While plenty of American stars switched clubs during the off-season, others stayed put when changing teams might have been to their benefit
It was a massive summer for the United States men's national team's biggest stars. Players like Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Tyler Adams and Matt Turner earned big transfers, while Sergino Dest and Brenden Aaronson secured much-needed loans.
In total, over half of the USMNT's best starting XI was on the move during this most recent transfer window. However, not every player that needed a move this summer ended up getting one.
Several key players ended up staying at their clubs, some with no real guarantees of playing time. Others that are looking to push their way into the USMNT reckoning weren't able to or weren't willing to make their career-changing move as the road to 2026 truly begins.
With that said, GOAL takes a look at the USMNT stars who could have, and maybe should have, made transfers this summer:
GettyWeston McKennie
Weston McKennie's situation looks better than it did just a few weeks ago, as it does seem he has some sort of role with Juventus. The problem is that role is the same as Tim Weah's, at least for now.
McKennie, who spent the second half last season on loan with Leeds United, is now filling in as a makeshift right wing-back, where Weah has been pencilled in as the go-to starter. McKennie came off the bench for the first two games of the season to replace Weah, but was then handed the start in Juve's third match, a 2-0 win over Empoli.
Playing time is good, no matter where it is, but it would obviously be best for McKennie to be getting consistent minutes in midfield. Could he play his way into that role? Absolutely, but Massimiliano Allegri will seemingly take some convincing.
McKennie was linked with clubs all over Europe this summer, but ultimately remained at Juventus. Perhaps this gets revisited in January but, for now, we'll have to see if he can earn a bigger role than Weah's back-up for this first half of the season.
AdvertisementGettyEthan Horvath
After helping Luton Town achieve promotion to the Premier League while on loan last season, it felt like Ethan Horvath had found a home. Unfortunately, things didn't work out that way.
Luton opted to go in a different direction, meaning Horvath would return to Nottingham Forest. He was soon joined at the City Ground by USMNT team-mate Turner, who has been given the starting spot, with Horvath as his back-up.
However, even that didn't last long, as the club went out and signed Greece international Odysseas Vlachodimos from Benfica. Not only does that threaten Turner's No.1 spot, but it also pushes Horvath to third on the depth chart.
As he looks to remain in the USMNT picture after going to the 2022 World Cup, Horvath needs minutes, and it doesn't seem there will be any to go around at his current club.
Getty ImagesJesus Ferreira
Jesus Ferreira got himself a new nickname this summer, but he didn't get a move to Europe. 'The Pirate of the Caribbean' was one of the stories of the summer as he lit up some of CONCACAF's lesser opponents in the Gold Cup. However, it probably isn't good enough to move Ferreira up the USMNT striker pecking order, as he likely remains behind both Balogun and Ricardo Pepi.
He's dominated in Dallas, hitting double digits, but it seems that Ferreira may need to conquer a level other than MLS. He's comfortable with FC Dallas, and paid extremely well, but there are questions whether his development would be better served in Europe.
Napoli were reportedly interested, and that would have been a massive step up for sure. Ferreira, though, will likely be better for it as he continues his growth as a striker.
You can't fault him for wanting to continue the season with Dallas, a team fighting for a playoff spot, but this winter could be a good time to reassess what's best for his career.
Getty ImagesBrandon Vazquez
Like Ferreira, Brandon Vazquez is a player fighting for a spot in the striker depth chart and, like Ferreira, he didn't make the leap to Europe this summer. It wasn't for a lack of trying, as it seemed that Vazquez was fully prepared to move to Germany. Borussia Monchengladbach were ready to sign the USMNT striker, only for FC Cincinnati to block the move.
You can understand it from Cincy's point of view. After already losing star forward Brenner to Udinese, losing Vazquez would have totally killed their season. As things stand, the club is on a record-setting pace and seems to be the favorites to win MLS Cup. You can't blame them for choosing the team over the striker's ambitions.
Could Gladbach come back later on? Vazquez will hope so as he looks set to make his next step at some point soon.