Soccer 360 - CA (2020-03 & 2020-04)

SEASON PREVIEW

There has been a ton of moves this

offseason around MLS. Marco D'Onofrio

discusses five of the biggest transfers.

JAVIER HERNANDEZ – LOS ANGELES

GALAXY

This may very well be the biggest

transfer in MLS history – yes, even more

so than David Beckham’s or Sebastian

Giovinco’s. Chicharito will not only help

the Los Angeles Galaxy on the pitch

but will help the league attract the

coveted Mexican market even more off

it. Fantastic signing all around.

LUCAS CAVALLINI – VANCOUVER

WHITECAPS

The Vancouver Whitecaps secured the

signature of the Canada international,

who will certainly help bolster the

team’s atrocious attack. Only one team

scored fewer goals than the Whitecaps

last season and Cavallini is a smart

addition to help ensure that won’t be

the case again in 2020.

ROMAN TORRES – INTER MIAMI

This may not be the flashiest signing,

but the two-time MLS Cup champion is

an important pickup for the expansion

team as he will add some much-

needed experience. Although, he was

suspended last year for testing positive

for a performance enhancing substance,

he is still a valuable acquisition for the

team’s back line.

FRANCO JARA – FC DALLAS

Although Jara won’t officially join FC

Dallas until the summer, he was signed

as a Designated Player in January and

will be a welcomed addition to the

Texas club. The Argentine has been

plying his trade in Mexico with Pachuca

since 2015 and should have no issues

finding the back of the net in MLS with

his new club.

JAROSLAW NIEZGODA – PORTLAND

TIMBERS

The Timbers signed the 24-year-old

Polish striker from Legia Warsaw to help

address the issues they were having in

attack. It remains to be seen how the

youngster will adapt to life in America

or adjust to MLS but it is a solid pickup

for a team looking to make a statement

in 2020.

TOP 5

TRANSFERS

Portland Timbers

2019 SEASON: 14-7-13, 49 points (Sixth in

the West, Eliminated first round)

KEY ADDITIONS: Yimmi Chara (Atletico-

MG), Jaroslaw Niezgoda (Legia Warszawa),

Dario Zuparic (HNK Rijeka)

DEPARTURES: Zarek Valentin (Nashville),

Kendall McIntosh (NYRB)

It was a hectic offseason for the Timbers,

who signed two new Designated Players

in Yimmi Chara and Jaroslaw Niezgoda

after terminating the contract of Brian

Fernandez. It remains to be seen how

the moves will play out, but the new look

Timbers will definitely need some time to

adapt and find team chemistry.

Real Salt Lake

2019 SEASON: 16-5-13, 53 points (Third in

the West, Conference Semifinalist)

KEY ADDITIONS: Justin Meram (Atlanta

United), Ashtone Morgan (Toronto), Everton

Luiz (SPAL)

DEPARTURES: Jefferson Savarino (Atletico-

MG), Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United),

Sebastian Saucedo (UNAM Pumas), Nick

Rimando (Retired)

Real Salt Lake ensured that club legend

Kyle Beckerman returned for his 21st MLS

season and 14th in Utah. They may not be

the most exciting squad, but they will not

be an easy team to beat. It'll be difficult for

them to compete with the league's elite,

but they should be playoff-bound at the

very least.

San Jose Earthquakes

2019 SEASON: 13-5-16, 44 points (Eighth in

the West, did not make playoffs)

KEY ADDITIONS: Oswaldo Alanis (Chivas)

DEPARTURES: Anibal Godoy (Nashville)

The Earthquakes decided to bring in some

Mexican flare of their own this offseason

by acquiring El Tri international defender

Oswaldo Alanis. Alanis has worked with

head coach Matias Almeyda in the past and

the reunion should help bolster the club's

defence. San Jose will still have a tough

time reaching the playoffs though.

Diego Valeri

Portland Timbers

Kyle Beckerman

Real Salt Lake

Chris Wondolowski

San Jose Earthquakes

Roman Torres

Inter Miami