It's not even transfer deadline day, yet it feels like anytime we peer away from Twitter – even for just a blissful minute untethered from our smartphones – we miss something.
On the penultimate day of MLS's Summer Transfer Window, all sorts of news careened off the rails. From big to small and everything in between, it's been a crazy day. Oh, and it's not even over. It's wonderful. It's exhausting. It's a caffeinated high, buzzing from one rumor or deal to the next.
The biggest news, of course, was D.C. United confirming Wayne Rooney's exit from the club, which will take place after the season. My man Andrew Wiebe has that one covered, so be sure to read when it drops.
As for everything else? Here we go. And keep Twitter handy in case something else drops out of the sky.
D.C. United's Wayne Rooney fallout
D.C. largely imperialized the news cycle Tuesday.
Rooney's future was the most important piece of information, but the club had much more to deal with. Here's a quick rundown of the news to come out of the district:
- D.C. reportedly are "deep in talks" with Argentine winger Mateo Garcia over a $3 million deal
- D.C. acquired midfielder Felipe from Vancouver
- D.C. reportedly are finalizing a deal for Ola Kamara, who will not be a Designated Player, despite a $2.5 million transfer fee
- D.C. reportedly are in negotiations with the LA Galaxy for midfielder Ema Boateng
- D.C. reportedly are set to meet with Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil's representatives soon
- D.C. sent an international roster slot to Minnesota United for $50,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM)
- D.C. acquired $212,500 in Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) from Portland for $62,500 in GAM and a 2020 International Roster spot
And Mario Balotelli's name was floated somewhere in there, too. Rumors linking Yamil Asad to the club are never far behind, either. Oh, and a quick reminder that Lucho Acosta is out of contract after the season. Loans for Leo Jara and Lucas Rodriguez will be up, too.
You got all that?
Felipe provides much-needed reinforcements at defensive mid, though the move is difficult for supporters to reckon with given he's, well, not exactly a fan-favorite around those parts. That sentiment dates back to his days with the New York Red Bulls. Garcia would add attacking juice to help 2019 get back on track, plus provide insurance for the other attackers who may not be around in 2020.
Mesut Ozil, well, if he's interested and a deal could be struck, it's a no-brainer.
Bottom line: Next season's D.C. United opening day lineup is going to look vastly different than the team that dismantled Atlanta United earlier this year. That starting XI, which went 3-0-1 in the club's first four games but hasn't been available together since, was thought to be one of the most predictable team sheets when healthy. They looked the class of the Eastern Conference for the first month.
Funny how quickly things change.
Vancouver's winger search reaches another stop
Vancouver's rotating door of wingers has introduced a new player, with Honduras international Michaell Chirinosjoining the club on loan from CD Olimpia.
The 24-year-old was recently on loan with Lobos BUAP in Liga MX for the 2018-19 season, where he had six goals and two assists in 33 appearances. He directly replaces Lucas Venuto, both on the roster and in the salary cap, as the Brazilian's departure freed up the necessary TAM to complete the deal.
The Whitecaps have the semblance of a decent core. This season was always meant to be a transitional one, so coming away with tangible improvements for the future was the goal.
Maxime Crepeau, Doneil Henry, Erik Godoy, Ali Adnan and Inbeom Hwang are players Marc Dos Santos can build around. There are also a few other interesting pieces. As you see, their best work has been done in the defensive third. It hasn't been the same in attack.
"This loan gives us an opportunity to bring in and evaluate a player who has done well in Honduras and Mexico, leagues that have similar characteristics as MLS," Dos Santos said in a club statement.
Will Chirinos join the core?
Miami add another South American teenager
For a club not yet in MLS, Inter Miami are beginning their initial descent into their inaugural roster for 2020. Please fasten your seatbelts and place your seat in its upright position.
On Tuesday, they announced the signing of 19-year-old Venezuelan youth international Christian Makoun from Zamora FC after the player had been on loan at Juventus the last year.
The micro? Makoun was a player courted by the likes of Real Madrid and Bayern Munich before Juventus won the race to acquire him on loan with an option to buy last summer. It didn't work out, he spent the season with Juve's youth squads, then returned to Venezuela. One year later, he heads to Miami. It's an impressive coup and a defense-minded piece for the attack-minded club, as he is comfortable both at defensive mid and center back.
The macro? Three highly-rated South American teenagers form the first trio of players signed by Miami. All three came with non-insignificant transfer fees, yet just Matias Pellegrini takes up one of the club's three coveted Designated Player slots. That's fantastic cap gymnastics so far by sporting director Paul McDonough.
“Our idea is we probably need that DP spot for something else,” McDonough told The Athletic's Paul Tenorio.
McDonough has long been on the record saying he won't just sign one veteran who has played at the highest level, if he opts for that route. The big question now, as ever, is where those two DP slots will go.
