As the CONCACAF Champions League and MLS regular season approach at a rapid pace, the stir of the silly season is finally slowing. That said, there have still been a couple major moves across the MLS landscape this week as teams look to finalize the shape and identity of their opening match rosters.
Let's take a look at some of the most impactful moves from the past week.
Rubio plays point man
Sometimes, it's about who you know.
That's how it looks with Sporting Kansas City's Designated Player signing Felipe Gutierrez, a Chilean national team midfielder who has landed at Children's Mercy Park apparently after conversations with his compatriot, SKC forward Diego Rubio.
Although Sporting fans may still feel the club needs another striker, Gutierrez is a former Eredivisie MVP who has also seen time in La Liga, and who has the capability to score as well as create.
And if he manages to foster an exceptional relationship with Rubio, who showed signs of promise toward the end of last year, it just might be one move that feels more like two.
A Real dream come true?
There's no substitute for intrinsic motivation. And in TAM-aided midfield signing Damir Kreilach, Real Salt Lake appear to have signed a player who has that in spades.
While many players in this hemisphere understandably dream of a move to Europe, all indications are Kreilach has been bent on taking his family to America for some time now.
And with promising young duo of Albert Rusnak and Jefferson Savarino already in the RSL attack, the 28-year-old former Union Berlin man could be invaluable, a more experienced anchor for them both to play in front of.
A call to Armenteros
Samuel Armenteros (at right) | Reuters
While the big question up front for the Portland Timbers in the offseason was whether Fanendo Adi would return, a corollary has been who might push the Nigerian for minutes.
The answer is Samuel Armenteros, a Swedish forward who is a year removed from a career season in the Eredivisie before a move to Serie A that didn't quite work out.
While Darren Mattocks served as a fine replacement when Adi battled injury last season, this is an obvious upgrade that gives new coach Gio Savarese more depth and flexbility in how he might choose to attack opponents.
Not Nguyen Anywhere?
Lee Nguyen | USA Today Sports Images
History suggests the situation may not be totally settled, but it appears the New England Revolution may in fact make peace with midfielderLee Nguyen after all.
While Nguyen is already under contract, getting him back into the fold after his preseason holdout, and hopefully bought in to new coach Brad Friedel's plan, would be a huge win for New England.
After a career year in 2017 as far as production, a full season of playing behind Krisztian Nemeth could elevate Nguyen's game even further.
