    The guy is good.
     
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  21. NietzscheIsDead

    NietzscheIsDead Member+

    NO WAR
    United States
    May 31, 2019
    NO WAR
    Watching players grow into better and better players as they overcome competitive adversity is one of the things that makes sports enjoyable to follow.

    Arfsten has grown A TON over 2025. No other US player has grown more, not even Malik Tillman who has also grown a ton. Arfsten can play in any league in the world and be successful. In my opinion, he’s the best American player in MLS.

    Props to Pochettino’s team (or Gooch or whoever it is offering scouting) for identifying Arfsten and getting him moving forward.

    Arfsten is the kind of guy we always wanted to see more of in the US: highly skilled, bold, smart, good on the ball, good off the ball, thinking, probing, skinning defenders, creating chances, and with a ruthless attacking mindset and disposition. He’s really fun to watch.
     
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  22. 50/50 Ball

    50/50 Ball Member+

    Sep 6, 2006
    USA
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    I’d say he’s been the bell cow since at least 2022. Lodeiro missed a lot of 2021 and the team plowed on without him and then Roldan lead them to winning CCL. That’s when I think most people realized the situation.
     
  23. NietzscheIsDead

    NietzscheIsDead Member+

    NO WAR
    United States
    May 31, 2019
    NO WAR
    It’s tough to see through marketing unless you have enough experience in the game to understand what’s happening on the field. Some data guys can see though it to some degree.

    You never watch Roldan and go “this guy is bad at ____”, but you do watch and go “man, that was a solid pass”, “that was a fantastic through ball”, “that was a really smart tackle”, etc, etc. He’s a high level player who is really good at several things and rarely does anything wrong. In other words, a coaches dream. A complete player. Then you tack on the leadership side.
     
  24. TheHoustonHoyaFan

    Oct 14, 2011
    Houston
    Club:
    FC Schalke 04
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Currently watching Roldan battle Trapp in the win or go home 3rd match between Sounders and MUFC..
     
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  25. melatoninlol

    melatoninlol Member

    Seattle Sounders
    United States
    Oct 27, 2019
    Near Boston
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Terrorists win. Seattle absolutely threw that match having a lead and a man advantage, and then after rescuing themselves with a late Jordan Morris equalizer lose on pens. Thomas saved more than DSC did but going all the way to keeper pens isn't good enough. LAFC or Vancouver is probably going to slaughter Minnesota if they even get that far
     

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