At midnight central time on August 9, MLS teams must be done adding talent that requires a transfer fee or trade within the league. Teams can still add “frees” that were free before that cutoff and they may sign talent from within the US soccer ecosystem (NASL, USL, and even HGPs). For teams getting ready for the run-in to the MLS Cup Playoffs it is a time to add any necessary pieces. For teams like D.C. United, it is time to cut dead weight. As a reminder, sometimes deals are reached just as the league offices close, which are usually not announced immediately.
Seattle Sounders FC have two open senior roster spots, one open supplemental roster spot and no open international spots (getting one of those isn’t that hard). They are situated in such a way that they can add a Designated Player—the only remaining target that has been identified is Derlis Gonzalez.
This final day of the transfer window should be active throughout the league. If you are following along via Twitter, you should mute the following accounts because they are likely to give you false and misleading information — NeaterGuyOnline, MaxiRodriguez and any “Transfer Bot.” The non-bots are digital friends of mine, but if you want rumors you should avoid them for a couple days.
Your highest quality follows for MLS rumors are going to be Carlisle, Goff, Ives, Straus, and Wahl. Paraguayan reporter Wilson Gonzalez is your best follow for news related to Derlis and the Sounders. There are many dozens of others you could follow, too.
As always, the recommendations for judging the quality of a rumor are; does the user use their real name, do they represent an outlet with a non-Twitter presence, do they link that material, does the rumored signing make any sense?
If you do not have Twitter, we have this great open thread for you. Who knows how many managers will be interviewed through their car windows.