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First things first, let’s address the Sam-sized elephant in the room. After writing what we can only assume were 10,000+ Daily Kickoffs in a row, our esteemed colleague J. Sam Jones has gone on vacation, proving that even the best among us must touch non-soccer-related grass sometimes.
Happy vacation, Sam! And keep an eye out for Sir Minty. Rumor has it he’s been on a tear since the 2024 MLS ball dropped.
Now to the matter at hand: more MLS!
“More?” you say. Yes, dear reader, more. Because though the Columbus Crew just put an exclamation point on a ground-breaking 2023 season via one of the more stunning displays of progressive soccer MLS Cup has seen, we’re onto the next phase of the calendar: the offseason.
And that means trades, signings and transfers galore. Let’s start with that first one, trades.
Arguably the most underrated roster-building mechanism in the league, trades can turn contenders into champions. Look no further than the Crew, who acquired three of their key starters – Darlington Nagbe, Rudy Camacho and Malte Amundsen – as well as one super sub – Julian Gressel – via trade over the last four years.
Here are five players teams should consider trading for in 2024, even if it costs a grip of GAM.
Joel Waterman - CF Montréal
One of the best ways to win in this league is to find yourself a proven center back who can eat up 2,000+ minutes a season at or above a league average level while on a team-friendly salary. That seems to be Joel Waterman.
Waterman signed an extension with CF Montréal ahead of the 2023 season that lasts through 2024 with a club option for 2025 and made good on that deal by notching his second-straight 2,000+ minute-season while adding 1g/3a to bring his total to 4g/7a across the last two years – not bad for a center back.
The fact he locked down a starting spot under coaches with systems as varied as Wilfried Nancy and Hernán Losada shows he can play just about any style.
Montréal are, once again, in a rebuild, so it could behoove them to pull in a GAM haul for Waterman as they plan for the future.
Connor Ronan - Colorado Rapids
Another player who inked a deal with his current team ahead of the 2023 season, Ronan was one of the few Colorado Rapids players who may have exceeded expectations in a down year that saw head coach Robin Frasier lose his job. A high-volume midfielder who can transition a team back and also provide the final pass, the former Wolves man created roughly triple the amount of xA of any other Rapids player in 2023. In fact, his total xA for the season ranked 14th in the league, just under the likes of Cucho Hernández and Hany Mukhtar and above Kai Wagner and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Ronan’s numbers were less convincing in defensive metrics like duels and tackles. With former Red Bulls manager Chris Armas taking the reins this year, it’s likely the Rapids will adopt a press-heavy system. Any team who wants a reliable midfield metronome with attacking-third talent may want to make the Rapids an offer they can’t refuse.
Brooks Lennon - Atlanta United
Brooks Lennon’s attacking numbers from the fullback position are undeniable (4g/10a in 2023). But do Atlanta United really need more in attack? After finishing 2023 with the second-most goals scored in the league, they conceded eight times in their Round One Best-of-3 playoff exit to the Columbus Crew. With Caleb Wiley flying forward from left back, plus one of the most talented attacking units in the league (even if Thiago Almada departs this off season), maybe it’s time to move on from Lennon in hopes of creating more balance next season.
At only 26-years-old, he’d provide a sure-fire shot in the arm to boost any ailing attack.
Frankie Amaya - New York Red Bulls
With 5g/5a in 2023 (tied for the RBNY goals-contribution lead), midfielder Frankie Amaya finally seemed to tap into the potential many saw when he went No. 1 overall to FC Cincinnati in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft. While his 10 goal contributions certainly jump off the page, particularly in light of only tallying nine total in his previous four MLS seasons, it’s Amaya’s work rate and defensive instincts that should attract suitors.
Every team needs proven ball-winners, especially ones who also provide technical quality and can get on the scoresheet. Amaya fits the bill, and his professional work in midfield this year helped the Red Bulls conjure one of the better expected goal differentials in the league.
RBNY may want to consider selling high on Amaya as they look to freshen things up amid the search for a new head coach.
Jacen Russell-Rowe - Columbus Crew
This one’s probably a hail mary, as a coach and GM who believe in youth as much as Wilfried Nancy and Tim Bezbatchenko do aren’t likely to depart with a 21-year-old who won MLS NEXT Pro MVP honors in 2022.
But maybe a log jam in attack forces the Crew’s hand this offseason. Russell-Rowe only played 527 minutes under Nancy this season. And despite putting up a very impressive 4g/3a in that limited time, he only played two minutes in the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs.
If the window of opportunity to acquire one of Canada’s best young attacking prospects is even slightly cracked, GMs and sporting directors would be crazy not to shoot their shot.
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