Secondary Transfer Window Closes in 3..2..1..

Major League Soccer’s secondary transfer window is set to close on August 8th, after being open since July 10th. While a team can add a player AFTER the August 8th date, that player is unable to be played in any official MLS matches until the next transfer window (beginning in February).

In addition to transferring players in, any intra-league trades must occur during the window. However, teams can swap draft picks, allocation money, etc. outside of the two transfer windows. Teams can also get rid of players outside of the transfer windows; basically, it just means new players cannot be added to the club.

With only a few days left, several teams have made moves. Justin Meram went BACK to Columbus, while Fanendo Adi and Fatai Alashe packed up their bags to FC Cincinnati. That second one was a weird one, as FC Cincinnati, who currently plays in USL, used MLS funny money to acquire two players to play with their team this season. So, they used MLS money to acquire a player to play in USL. Anyway, I will let others debate that one!

Of course, the Vancouver Whitecaps made a ‘minor’ move this summer...shipping a fringe prospect named Alphonso Davies to some no-name club in Europe. Bayern Munich I think they are called? Whatever, never heard of them.

In all seriousness, there are questions about whether the Whitecaps will make a move in the upcoming days. The biggest challenge the Caps face is that they really don’t have any cap space or roster positions available. As a result, they need to ship someone out before they can bring someone in. While there are a few fringe players that may seem expendable -looking at you Ibini-, the trick is getting someone to take them -looking at you Shea! (although I think Shea has value with the Caps).

With Davies not leaving until the off-season, one could argue that this is the last opportunity for the Whitecaps to utilize their dynamic game changer, and potentially pull something off down the stretch. As we say each year, some team gets hot in September/October and can carry that streak to the MLS Cup.

However, the Whitecaps will not be able to spend any of their Davies money until next season. Therefore, the club might be hesitant to spend additional money right now. They are not exactly known as free spenders! This could also, unfortunately, be seen as a lost season, and the ownership could be looking ahead to next year. It might be difficult to bring in players when they might be looking to do a lot of house cleaning over the off-season. Maybe they should just wait.

With less than three days left until the Secondary Transfer Window closes, will the Whitecaps make any moves? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. Also, whether you think they SHOULD make any moves, or wait until the off-season. Finally, who is most likely to exit if Vancouver elects to do something in the next three days.