MLS News Roundup: Legends retire, ambitious transfer targets and a new prince crowned

Tom Weber

• Updated: 10 Oct 2025 09:28 CDT
• 7 min read

News

The international window is in full swing, but headlines continue to be written in Major League Soccer.

Decision Day in MLS is coming up next week, but some clubs are still having to catch up with games. High-flying LAFC beat Toronto FC 2-0 in mid-week to leapfrog Minnesota United into third in the Western Conference standings.

Even without golden-boot chasing Denis Bouanga, who is vying for World Cup qualification with Gabon, LAFC have been able to keep up their good form, and they will again play on Sunday when they travel to Austin.

On Saturday, Inter Miami will face Atlanta United, Orlando City host the Vancouver Whitecaps, the Seattle Sounders welcome Real Salt Lake to Lumen Field and the LA Galaxy play FC Dallas. LAFC and the Whitecaps are both looking to beat San Diego to top spot in the West.

Dallas and RSL, meanwhile, will try to cement their spots in the playoffs. A victory for Dallas would see them go level on points with already-qualified Portland ahead of Decision Day.

Legends hang up their boots

With the MLS season slowly but surely drawing to a close, players are starting to announce their decisions for the future, and two legends have this week opted to reveal that they will hang up their boots at the end of the year.

Inter Miami left-back Jordi Alba, a Barcelona legend and still one of the best full-backs in MLS at 36, has announced that he will call time on his illustrious career when his contract expires in December. He is a European champion with Spain and Barcelona.

Over in Columbus, one of MLS's greatest midfielders, Darlington Nagbe, has also announced that he will retire. A 25-time US international, the former Portland and Atlanta star is gunning for his fifth MLS Cup - his third with the Crew - before leaving the big stage after the playoffs.

Vargas tops 22 under 22 list

While the old generation is calling it quits, the new generation is ready to claim the spotlight, and none more so than Seattle Sounders midfielder Obed Vargas, who has been crowned the new prince of MLS by coming first in the annual 22 under 22 list.

The Mexico international, who will take on Argentina in the quarter-final of the U20 World Cup on Saturday, has already racked up 127 appearances for the Sounders since his debut in 2021, aged just 15. He has played 38 games so far this season, scoring four times.

One of his best performances came against Lionel Messi and Co. in the Leagues Cup final. Vargas is expected to make the jump to Europe soon, with PSV and Club Brugge interested, but the Sounders are hoping for a contract extension.

Orlando City plot ambitious Richarlison swoop

Also this week, ESPN and Fabrizio Romano revealed that Orlando City are interested in an ambitious swoop for Tottenham striker Richarlison, with talks having already taken place.

ESPN reported that Spurs attempted to sign the Brazil international in the summer, only to baulk at Spurs' €40 million ($46m, £35m) asking price, which would have shattered the MLS transfer record.

Transfer insider Romano has provided different information. He states that franchise bosses recently travelled to London to outline their long-term project and show their ambition to the player. They did not make a formal offer and instead tried to lay the groundwork for a move in the future.

Edelman courted by European clubs

In other transfer news, New York Red Bulls homegrown midfielder Daniel Edelman is attracting attention from teams in Europe and could be on the move in the offseason.

Edelman was already the subject of offers in previous windows, but they did not match the Red Bulls' valuation. The 22-year-old is also fielding interest from teams around MLS.

While his suitors have not been named, reports in England have confirmed that he is likely to be a prominent name in the upcoming transfer window, with several clubs in the Championship keen on the US youth international.

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