San Diego FC acquire Lozano from PSV Eindhoven
San Diego FC have acquired Mexican star Hirving "Chucky" Lozano, completing a marquee signing before their 2025 MLS expansion season. Lozano becomes the club's first-ever Designated Player, arriving from Eredivisie powerhouse PSV Eindhoven for a reported $12 million. The winger, who formally joins San Diego on Jan. 1, is under contract through the 2028 MLS season with two option years. He will remain at PSV Eindhoven for the remainder of 2024.
Minnesota United sign attacker Shashoua
Minnesota United FC have signed former England youth international Samuel Shashoua. The 25-year-old attacking midfielder is under contract through 2024 with club options for 2025-26. He most recently played for Albacete in LaLiga 2, the second tier of Spanish professional soccer. Shashoua is eligible to join Minnesota when the MLS Secondary Transfer Window opens on July 18.
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Yesterday, the league released an update on whoās leading the ballot for the 2024 MLS All-Star team. It reminded me of something important: I need to vote for the 2024 MLS All-Star team.
To be fair to me, things have been a bit chaotic down here in Atlanta the last couple of weeks. I have been distracted. But I figured it would be a nice relaxing exercise to sit down and vote for who I think deserves to start versus Liga MX on July 24.
It was not.
At least not when it came to the non-Messi/non-Chicho positions. It took some thinking and then some panicking until my anxiety let me hit āsubmit,ā but hereās how my ballot shook out.
FW: Chicho Arango - Real Salt Lake
You can read more about how good Arango has been in our latest MVP Power Rankings, but the best way to sum it up is that heās on pace to break Carlos Velaās MLS record for goal contributions in a season and has either scored or assisted on 69% of RSLās goals in a year where theyāre a genuine Shield contender. So. Yeah, heās on my ballot.
FW: Lionel Messi - Inter Miami
I think he might make the team.
FW: Denis Bouanga - LAFC
Bouanga has 10 goals and five assists on the season. You could almost consider that a down year for him based on what he did last season. But give it some time. Heās second in MLS in expected goals plus expected assists per 90 and underperforming in both categories. Weāve got a few games before the All-Star Game. Heās already deserving of a spot, but he might be entering the game with numbers that are starting to look a little more like last season.
You could totally argue for Luis SuĆ”rez and Christian Benteke here too and I wouldnāt hold it against you. For now, though, Iām willing to lean toward high-level production and underlying numbers. Which, I mean, it's a pretty good argument here for Tani Oluwaseyi if youāre feeling bold. Just saying. Sure seems like a coach known for developing young players like Wilfried Nancy would want a player averaging 1.59 goals and assists per 90 around. And, oh, look at that, he can pick 12 spots on this year's All-Star team.
(Do it, Wilfried)
Attacking Midfielder: Lucho Acosta - FC Cincinnati
I pointed this out in the MVP Power Rankings, but itās worth pointing out again that Acosta may be having an even better season than last yearās MVP-winning campaign. Heās averaging a goal contribution per 90, and thatās without taking penalties. Heās carrying a Cincy roster thatās experienced a lot of turnover to another Shield-caliber season and heās wholly deserving another All-Star start.
Attacking Midfielder: Riqui Puig - LA Galaxy/Robin Lod - Minnesota United
Name an attacking stat. Puig is probably in the 98th percentile in that category among midfielders.
Now, name a defensive stat. Heās probably in the 2nd percentile or worse. This man has been playing his entire time in MLS like heās in the All-Star game. Heās built for this. And heās also extremely productive for a revitalized Galaxy side. He makes their attack what it is.
If youāre not into Puig though, the other option here is Minnesotaās Robin Lod. Lod is fourth in MLS right now in goal contributions per 90 and has filled the void left by Bebelo Reynosoās departure in a way no one could have imagined. He even plays a little more defense than Puig. And actually, now that Iām typing through all this, Iām possibly talking myself into Lod over Puig. Maybe if I ask nicely theyāll let me resubmit my vote? I told yāall I panicked, right?
Defensive midfielder: GastĆ³n Brugman - LA Galaxy
There were a few quality options here. Sergio Busquets has been doing Busquets things for Inter Miami, Aidan Morris is an outright star for Columbus and Emeka Eneli has been remarkable for Real Salt Lake. But Brugman is an underrated piece of the puzzle for the Galaxy. Heās asked to do a ton of work defensively and it shows up on the stat sheet. Heās in the 94th percentile among midfielders in tackles per 90 and the 99th percentile in interceptions per 90. Heāll be used to playing in a team thatās as attack-minded as All-Star teams typically are.
Left back: Luca Orellano - FC Cincinnati
Ok, fine, heās more of wingback, but I didnāt choose how the ballots work. But I know a couple of things here. First and foremost, Orellano has been awesome for FC Cincinnati in his first season and is only getting better as the year goes along. Heās replaced Alvaro Barreal and there hasnāt been much of a drop-off.
The other thing here is that Wilfried Nancy is the All-Star teamās head coach. You know who loves to play with wingbacks? I had to give him at least one to work with.
Center back: Miles Robinson - FC Cincinnati
Have we mentioned that Cincyās defense is the best in the league? Robinson has stepped into their back three after signing as a free agent and looked, yet again, like one of the best defenders in the league. Center backs are difficult to assess accurately, but it feels safe to pick out one of the best defenders in MLS on the best defensive side in the league.
Of course, with that same logic, you could go with Matt Miazga here too. Thatās cool. Iām not going to judge.
Center back: Justen Glad - Real Salt Lake
Joe Lowery talked me into this one. Gladās numbers this year are great and heās the anchor for a Supportersā Shield-caliber defense.
Right back: Aaron Herrera - D.C. United
Herrera does everything well and heās right at home in Troy Lesesneās system. Heās in the 97th percentile among fullbacks in shot-creating actions, the 94th percentile in progressive passes and in the 73rd percentile or higher in tackles, interceptions, blocks, clearances and aerials won. Heās got a claim to the title of best all-around fullback in the league.
Goalkeeper: Matt Freese - New York City FC
I try not to overthink it on keepers. Freese has the best shot-stopping numbers in the league. Freese gets my vote. Easy. Done. At least a few of these werenāt stressful.
Columbus Crew players make Champions Cup Best XI: Three Columbus Crew players have made the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Best XI: goalkeeper Patrick Schulte, defender Yevhen Cheberko and winger Diego Rossi.
LAFC sign goalkeeper Hasal: LAFC have signed goalkeeper Thomas Hasal through 2025 with an option for 2026. Hasal, 24, was out of contract after spending 2019-23 as a Vancouver Whitecaps FC homegrown player. He posted six clean sheets in 34 appearances.
- Jesse Marschās Canada journey is set to begin against the Netherlands and France.
- MVP Power Rankings.
- St. Louis CITY's Chris Durkin won the AT&T Goal of the Matchday.
- Take a look at which players are leading the All-Star voting.
- Hereās how to watch the USMNTās friendly versus Colombia.
Good luck out there. Be better than the best.