VANCOUVER, BC – Monday is a big day for Major League Soccer.
Not only are there three matches on slate, including Vancouver Whitecaps FC’s visit to LA Galaxy (7:30 p.m. PT on TSN1) and Tim Howard’s debut for the league-leading Colorado Rapids, it also marks the opening of the MLS summer transfer window.
That means as of Monday, MLS clubs are once again allowed to make trades within the league and acquire players under contract in another country, until the window closes on August 3.
“We’re always looking to strengthen,” said Greg Anderson, Whitecaps FC vice-president of soccer operations. “We’ve already been fielding lots of calls from other teams and there generally is a lot of talk in the weeks leading up to the opening of the window – especially now that trades within the league are limited to transfer windows. I think there will certainly be a lot more talk about potential moves going into the window.”
The ‘Caps have made moves in each of the last two summer transfer windows.
In 2014, they acquired centre back Kendall Waston and last year they added right back Jordan Smith on loan – both from Costa Rican club Deportivo Saprissa. The summer transfer window, which is actually called the “secondary” window, is one of only two periods on the calendar during which MLS clubs can make such moves or make trades involving players.
The other runs from February to May.
“I think it’s always better if new players coming in have the opportunity to spend a preseason with the team, but we’ve seen with additions like Kendall that some people have the ability to jump right in and adapt quickly,” Anderson said. “We’ll consider all of those factors when deciding whether or not it’s the right thing to do to add any players in the midseason.”
Anderson said the ‘Caps aren’t actively looking to trade any players, but they’re always listening.
“I’m sure there will be lots of conversations.”
KEY DATES
Summer transfer window opens: July 4
Summer transfer window closes: August 3
MLS Roster Freeze: September 15
Decision Day (final day of regular season): October 23
NOTE
MLS clubs may transfer or loan their players outside the league at any time (subject to the transfer window of the recipient club’s federation and the player’s consent). They can also sign free agents and non-MLS players within their own country up until the MLS Roster Freeze on September 15.
For more information, check out Major League Soccer's Roster Rules and Regulations.
Be a part of the best sporting atmosphere in Vancouver! Whitecaps FC offer a flexible range of ticket products, including Half-Season Packs, 5-Packs, a Youth Soccer Half-Season Ticket, and single match tickets. For more information, visit whitecapsfc.com/tickets.
