The summer transfer window closes for MLS teams late tonight. The Seattle Sounders have already done their biggest bit of business — signing Designated Player Dejan Joveljić — but are still hoping to get at least one or two smaller deals done.
Here’s what you need to know:
When does the window actually close?
I’m going to defer to my esteemed colleague Tom Bogert on this one:
⏰ MLS summer transfer window closes tonight (1am ET) Several teams should be busy today + previously agreed deals getting done Reminder: Teams don’t *have* to announce deals by deadline, just need paperwork filed/approved. Can be announced later too
— Tom Bogert (@tombogert.bsky.social) September 2, 2026 at 5:12 AM
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Are we expecting the Sounders to do anything?
I know the Sounders are definitely trying to get something done. As recently as yesterday, I was very optimistic they’d get something done, too. But I’m less optimistic now.
From what I’ve been told, the deal they were most excited about fell apart at the last minute when the player asked for a salary twice as high as expected. Considering the Sounders are looking at a price-controlled roster spot – both TAM and U22 signings have salary limits – that effectively killed the deal even though a transfer fee had apparently been agreed upon.
That doesn't necessarily mean no deal will get made. I’m told the Sounders are still weighing a couple other moves, both inside and out of MLS. But I’m less optimistic that they’ll be able to sign an additional true difference-maker.
What other options do the Sounders have?
Even after the window closes, the Sounders will still have the ability to sign free agents until the roster freeze on Oct. 9. In years past, that's been a bit of Fool's Gold as the Sounders haven’t signed a free agent during the post-summer window in a very long time. I suspect this year could be different given the pretty obvious roster needs and the reality that they’re likely to have an open international roster spot to use.
How should we assess this window?
I don’t want to judge anything or anyone before the dust settles, but I think we can safely say that the Sounders’ roster needs an upgrade if they are going to be real contenders. While signing Joveljić alone does make this window an improvement on the previous four summers when the Sounders failed to make a significant signing, that's a really, really low bar. But I’ll also admit that signing a DP as accomplished and promising as Joveljić is more than I thought they’d be able to do.
The problem is that at the start of the window, we thought Pedro de la Vega was coming back and didn’t know that Jesús Ferreira was likely out for rest of the year. Not having either of those players leaves a rather gaping hole in the lineup. Without a new signing, the Sounders are relying on Jordan Morris regaining his form of late last year AND Paul Arriola staying healthy and productive enough to provide some depth.
That's putting a lot of eggs in the "hope" basket and frankly I don’t blame anyone for being skeptical.
