GOAL breaks down all of the major MLS moves in the primary window, assesses implications for players and clubs involved
The 2025 MLS primary transfer window is closed. The next window will not open until July 24, meaning the current league rosters are what we will see for the next few months. Of course, free agent signings will still be allowed, but transfers and trades are an hold until mid-summer.
And make no mistake, this was a window for the ages for MLS. Multiple teams broke their respective transfer records, such as Austin FC with U.S. international Brandon Vazquez and winger Myrto Uzuni. And there was the emergence of a new mechanism, called Cash for Players – an internal transfer market within MLS that is exactly what it sounds like, as teams can pay cash fees for players within the league.
The mechanism allowed the likes of Jack McGlynn, Evander, Lucho Acosta, and Daniel Gazdag all to make blockbuster switches over recent months.
The MLS transfer record was smashed, with Atlanta United bringing in Ivorian striker Emmanuel Latte Lath for a reported fee of $22M. They were also reunited with former club stalwart Miguel Almiron, brought in for $10M. For the though, it's been a rocky start to the campaign – it's too early to pass judgement.
Charlotte FC had the smartest window: they added a bonafide superstar in Wilfried Zaha and filled the gaps with role players who will be crucial to their success. FC Cincinnati, too, were successful. Sure, they lost Lucho Acosta, but they replaced him with Evander – arguably a better long-term choice for the club.
Some, such as CF Montreal, really struggled, while there are other teams that you just have to question, what the hell is the front office doing?
Both the LA Galaxy and LAFC fall into the latter category. The reigning champions are winless, stuck at the bottom of the MLS table, and have been torn apart down to their skeleton. LAFC, meanwhile, failed to replace key players they lost this offseason, and they're sinking as a result.
And then there's like Real Salt Lake. They gave their fans a bit of anxiety by waiting so long, but they ultimately got the job done. It took until the final hours of the window closing, but they secured a goal-scoring No. 9 in now ex-Sporting Kansas City forward Willy Agada.
A dramatic window, riveting and historical in many ways, to be sure. But it's closed, and so it's time to evaluate. GOAL takes a look at major winners and losers from the primary transfer window.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty Images SportWinner: Charlotte FC
The perfect window. Zaha has emphatically lifted Charlotte to a new level, while giving them star power on and off the pitch. The Ivory Coast international might not have had the flashiest of starts in terms of goal-contributions – two goals in seven matches – but his influence on CLT FC has not gone unnoticed.
In addition to the 32-year-old ex-Crystal Palace star, Charlotte re-signed attacker Pep Biel on loan from Greek powerhouse Olympiacos after he made 11 appearances for them last season. In 2025, the Spaniard has turned over a new leaf, and leads the team in goal-contributions – three goals and six assists in nine appearance.
Not only did Smith and Charlotte revamp their attack, they also bolstered their defense, bringing in a left back in Souleyman Doumbia – an area in which they desperately needed depth, with U.S. international Tim Ream their only real option on that flank.
Perhaps the quietest, yet smartest, move they made was the acquisition of Eryk Williamson from the Portland Timbers. An MLS veteran, Williamson is a top midfielder who has struggled with injuries in recent years. But if Smith can unlock his best, there's no telling to how good he could become in the midfield. A savvy player, with high upside.
All in all, a great window from Charlotte, and one that immediately makes them contenders for the top of the Eastern Conference.
AdvertisementGetty Images SportLoser: LA Galaxy
After losing Riqui Puig to an ACL tear in the MLS Cup playoffs last year, LA also lost a pair of midfielders to transfers in Mark Delgado and Gaston Brugman. They also traded away defender Jalen Neal, and star striker Dejan Joveljic to Sporting Kansas City for $4M.
Four key players who were all impactful during the 2024 season all left.
They replaced Joveljic with MLS veteran Christian Ramirez, whom they acquired from the Columbus Crew – which, all-in-all, was a great, inexpensive move. However, Ramirez is not the kind of player to lead a team across 30-plus matches. He needs another option to take minutes off of his legs – and LA didn't give him that. They brought in a U22 initiative attacker on loan from Botafogo in Matheus Nascimento, but he's featured in just five matches, all cameos off the bench.
No Puig replacement – even on a short-term deal – was brought in, though they did add 22-year-old USL standout Elijah Wynder to their ranks. However, he's no Puig – or even Delgado.
LA failed to replace what they lost. Period. Ramirez is a great secondary MLS striker, and Wynder has plenty of potential, but the reigning champions simply did not address their glaring needs. Winless to start the season and off to the worst start by a reigning champion in the league's 30-year history?
Just not good enough.
ImagnWinner: FC Cincinnati
One name, one word, one player: Evander.
He's been remarkable, perhaps second only to Lionel Messi in terms of attacking talent in MLS. Utilizing the Cash for Players mechanism, Cincy brought him in from the Portland Timbers for $12M after star midfielder Lucho Acosta requested a trade and landed at FC Dallas. He already has six goals and one assist in seven appearances, including goals from set pieces and both his left and right boot. He's been the perfect fit in the attack to replace Acosta, elevating those around him.
Cincy also splashed a whopping $16.2M for Togolese striker Kevin Denkey, breaking their transfer record to lure him. He has four goals in eight appearances to begin his run in MLS.
The club also exercised a purchase option on Luca Orellano, who had a breakout 2024 season and emerged as one of the league's top performers last campaign. The Argentine has excelled in MLS, and securing his services was a crucial move from the Eastern Conference side.
With injuries to both Miles Robinson and Matt Miazga to begin the season, the acquisition of Gilberto Flores – who Cincy signed on January 31 – has been critical, too. The central defender has started six matches, playing fantastic defense. Cincy hit on all three major acquisitions, and they're second in the East.
A near-perfect window.
GettyLoser: LAFC
It's hard to call LAFC a loser for the window, but in all reality, they've fallen short of expectations. They lost both Mateusz Bogusz and Cristian Olivera to transfers, and failed to secure top replacements. Bogusz, who scored 15 goals and recorded six assists in 2024, departed for $10M to Cruz Azul, while Olivera made his way to Gremio.
MLS veteran Jeremy Ebobisse was brought in as a free agent, but he's nowhere near to a Bogusz replacement – he's been a second or third-string striker on most days. Their big move was bringing in Turkey international Cengiz Under on loan for six months from Fenerbahce on a DP deal, but early return? The 27-year-old has just one goal in six appearances.
They made a move for LA Galaxy midfielder Mark Delgado, a smart and inexpensive transfer, but he's struggled to adapt, and doesn't quite fit Steve Cherundolo's system either. MLS veteran Yaw Yeboah, who was a 2023 star with the Columbus Crew en-route to their championship, was added through free agency, but has barely seen the pitch with just three starts.
It's just been a confusing window. They never replaced Bogusz up top – though, maybe they expected Olivier Giroud to adapt quicker to the league – and the Bogusz signing felt rushed. In previous seasons, LAFC have been careful and smart in windows – whether that's the signing of Gareth Bale, or bringing in a player such as Eduard Atuesta on loan.
This time around, though, it was incomplete. Time will determine whether their choices pan out, but as it stands, LAFC had a poor window – and their start to the MLS season is a representation of that.
