Recent changes in MLS the availability of free agency has made the market stronger and deeper. The age distribution is diverse, as are the profiles of those who qualify.
This year’s MLS free agent lineup includes a center back and central midfielder with USMNT experience, a veteran World Cup left-back hitting his prime, an MLS Cup-winning fullback; a top left back of 2023; more than a few former big-time designated players (DPs) and many former MVPs.
Some of these players may re-sign with their current teams and some may go abroad. Any other MLS players out of contract but not eligible for free agency can go in the re-entry draft or earn their MLS rights in a trade to sign elsewhere.
With all that said, here’s the big MLS 2024 free agency board.
The six best available
Miles Robinson
Now is the time for Robinson to go to Europe if he wants to. But if he stays in MLS, it will be on a lucrative contract. As things stand, he is the best free agent on the board.
Robinson has been in talks to return Atlanta United, but those talks appear to be at an impasse. Robinson has seen the other USMNT center back Walker Zimmerman established a new market for defenders with its deal with PD Nashvilleand Atlanta doesn’t want to use a PD spot at quarterback, it seems.
Offers from other MLS clubs for Robinson will be limited – the same issue that complicated matters Aaron Long, Sean Johnson and others last year.
Robinson, 26, has attracted interest from PSV and others in Europe. He could join a club abroad on a free transfer on January 1. He has 26 caps with the USMNT and has made 150 appearances for Atlanta, the only club he has been with (permanently) in his professional career.
Kellyn Acosta
The main midfield option on the board, Kellyn Acosta is an MLS-proven top midfielder of the national team in his prime. He just went to back-to-back MLS Cups with LAFC, helped lead it Colorado Rapids in first place in the Western Conference in 2021 and was constant for FC Dallas’ 2016 Cup winning shield/double.
At 28 years old, Acosta already has 252 MLS regular season appearances and 58 appearances with the USMNT. He made 79 appearances in all competitions in two years with LAFC.
Most clubs with space should consider it.
Carlos Vela
Vela is a former MLS MVP, an LAFC club legend, a starter in the last two MLS Cup Finals and enjoyed the greatest individual season in league history in 2019.
The former Mexico representative turns 35 next season. He still had nine goals and seven assists while playing in all 34 MLS regular season games (2,071 minutes) this year. He remained productive, but had zero goals and one assist in the playoffs. He will fit into any possession-based system as an inverted winger or number 10.
What will the open market look like for him around the MLS? Vela makes $4.38 million in 2023. He would have to make less than half that if he were open to returning to a non-DP deal.
Kai Wagner
Kai Wagner came to Philadelphia as a little-known underclassman from Germany and quickly established himself among the best left backs in the league.
The 26-year-old has been a regular subject of transfer speculation, with Leeds United and others previously interested. The lack of offers is surprising given his profile and age, so he could make more money in MLS free agency than in Europe.
Wagner had an offer on the table from Philadelphia Union since last week. He also had an offer from AEK Athens this fall, sources briefed on the talks said.
If Wagner explores free agency, he would make a lot of sense FC Cincinnati if they move Alvaro Barreal towards Europe. Cincy’s key decision makers (GM Chris Albright, head coach Pat Noonan, director of football strategy Kyle McCarthy) all came from Philly and know Wagner’s game well.
Julian Gressel
Arguably the best crosser in MLS, Julian Gressel looks set to leave The crew of Columbus in free agency this month.
Gressel, who turns 30 this winter, moved to the Crew this summer and won his second MLS Cup. He is 6-for-6 in finals (two MLS Cups, two Canadian Championships, one US Open Cup and one Campeones Cup).
The full-back (who can also play in central midfield) was 17th in MLS in expected assists despite playing fewer minutes than most ahead of him.
It is likely that his next team will be on the East Coast for family reasons. A reunion with Tata Martino, his former Atlanta United coach, in Inter Miami it would make a lot of sense to me if they could find the salary cap space.
Diego Palacios
A World Cup veteran and Ecuador international is a free agent at just 24 years old. His profile usually calls for a cheap move to Europe, so we’ll see if he has fun with LAFC or testing the domestic market.
The left back has made 132 appearances for LAFC, starting two MLS Cup finals as well as playing the full 180 minutes in both legs of this year’s CONCACAF Champions League final. Palacios had the assist on Gareth Bale’s iconic equalizer in last year’s MLS Cup final against the Philadelphia Union.
Eleven more…
The goalkeepers
Maxime Crepeau
Crepeau won the 2022 MLS Cup with LAFC and is a regular on the Canadian national team. He came back this year from a broken leg and looked like he did before the injury. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the league.
The 29-year-old has made 98 MLS regular season appearances across three clubs. I imagine LAFC will try hard to keep him and that seems like the most likely outcome, but that’s speculation.
John McCarthy
Reliable backup keepers are very useful in MLS, just ask Philly after Andrew Blake lost time with injury and the national team over the years. John McCarthy is him.
As a bonus, McCarthy is a penalty kick specialist, making him more valuable, especially in a new MLS landscape where Leagues Cup games and first-round playoff games go straight to penalties if equalize.
LAWYER
Griffin Dorsey
Griffin Dorsey came on strong as the year went on for Houston – the fullback was an integral part of their US Open Cup win and league success. Dorsey had five goals and five assists in 35 appearances in all competitions, including a goal in the Open Cup final.
The attacking right back ranked in the 99th percentile among MLS defenders in goals without penalties, 97th percentile in xA, 91st percentile in progressive carries and 70th percentile in progressive passes received ; a real threat on the right wing.
Conversations continue between them Houston and Dorsey, says a source briefed on the talks Athletics.
Donovan pines
DC United center back Donovan Pines reaches free agency at age 25 after making his MLS debut in 2019.
Pines made 22 appearances this year, a new career best, scoring three goals along the way. He made 93 appearances for DC
Midfield
Omir Fernandez
Like Dorsey, Omir Fernandez benefits from the new free agency rules in that the minimum age is now 24. He is entering his prime and with years of MLS experience, he would be a useful player for many teams.
Fernandez, 24, has made 130 appearances for the first team with New York Red Bullsincluding a career-best six goals in 2023. He appeared in 30 games for RBNY and can play as a number 10 or on the wing.
Nico Lodeiro
Lodeiro was excluded from the top tier only because of his age and potential compensation. He will leave Seattle Sounders this offseason after eight incredible, trophy-laden years. Lodeiro turns 35 in March next season. The feeling from people around Seattle is that Lodeiro will stay in MLS rather than return to South America.
Although he had a career-worst season in terms of box score numbers (one goal, five assists), his advanced stats were strong. He was 91st percentile among MLS attacking/wing midfielders in shot creation actions, 79th percentile in xA, 95th percentile in progressive passes completed and 80th percentile in progressive passes received (all figures for 90 minutes).
Dax McCarty
Another MLS legend, Dax McCarty will embark on a new journey after four extremely successful seasons with Nashville SC.
McCarty, 36, appeared in 34 games in all competitions for Nashville last year and was their best pass rusher. He was integral in driving the off-field culture, with the club making the playoffs in all four years following expansion. He made 121 appearances for Nashville, and is up to 466 regular season appearances in his career.
The attackers
Gustavo Bou
Gustavo Bou also almost made it to the top level, but uncertainty over whether he will stay in MLS or return to South America complicates matters. Also, his best role (before second) is one that is increasingly rare.
Bow turns 34 just before the 2024 season and has struggled with availability the last two years, but not with productivity. He had 19 goals and nine assists in 43 appearances (3,360 minutes) for the Revs during that span.
Joseph Martinez
It’s crazy to think that Josef Martinez — an MLS MVP who was the fastest in league history to 100 goals and is only 30 — wouldn’t be the top prize in free agency, but knee surgeries have significantly slowed it down. He’s not the same player he was when he dominated in Atlanta, but he can still be a reliable scorer in MLS.
Martinez had seven goals and one assist in 1,740 minutes for Miami this year. Even in recent years, Martinez has scored 33 goals and eight assists in 5,664 minutes (one goal contribution every 138 minutes) since his injury.
Money will be complicated given his stature. Curious to see where it ends up.
Danny Musovski
After negotiations for a new contract with The real Salt Lake completely derailed, causing Danny Musovski to sit out the season. The forward now hits free agency and will have several options.
Musovski, 28, had nine goals and five assists in 1,648 minutes in all competitions this year. When he plays, he scores. It was true at LAFC, where he had 13 goals and six assists in 2,236 minutes, and it was true in the USL Championship as well.
Corey Baird
Bair picked a good time to have a career year with the Houston Dynamo.
The former MLS Rookie of the Year (an award since renamed MLS Young Player of the Year) won the starting role at center forward under Ben Olsen and contributed 14 goals plus eight assists. He fitted seamlessly into the club’s on-ball and off-ball tactics as the club won the US Open Cup and finished fourth in the West.
Baird turns 28 just before next season.
Talks remain active between the Dynamo and Baird, sources briefed on the negotiations say Athletics.
(Photos: Getty Images)
