On Tuesday, Major League Soccer's Primary Transfer window will close, meaning teams cannot make alterations to their squad until the summer.
Between those two dates, major ground can be gained or lost in the standings. With enough time left to make a few last-minute deals, which five clubs most need to make an addition to their team?
Quick side: I highly recommend you read Matt Doyle's column one move each of the 24 clubs should make if you haven't yet. As always, it's informative and entertaining.
5. New England Revolution
The New England Revolution's season has swerved down a road replete with potholes and blockades — and the occasional smooth stretch. With eight points gained from 10 matches and an odious minus-9 goal differential, they may not be able to wait until the summer for that oft-teased Designated Player from Europe.
Information is scarce on that front, with no reports linking New England with a specific player or even position. Whoever he is, wherever he plays, will be a welcomed addition. With how well Carles Gil has performed over his first two months at the club, another successful DP would immediately improve circumstances (and aura) at the club.
Ten games in and four points adrift the playoff line, it's not too late to turn the season around. But it may well be too late when the Secondary Transfer Window open on July 7, when the Revs will have played 19 games.
4. Columbus Crew SC
The Eastern Conference is wide open. Columbus Crew SC have a terrific foundation, layout and floor plan; they just need one more centerpiece to drive business above the competition. That piece, as Doyle wrote, is a goalscoring winger. He's been on this hill a long time now, so here are his own words on why:
"But they also have an open DP slot and multiple open international slots, so they could also swing a big move via a potentially high-quality import. And they need it. They underperformed their expected goals by a staggering amount last season (to the point it nearly cost them the playoffs), and are actually off to a worse start this year. They've scored just eight times in 10 games all season."
With Atlanta United and the New York Red Bulls beneath the playoff line, as well as D.C. United, Philadelphia Union and Montreal Impact yet to truly separate themselves from the pack at an early stage, one stud winger may just make the difference in Columbus.
3. LA Galaxy
The only team keeping pace with LAFC happens to be their in-town rival. The scary part? The Galaxy haven't yet reached peak potential.
Recent center back signing Giancarlo Gonzalez hasn't made his first Galaxy start yet. Only six of their nine games have featured Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jonathan dos Santos, Sebastian Lletget and Joe Corona in the starting XI. In the four games when Romain Alessandrini joined that group, they were a perfect 4-0-0.
That won't happen again anytime soon, of course, as Alessandrini is out until September. Can Chris Pontius and Ema Boateng effectively replicate enough of what the Frenchman provided in attack? Can they afford to risk it in the event it doesn't work out and LAFC further create distance?
2. Sporting Kansas City
In February, prior to their Concacaf Champions League adventure, Sporting Kansas City was one of the deepest teams in Major League Soccer. Now, they have the deepest injured list.
There are so many players unavailable all over the field, but they are hurting most in defense. Matt Besler is out and the depth behind 32-year-old fullbacks Seth Sinovic and Graham Zusi has been slashed. They conceded four goals at home to the Revs, who had two red cards and previously scored six goals in their first nine games. More options wouldn't hurt and more bodies are badly needed.
1. Toronto FC
You know all that stuff written above for why the time is now for the Crew? Much of it applies to fellow Eastern Conference side Toronto FC, who have a higher ceiling.
With Alejandro Pozuelo, Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley, the club could quickly rise and stay at the top of the conference, which would mean the road to MLS Cup runs through BMO Field. They score goals with ease but have had trouble in defense, even after acquiring Laurent Ciman this offseason.
A few pieces of information:
- TFC could use a center back to reach peak potential
- TFC have the No. 1 slot on the Allocation Order
- There are center backs aplenty on the Allocation Order
It shouldn't be too shocking when, on Thursday, Paul Tenorio of The Athletic reported the club are in talks to bring US international Omar Gonzalez to the 6.
Would Gonzalez make Toronto the favorite in the East?
