Ahead of the 2025 MLS campaign, GOAL takes a look at five players that could use a change of scenery

Transfer season is in full swing in Europe, and MLS is also gaining momentum with signings and trades as clubs actively shape their rosters for the 2025 season.

Some teams, like Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Brian Schmetzer's Seattle Sounders, are preparing for more than just the regular season — competitions like the FIFA Club World Cup are also on the horizon.

Messi's arrival signaled a new era of ambition and expectation for the league's now 30 teams, and big moves aren’t limited to transfers alone. Trades have played a pivotal role in shaping champions, with Darlington Nagbe’s arrivals in both Atlanta United and Columbus Crew serving as prime examples of title-winning impact.

This offseason, similarly high-caliber players are available. Some, like U.S. internationals Duncan McGuire, Julian Gressel, and Eryk Williamson, have seen their roles diminish at their current clubs. Others, like 2023 MVP Lucho Acosta and winger Robert Taylor, remain stars but might benefit from a change of scenery after a challenging 2024 campaign.

The blockbuster $2.5 million trade sending Leonardo Campana to the New England Revolution from South Beach kicked off trade season. Acosta, Gressel, Taylor, McGuire, and Williamson are five names to watch as potential candidates to follow suit.

GOAL examines and offers some insight into where the ideal destination for the next stage of their careers may lie.

Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGetty ImagesJulian Gressel, Inter Miami

Why he should request a trade: Gressel began 2024 as an important player for the but as the season went on, it felt as though he was deemed surplus and come the postseason, he was ignored by then-manager Tata Martino despite Miami's struggles against Atlanta United in their Round One Best-of-3 series. An unused substitute in all three matches, it showed that the club's value in him lessened throughout the season — and that he'd likely be worth more and valued more by a different team in 2025.

GOAL's ideal landing spot: The New England Revolution — When Gressel was traded from the Vancouver Whitecaps to the Columbus Crew, the U.S. international was adamant that he wanted to return to the East Coast. After he signed with Inter Miami ahead of the 2024 season, he remained in the conference of his choice, but it was never a good fit. Still a wanted man across the league, a return to the Northeast feels like a perfect fit.

A Providence graduate, returning to the area could feel like a homecoming for the 31-year-old and he would be the important cog of a revamped project under Caleb Porter, who has been cleaning house with the Revs after a disastrous 2024. Under Porter, he could be deployed in the midfield or the attack in a system focused on possession and stretching the pitch — two of Gressel's best qualities.

AdvertisementUSA Today ImagesLuciano Acosta, FC Cincinnati

Why he should request a trade: Acosta and FCC had a falling out following their playoff exit in November, with the former MLS MVP sharing his time may be over at the club.

"It could be the end at the club, we don’t know," Acosta said after NYCFC eliminated them in the first round of the postseason. "I have to keep talking, planning, and take a break, give my mind a break, and think of what’s coming, what’s best for the club and for me."

For the 30-year-old attacker, who still has ambitions to represent the USMNT, a move away from FCC may be the best way to make that happen. He's led FCC from Wooden Spoon holders in 2021 to being one of MLS' best teams, but they've never been able to take the next step — while their incoming transfer business has not particularly been successful over the past two years, either.

If Acosta wants to end his MLS career with an MLS Cup — or trophies of a larger nature — he likely needs to leave FCC, and this feels like the right time for both parties.

GOAL's ideal landing spot: LA Galaxy — After Campana was sent to the New England Revolution, freed up a DP slot in the buildup to the 2025 campaign. Using it on Acosta is the perfect solution.

Ahead of their CONCACAF Champions Cup and FIFA Club World Cup pushes, Javier Mascherano will be doing everything in his power to elevate the squad prior to tournament play.

Acosta fits perfectly in that mold, filling the gap that Diego Gomez left after his blockbuster transfer to Brighton in the English Premier League while providing another attacking option up front beneath Messi and Luis Suarez.

Factor in that he is another strong mentor for rising young American midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, too, and it makes too much sense.

Acosta's experience in MLS could be the missing piece that finally gets Messi and Co. hands on their two most coveted prizes: MLS Cup and the Club World Cup.

USA TodayDuncan McGuire, Orlando City

Why he should request a trade: McGuire’s 2024 was a whirlwind. In January, he had signed papers and posed for photos with Blackburn ahead of a European transfer—only for a paperwork error to derail the move. He returned to Orlando City, but the club had already signed his replacement in Luis Muriel. Despite the setback, McGuire managed 18 starts across 27 appearances, scoring 10 goals.

He also represented the USMNT at the Summer Olympics as the roster's lone striker. However, after failing to score against France and New Zealand, he lost his starting spot two matches into the competition.

Upon return to the after the Paris Games, things didn't get much better for him, earning just one start through the remainder of the regular season into the playoffs under Oscar Pareja — even after signing a new long-term deal with the club in August. He became the club's third-string forward, behind Muriel while Ramiro Enrique emerged as the starting forward as Orlando climbed all the way to the Eastern Conference finals in the postseason.

Falling out of favor under Pareja, his poor showing in Paris and goal-scoring woes were detrimental marks to his 2024 campaign, and as a result, perhaps a change of scenery could put him back on track in 2025. Although a move to Europe cannot be ruled out again, switching clubs stateside could prove to be beneficial for him as he looks to make one last push to make the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad while furthering his career as a professional.

GOAL's ideal landing spot: San Jose Earthquakes or San Diego FC — With the Quakes, McGuire would be the centerpiece in a revamped squad under the guidance of former U.S. men's national team manager Bruce Arena. The club has already been linked with a move for USMNT forward Brandon Vazquez at Monterrey, so McGuire would be a forward who would make sense if things fall through with Vasquez.

At SDFC, Mcguire would join up with former USMNT assistant Mikey Varas, as he leads the club in their debut MLS season. A manager who has a reputation of helping young players progress, Mcguire could potentially flourish under him alongside Mexico superstar Chucky Lozano.

IMGANEryk Williamson, Portland Timbers

Why he should request a trade: Williamson made just 10 starts in 2024 despite appearing in 28 regular-season matches under Portland manager Phil Neville. It was the most action he’s seen in a single campaign since entering the league in 2019 — a reflection of the persistent injuries that have repeatedly disrupted his career. Still, he showed this past season that he’s more than capable of performing at a starting level in MLS, contributing two goals and three assists to Portland’s attack, even as the team struggled defensively.

While a spot on Mauricio Pochettino's 2026 USMNT World Cup squad seems unlikely, Williamson made a strong impression across his six international caps, with his last appearance coming in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup.

At 27, Williamson has battled through adversity with the Timbers, battling through setbacks and showing flashes of his best form when healthy. A change of scenery– and perhaps a shift away from Portland’s turf surface — could be exactly what he needs to reignite his career. Anyone who’s watched him play knows there’s still plenty of quality there, and he deserves a chance to anchor a midfield in MLS.

GOAL's ideal landing spot: LAFC — After Ilie Sanchez departed the club as a free agent and Eduard Atuesta's loan ended in 2024, LAFC manager Steve Cherundolo will be looking for at least two new midfielders heading into 2025. Williamson fits perfectly into what the club is looking for, with a defensive-minded central midfielder who presses well and pushes the ball forward well in transition.

However, there is one major caveat to any hypothetical transfer. His girlfriend, Kelli Hubly, played alongside him in Portland with the Thorns until her contract ran out at the end of 2024, and the two parties couldn't come together over a renewal. There's a high-percentage chance that wherever she ends up next, he will likely be close — so any move, like one to LAFC, would likely involve a market with an NWSL side. In this scenario, that would be Angel City.