Name-chasing in Major League Soccer has resulted in varying degrees of success over the years.
David Beckham was the original case study, and his arrival paid dividends, both for the LA Galaxy and the league. Inter Miami’s successful pursuit of Lionel Messi hasn’t yet led to the trophy haul that might have been expected, but you can’t argue with the on-field production and improved results that have followed the Barcelona legend’s arrival. On the flip side, you’ve got guys like Andrea Pirlo or Xherdan Shaqiri, who never came close to living up to their big-name, big-money pedigree. Others, like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, put up lofty individual numbers, but with limited team success.
With South Korea international icon Son Heung-min (LAFC) and German legend Thomas Müller (Vancouver Whitecaps) becoming the most recent players of this profile to come to the league, it’ll be interesting to see where on the spectrum they fall with their new clubs.
In the case of Son, I see a lot more potential for a pronounced on-field impact than LAFC got when they tried this with Olivier Giroud (bust) and Gareth Bale (MLS Cup-winning goal, but also part-time golfer). I’ve seen little evidence that Son has declined much, if at all, during his last couple of years with Tottenham, and he doesn’t strike me as the type of guy where you have to worry about buy-in and work ethic.
If he’s anywhere close to that quality in LA, they’ve got one of the most dynamic attacking players in the game over the past decade. Throw in his unique type of global following, and it’s not hard to see why they felt this was worth a league-record $26 million transfer fee.
With Müller, it feels like there are some different factors at play for Vancouver. The ’Caps aren’t typically associated with this type of move, but with uncertainty surrounding their stadium situation and future in the city, maybe they figure a player like this can help drive fan interest and get them on more solid ground. At 35, Müller is two years older than Son, but he’s one of the best Bundesliga attackers ever, so I have little doubt he’ll get his numbers for the Canadian side.
Whatever the outcome, Seattle’s got a couple of big-time new characters to contend with in the Western Conference playoff race.
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Catching up on Sounder at Heart
Here’s what you missed on the site this week.
Sounders
Next match: Saturday, Aug. 16 at Minnesota United FC
- Cruising in Carson: Sounders put 4 on the Galaxy
- Postgame Pontifications: Flying high
- Lobbing Scorchers Kickoff: Is this the Sounders' best attacking stretch ever?
- Nos Audietis: This is shaping up as another disappointing transfer window
- Realio’s Ratings: No tears, no spilt milk
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Reign
Next match: Monday, Aug. 18 vs. Chicago Stars | 7 pm PT | Paramount+
Defiance
Next match: Friday, Aug. 15 vs. Minnesota United 2 | 5 pm PT| MLS Season Pass
Looking back at the news
Everything else you need to know
Matt Doyle: 2025 Sounders are the deepest team in MLS history (MLSsoccer)
What We Learned: Seattle Sounders flex depth, Shield race is wide open (MLSSoccer)
MLS Power Rankings: San Diego keeps climbing as rivals slip (ESPN)
NWSL Team of the Week: Portland claims rivalry weekend, Temwa Chawinga heats up in Golden Boot race (CBS Sports)
Son Heung-min makes instant impact in LAFC debut and hails MLS welcome (The Guardian)
NWSL Power Rankings: Can anyone stop the Kansas City Current? (ESPN)
MLS commissioner Don Garber promises FC Cincinnati an All-Star Game (Cincinnati.com)
Leagues Cup 2025: Quarterfinal matchups, schedule info & who advanced (MLSSoccer)
10 Biggest Stars to Ever Join MLS: Where Do Thomas Muller, Son Heung-min Rank? (Sports Illustrated)
USMNT goalkeeper Turner stars in return to MLS (USA Today)
Young Players: Who stepped up in Matchday 28? (MLSSoccer)
