Biggest moves of MLS free agency

MLS free agency doesn't tend to lead to many seismic or blockbuster moves, but it's still always interesting to see which clubs can use the still-relatively-new mechanism to the greatest effect. With the most sought-after names from the 2026 free agent class now off the market, here's who was able to improve the most with their offseason intra-league additions.

Cristian Espinoza: San Jose Earthquakes to Nashville SC

Espinoza has been one of the best players in the league for a few years now, but he didn't get much notoriety for it while toiling away for the San Jose Earthquakes. After San Jose unexpectedly declined his contract option, Nashville SC emerged as the winner of the sweepstakes, giving them the crown jewel of all the available names. Espinoza is a truly dynamic force from out wide and one of the most reliable assist-providers in the league, which happens to be exactly what Nashville needed to support the duo of Hany Mukhtar and Sam Surridge. It's going to deservedly make Nashville a big preseason pundit pick as a Supporters' Shield contender, considering they're already coming off their best year in MLS so far in 2025.

Dayne St. Clair: Minnesota United to Inter Miami

If Inter Miami had any weakness at all, it was at goalkeeper, where last year's duo of Oscar Ustari and Rocco Rios Novo was functional at its best and actively bad at its worst. They've now shored that up with the reigning Goalkeeper of the Year in Dayne St. Clair, who's been a stalwart for Minnesota United for years and has emerged as a potential starter for the Canadian national team. Aside from being an above-average starter, St. Clair is one of the best penalty-kick specialists in the league. For a team like Inter Miami that's likely to be playing in a lot of knockout tournament games, it could be the most significant addition of an already noisy offseason.

Robin Lod: Minnesota United to Chicago Fire FC

After years of futility, the Chicago Fire established a baseline of competence in 2025, making them a club that's trying to transition from upstart rebuilder to actual contender going into this season. With that in mind, it makes sense why they think a player like Lod can help them do that. The Finnish international isn't the flashiest player, but he was always reliable and extremely versatile for Minnesota, contributing 41g/28a in 185 matches (all competitions) while playing all over their midfield. That versatility is part of why I think Gregg Behalter might be bringing Lod in to play a fairly significant role, and not just to be a veteran presence or depth piece.

Justin Haak: New York City FC to LA Galaxy

Like Espinoza, Haak making it to free agency at all was somewhat surprising after he broke out for NYCFC last year, and he reportedly had numerous suitors around the league. His fit with the Galaxy is obvious, as their top offseason priority was to shore up their central defense, with the added bonus that Haak can also play as a defensive midfielder. Throw in their trade for Jakob Glesnes from Philadelphia, and those are a couple of meaningful upgrades along the Galaxy back line. It at least gives them a chance at keeping their season afloat despite the devastating news of Riqui Puig's injury setback.

Hassani Dotson to Seattle Sounders

With Obed Vargas’ future up in the air and João Paulo and Danny Leyva no longer in the mix, it was the perfect time for Dotson to make his long-awaited homecoming. The Federal Way native is a proven above-average MLS starter when healthy, and his skillset seems like it would work playing with either of Cristian Roldan or Vargas in a double pivot. The wildcard here is the freshly arrived U22 Initiative midfielder Nikola Petković, who’s less proven than Dotson, but offers more theoretical upside. That positional battle will be one of the most intriguing to watch once the preseason gets underway.