Embolo Done! Colorado Hunts Winger, Hull Chases Denkey in Wild Window
MLS Summer Transfer Window 2026: What You Need to Know
Why This Transfer Window Is Different
Important Point: MLS is changing its calendar to match Europe’s summer-to-spring schedule, making buying and selling players much easier!
Historically, MLS’s summer transfer window has been awkward for two big reasons:
- Wrong Timing: It happens midseason instead of before the season like in Europe
- Too Short: It used to close in early August, giving teams very little time
Good news! This year MLS made two huge improvements:
- Extended Window: Open until September 2 (much longer than before)
- Calendar Alignment: Moving to match Europe’s schedule soon
This means teams have plenty of time to make smart signings, and more players will become available — just like in Europe!
Three Teams to Watch Right Now
1. Colorado Rapids
Big News: Just sold Lucas Herrington to Hull City for up to $23 million — a historic deal!
What They’re Doing:
- President Pádraig Smith promised to reinvest that money
- Can add one Designated Player (DP) + two U-22 Initiative players
- Coach Matt Wells wants to be "bold" if needed
Current Status:
- Beat Sporting KC 2-0 last weekend
- DPs Rafa Navarro (goal) and Paxten Aaronson (assist) led the way
- Top 5 in possession but 23rd in xG (expected goals) and 16th in actual goals
Shopping List: A winger is priority #1
Rumor Mill: Linked with Israeli forward Sayed Abu Farkhi — talks are "advanced" but not guaranteed.
2. Chicago Fire
Big News: Open DP spot after Hugo Cuypers left for CF Monterrey (he’s still tied for the Golden Boot lead!)
What They’re Doing:
- Expected to fill that DP spot immediately
- Already added Robert Lewandowski this summer
- Looking for a DP No. 10 (playmaker) to complete the attack
Why They’re Scary Good:
- Coach Gregg Berhalter has a well-drilled, organized team
- Among the best in the Eastern Conference
- Ownership has some of the deepest pockets in MLS
- Excellent recruiting team + defined playstyle
Potential: One big signing could vault them much closer to the top of the East (currently behind Nashville SC and Inter Miami).
3. St. Louis City
Big News: Already signed Carlo Holse (DP attacker, $6M from Samsunspor), but Marcel Hartel left — so another DP spot is open!
What They’re Doing:
- Actively hunting a DP No. 9 (striker)
- Came close to signing Cuypers from Chicago (he chose Monterrey)
- Coach Yoann Damet is remaking the team
Current Form: UNBEATEN IN 10 GAMES across all competitions!
- Won 5 of last 6
- Beat San Jose 3-1 last weekend
- Climbed to 5th in the Western Conference
Possible Departure: Fan favorite Eduard Löwen might leave — contract talks stalled, interest from other MLS clubs and abroad.
Latest Transfer Intel From Around the League
Atlanta United: Finalizing Breel Embolo Deal
- Who: Swiss international forward, 29 years old
- From: Stade Rennes (France)
- Fee: ~$18 million (among top 5 most expensive MLS signings ever!)
- Stats: 10 goals + 3 assists in 34 games for Rennes last season
- Pedigree: Played for AS Monaco & Borussia Mönchengladbach
- Context: Replacing Emmanuel Latte Lath ($22M signing that didn’t work out)
- Owner Track Record: Atlanta owns 5 of the top 10 most expensive MLS signings ever
FC Cincinnati: Rejected Bid for Kevin Denkey
- Bid: Hull City offered ~$15M + $5M add-ons
- Response: REJECTED — "nonstarter" for Cincy
- Why: Bought him for $16.1M just 1.5 years ago
- His Stats: 33 goals in 61 games + Belgian league top scorer (2023-24)
- What’s Next: More bids expected; if he leaves, a DP spot opens
Rangers FC: Bid for Kevin Kelsy
- Bid: ~$10M to Portland Timbers
- Portland’s Stance: Not looking to sell this summer
- Player’s Stance: Not pushing to leave for this offer
- Kelsy’s Form: 9 goals + 2 assists this season, strong since World Cup break
- Background: 22 years old, 6 Venezuela caps, played for FC Cincinnati & Shakhtar Donetsk
Weekend Match Highlights
| Game | Result | Key Moments |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville SC vs Inter Miami | 4-1 Nashville | Mukhtar & Najar (All-Stars) dominated; Miami GK Ríos Novo had another blunder; Messi assisted Miami’s only goal; New signing Elias Saad dazzled |
| LA Galaxy vs Houston Dynamo | Houston wins | Chucky Lozano debuted for Galaxy (first game since 2025!); Galaxy down to 10 men after red card; Guilherme scored PK (12th goal!) |
| Orlando City vs FC Cincinnati | 1-1 Draw | Both goalkeepers made huge saves; Justin Ellis kept starting spot over Marco Pašalić & Daryl Dike |
| San Diego FC vs LAFC | 1-0 San Diego | Son Heung-min wasteful for LAFC; Anders Dreyer scored clutch PK in stoppage time; San Diego now 1 point below playoff line |
| Philadelphia Union vs NYCFC | 3-2 Philly | Cavan Sullivan = 2 assists in comeback win; Union now 4 straight MLS wins |
Summary: What This All Means for You
- Window Open Until Sept 2 — Plenty of time for moves!
- Three Teams Loading Up: Colorado (winger hunt), Chicago (playmaker search), St. Louis (striker chase)
- Big Money Moving: Embolo to Atlanta (~$18M), Denkey staying put (for now), Kelsy attracting European interest
- On-Field Drama: Nashville crushed Miami, San Diego won the SoCal derby, Philly rolling with 4 straight wins
- Calendar Change Coming — Future windows will align with Europe, making everything smoother
FAQ: Your Burning Questions Answered
What is a "Designated Player (DP)" anyway?
Simple Answer: A special roster slot that lets MLS teams sign star players whose salaries exceed the normal salary cap. Each team gets up to 3 DP spots. Think of it as the "superstar exception" rule!
What’s the "U-22 Initiative"?
Simple Answer: A rule that gives teams extra budget space to sign young players (22 or younger). It encourages clubs to develop young talent instead of only buying established stars.
What is "xG" (expected goals)?
Simple Answer: A stat that measures how many goals a team should have scored based on the quality of their chances. Colorado has the ball a lot (high possession) but isn’t creating good chances (low xG) — that’s why they need a winger!
Why does the calendar alignment with Europe matter?
Simple Answer: Right now, MLS sells players in summer (midseason) while Europe buys in summer (preseason). Mismatched timing = messy transfers. Aligning calendars means both leagues buy/sell at the same time = smoother deals!
Should I be worried if my team hasn’t signed anyone yet?
Simple Answer: Not at all! The window is open until September 2. Many big moves happen in the final weeks. Plus, teams like Chicago and St. Louis are actively negotiating — these things take time!
Final Thought: This summer transfer window is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in MLS history. With the extended deadline, calendar alignment coming soon, and multiple ambitious clubs hunting for stars — buckle up!