USMNT Transfer Watch - Movers and Shakers

Hmmmm…feels like too much too soon to me. Especially in a World Cup year.

But Pat has succeeded every time he moves up a level. So far he has passed every test. I wouldn’t bet against him.

 

I read the article. Past the Pat part the writer talks about a 14 year old player. The writer says he may have a great future ahead of him. By definition every future is “ahead,” not behind, so I can’t take this writer seriously. (Half joking half serious; the older I get the less tolerant I become of bad cliches)

 

Cruz Medina on loan to Chivas is official.
San Jose Earthquakes loan Cruz Medina to Chivas | MLSSoccer.com

The San Jose Earthquakes have loaned homegrown midfielder Cruz Medina to LIGA MX powerhouse Chivas Guadalajara, the club announced Wednesday.

The 19-year-old US youth international's deal lasts through 2026 and includes a purchase option. He will join Chivas' LIGA de Expansión MX side, Tapatío.

 

USMNT January transfer grades so far: Griffin Yow returns to MLS with the New England Revolution, Damion Downs looks to rebound with Hamburg | Goal.com US

 

We are basically a Liga MX North academy at this point.............and a second academy to RSL

 

Cruz Medina hasn't necessarily impressed me.

I get it, though.

When you hire Bruce Arena, you know what you're getting.
And hell, if he doesn't have plans for a kid then its good that he's loaning/transferring him out.

 

Atlanta United set to sign Barcelona Atletic talent Adrian Gill - reports - Football | Tribuna.com

Barcelona Atletic midfielder Adrian Gill is set for a move to his homeland, the United States, with MLS outfit Atlanta United, managed by ex-Barca coach Tata Martino, closing in on signing him.

The 20-year-old is currently on loan at his former youth club Cornella, which plays in the fourth tier of the Spanish football league.

Gill emerged as one of the top graduates of La Masia a few years ago, but a long-term ACL injury curtailed his progress.

 

Yeah I absolutely know the "pattern of life" here. Im basically expecting a Skahan, Judd, and Kikanovic breakout because thats how it normally goes lol.

 

Horvath to Red Bull

🔴🇺🇸 Sources: The New York Red Bulls are closing in on a deal to sign American goalkeeper Ethan Horvath from Cardiff City.

Horvath, 30, spent first half of English season on loan at Sheffield Wednesday. 10 caps for USMNT.https://t.co/IRSXHSj1jx

— Tom Bogert (@tombogert) January 22, 2026

 

Dont hate it. Nobody cant say he didnt give Europe a good solid try.

 

What I've always found weird is his father is Hungarian. But Horvath is the Hungarian word for Croat. Horvath=Hrvat=Croat

I don't know how it influenced him, but Horvath's mother was the principal at Columbine high school during that tragedy. His father was a PE teacher and soccer coach.
Columbine staff reflect on Horvath family's journey to World Cup | FOX31 Denver

this is a great opportunity for Ethan to have some stability. He's been in limbo for years. This is an opportunity for him to WIN the job and have a secure place for years.

When you look at their keeper situation, its true. They need a #1. They have John McCarthy, a solid rotation keeper at this point. Then they have draftee AJ Marucci and two teenage homegrown keepers. Those two homegrowns are well regarded. Aidan Stokes and Tobias Szewczyk.

Clear opportunity there for Horvath.

 

guzan is going to un-retire and sign with rb the day after horvath signs

 

Josh Sargent has turned down Wolfsburg, Leeds United, Sunderland... Toronto or bust

USMNT and Norwich City striker reportedly turned down an opportunity to join Leeds United or Sunderland in the January transfer window — his heart is set on a move to Toronto FC.

Everton, West Ham United and Crystal Palace also made tentative enquiries about a deal for Sargent. pic.twitter.com/WbbG7tq3yV

— USMNT Only (@usmntonly) January 23, 2026

 

Fam wants North America?

 

The downside of getting married and having kids while so young.

 

Now that its exceedingly well known that Sargent wants to come home, I'm surprised that some other MLS clubs haven't gotten involved. Maybe TFC is already willing to spend more. Who knows?

There are clubs with open DP spots as training camp opens.......................

Maybe there just isn't a match between clubs that have DP slots open, need a center forward, and want to spend the mney.

My club, Dallas, has an open DP spot. They don't need a center forward, though.

 

It's a tremendous amount of money for an uncreative striker.

I think Sargent will be productive in MLS, probably very productive. I don't think he's going to be an elite, game changing attacker.

$20M for a transfer fee and then probably an outsized salary is a lot for anything but a Top 5-ish creator.

Forget the obvious Messi and Sons and even Bouanga.

Would you rather have Sargent than Musa? Now, even if you do, Musa is paid <$3M and had a $10M transfer fee. I'm not sure Sargent will double the salary, but at double the transfer fee...

How about someone like Gabriel Pec? Evander? Christian Benteke? Andres Dreyer? Perhaps Sargent matches their production, but he's sooooo much more expensive.

 

Man, that's all she wrote for me. The decision not to move to Germany over the Summer, killed my support, but I gave him the September window to change my mind, that was even worse than the previous tepid performances. I am completely out on him entirely. He's chosen family, fine, that comes with costs, and one of them is USMNT relevance. He's fallen from striker 3 for me last summer to striker 7 or 8 at this point.

 

Yup, same. Choosing family is fine. I would bet he is at peace with now being off the nat radar now. He knows what this is about, hes well aware. A bit early to be riding off into the sunset, but its his call and his journey in life.

 

I don't think his transfer choices are really relevant to whether or not he makes the team. All that's relevant is how good he is.

And the reality is that Sargent simply isn't that good. He doesn't demand attention, doesn't create separation, doesn't generate chances. On a club team that generates chances for him, he can finish at a second tier rate. Which ain't bad, but ain't good.

He's clearly a level below even prior strikers like Bobby Wood, etc., despite the rep. Bobby could get behind defenses; he made effective runs in the box and finish at that second tier rate.

He's not mediocre because he didn't go back to Germany. He's mediocre because he's mediocre. I actually don't know if there's a lot he can do to improve. He simply lacks a differentiated ability right now.

 

This seems like it’s going to happen

🚨⚪️⚫️ Understand Fulham sent new official bid to sign Ricardo Pepi: €32m fixed fee on the table.

Negotiations ongoing. pic.twitter.com/3uctCYiw3u

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 24, 2026

 

I wouldn’t put him as low as 7 or 8 on the depth chart cause who are 7 strikers we have better than him but he’s not in the World Cup picture and isn’t likely going to be.

 

Come on Earnie let’s get another yank or at least another MLSer in PSV

 

Yeah though the price tag is that’s because Wolfsburg was willing to pay and I assume some of his other suitors he’s not interested in.

 

Papers saying PSV turned down Fulham 32 million Euro bid. Fulham unphased and coming in again with higher offer. PSV's supposed bottom acceptance number is 40. Certainly exciting.