Rumor: 2026 MLS In-Season Roster Moves, Signings, Speculation, & Rumors

CITY 1.0 had one approach: "Find Germans. Bring me Germans. More Germans. Gegenpressing is the only answer." It worked for five lucky games, and that only reinforced the delusion. The CITY 2.0 approach isn't new. It's pretty much what every successful MLS team is already doing. It recognizes that the MLS style of play isn't second division Euro soccer. That's why it seems more likely to succeed. The focus is on making the playoffs and recognizing that what happens in the playoffs depends less on supporter's shield or golden boot standings than on finishing the season strong. One benefit is that it doesn't depend on one or two big name players.

EDIT: The difference between a respectable team and a playoff team is about 1/3 of a point per game. A 1.00 PPG team isn't an embarrassment. A 1.33 PPG team is a probably a playoff team. The rest is gravy.

 

Sources: The LA Galaxy have signed striker Kyōgo Furuhashi from Birmingham City. Non-DP deal for the Japanese forward, 31, who lit things up for Celtic, but had just one goal last season in the Championship.

Reporting with @greggevans40: https://t.co/aHC7eRuDcP

— Paul Tenorio (@PaulTenorio) July 21, 2026

 

Atlanta wanted to pay around $15 (IIRC) for this guy before Garth Lagerwey settled for Latte Lath. Galaxy just got him for free because he wasn't good in the Championship.

 

Kai Wagner went to the Championship and looked like he belonged. I notice a lot of the Championship guys do not come over here and dominate. Yet the money they are willing to spend is amazing.

 

#NYCFC will be looking https://t.co/ztNYKex40h

— MLS Transfers (@MLSTransfers) July 21, 2026

 

For how TFC usually spends this looks like a bargain. https://t.co/MnAUsQXnbe

— Evan 🐍🛡️ (@SoB_Evan) July 22, 2026

 

Miami is under investigation for tampering regarding the Casemiro signing due to LA Galaxy having his discovery rights as per Bogert and Tenorio. The exact compensation to Galaxy will be determined and announced after the investigation is complete.

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7463842/2026/07/22/inter-miami-casemiro-signing-mls-tampering-investigation-la-galaxy/?unlocked_article_code=1.zlA.1Tg7.1U7uBdkfmKAM&source=user_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

Inter Miami signs Casemiro, but MLS investigating club for possible tampering
“The deal is a short-term contract through the summer of 2027 with an option to extend through the summer of 2029.“

So, not available for the playoffs, or designed to circumvent roster construction and he gets something more substantial this fall?

Thx,

Jay!

 

Why wouldn't he be available for the playoffs?

 

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/74...&source=user_shared_article&smid=ta-ios-share

“The deal is a short-term contract through the summer of 2027 with an option to extend through the summer of 2029.“

So, not available for the playoffs, or designed to circumvent roster construction and he gets something more substantial this fall?

doh, Sprint season.

Thx,

Jay!

 

There are two sets of playoffs for his current deal - 2026 and 2027 sprint.

 

I don't know where you get he's not playoff eligible, just needs to be on the thirty man roster. Short term contracts run until the end of the year.

 

How can a player you never actually had be "tampered" with? Just another strike against the silly concept of discovery rights.

 

It's $50k. No-one cares about the money but they needed to inform the Galaxy before they approached Casemiro. That's the rules.

 

Galaxy said they've come to a settlement with Miami that'll be announced after the tampering allegations are dealt with, but I bet it'll be over $50k in this case.

 

https://www.mlssoccer.com/news/inte...brazil-manchester-united-real-madrid-transfer

 

#River 🚨 DC United 🇺🇸 se interesó en Ian Subiabre. Hay charlas formales de club a club a la espera de que bajen una oferta formal. pic.twitter.com/pONYLcc3pE

— Luciano García (@garcialuciano27) July 22, 2026

DC United interested in Ian Subiabre.

 

Erkut Sogut learns about the U-22 initiative on Linkedin, goes absolutely crazy.

 

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 BREAKING: New England Revolution are nearing a deal to sign English winger Jack Harrison from Leeds United, per sources.

Harrison will join Revs as a DP.

The 29-year-old made 219 apps for Leeds. Spent second half of last season on loan at Fiorentinahttps://t.co/xGUjuh70bV

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 23, 2026

 

Wonder how much the loss will be.

But also....

Atlanta after Darwin Nuñez and Breel Embolo. Obviously it's only one not both. Personally I hope they convince Nuñez. Miranchuk should be next.

🇺🇾🔴⚫️ BREAKING: Atlanta United is pursuing Uruguay int'l Darwin Nunez and is in early talks about a potential move, sources tell me and @PaulTenorio.

Nunez, 27, leaving Al Hilal this summer.

Nothing advanced yet but Atlanta working. https://t.co/q8glCYEqxj

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 23, 2026

Atlanta United in talks with various high-level targets, including Breel Embolo as @JacobsBen reported.

Atlanta held out Emmanuel Latte Lath from game last night as talks for his departure continue. If/when ELL leaves, ATL will have an open DP spot https://t.co/oPTENl4JW5 pic.twitter.com/RHnKaK5I6P

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 23, 2026

 

I think Embolo's style would be great for MLS, but so would Nunez. Atlanta has been really hard to watch these past few years.

 

🇺🇸🔵🚨 BREAKING: FC Dallas has signed 15 y/o USYNT attacker Benji Flowers to big homegrown deal plus a pre-agreed transfer to Chelsea when he turns 18, per sources

Chelsea can pay fee up around $10m (!) for Flowers. Initial $3m + ~$7m add-ons

Details:https://t.co/6CXc1PnyjD pic.twitter.com/CJ7x6IlF8t

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) July 23, 2026

 

Atlanta is going to lose no matter what. But yea, staying in MLS wouldn't be a bad idea IF anyone wanted him. I think Miranchuk would also do good in any other MLS team but his salary is what will keep other MLS teams away. IMO, a team like Montreal can benefit from Miranchuk.

🦅🇺🇸 ¡Podría volar fuera de Coapa! Alejandro Zendejas despierta un fuerte interés en la MLS. ⚽️ Rumores señalan que equipos como el FC Dallas buscan de regreso al atacante. ¿Será momento de decirle adiós a las Águilas? 🤔🔥 #ClubAmerica #Aguilas  #Zendejas #LigaMX pic.twitter.com/Ef9dlRtq4W

— Televisa Puebla (@TelevisaPuebla) July 23, 2026

According to this Zendejas might leave Club America. FC Dallas is rumored to be interested in him.