NEW YORK (Thursday, February 15, 2024) – Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Major League Soccer Players Association (MLSPA) today announced a new jointly-aligned Anti-Discrimination Policy to go into effect as the 2024 MLS season begins on February 21. The policy is the first of its kind in professional sports in that it is centered on restorative practices, prioritizing education, prevention, training, and cultural awareness.

MLS,MLSPA, and Black Players for Change (BPC) worked closely together on the development of this policy, as well as on the design of Playing as One: MLS’ new intercultural awareness training program required for all MLS players, head coaches and technical staff.

As the youngest and most diverse league in the world, with players from over 80 nations, it is critical that MLS players are provided the space to express their cultural identities and learn more about the cultures of their teammates to avoid culturally inappropriate and insensitive behavior.

“I want to thank the MLSPA and Black Players for Change for sharing in MLS’ commitment to do the hard and necessary work of reinforcing MLS as a league of choice. Our aim is to inspire and attract the best players in the world by ensuring that we also have the best playing environment in the world. Our collective action to address on-field racial and discriminatory incidents at its root will ensure that as the youngest and most diverse league in the world, we meet this challenge and opportunity with the commensurate level of fortitude, understanding and accountability. Respect for and restoration of relationships is at the heart of this joint approach,” said MLS Chief Engagement and Inclusion Officer Sola Winley.

“MLS is one of the most diverse leagues in the world. Players of various races and nationalities play in our league, and our diverse player pool is one of our greatest strengths.  All players deserve to play this game free of discrimination and to have our cultures welcomed, included and respected. This innovative policy is a significant step in building a more inclusive game for all of us and for setting an example for all of sports,” said Earl Edwards, Jr., MLSPA Executive Board Member and Black Players for Change President.  

“Player-leaders of the MLSPA and the BPC deserve tremendous credit for raising these issues and for steadfastly working with MLS to bring these changes about,” said Eric Harrington, MLSPA General Counsel. “By embracing culturally inclusive training to prevent discrimination and restorative practices to remedy it when it occurs, we can prevent discrimination and support players who are harmed by it while providing a pathway of healing for everyone.”

“This groundbreaking anti-discrimination policy and intercultural awareness training signifies a commitment to equality, to embracing diversity and a clear declaration that every player, regardless of background has a place and a voice,” said Allen Hopkins Jr, Executive Director for Black Players for Change. “Together, we are architects of transformation and remain relentless in our pursuit of soccer’s true potential. Black Players for Change, MLS and the MLSPA know this collective power isn’t the endgame; it’s the inception of a movement where strength meets intention and solidarity.”

Joint Anti-Discrimination Policy

The goal of the new MLS-MLSPA Joint Anti-Discrimination Policy is to eliminate on-field racial and discriminatory incidents by deterring misconduct, achieving both discipline and accountability, and encouraging honesty, growth and education.

The policy is grounded in “restorative practices,” a method that has been proven to lead to increased positive outcomes such as changed behavior, true understanding and fostering of inclusive environments. MLS and the MLSPA take racial and discriminatory incidents incredibly seriously, which is why this policy is built on innovative best practices.

Under the new Joint Anti-Discrimination Policy:

• Any players involved in a discriminatory incident will have the opportunity to speak confidentially with a trained facilitator. The facilitator will play a formal role in evaluating the situation and offering a proposed restorative plan when appropriate.
• Restorative plans may include multiple sessions between the alleged offender and the restorative practices facilitator to understand the harm caused and potentially provide the alleged offender an opportunity to make amends with those harmed by his conduct, in addition to education and personalized counseling.
• All allegations will continue to be thoroughly reviewed, which shall include assessments of video and audio footage, a review of the official match report and interviews with relevant witnesses.
• The Commissioner retains the authority to issue discipline if it is determined that a violation occurred.
  • A player who accepts responsibility for his mistake and agrees to engage in a restorative plan will face less severe discipline than if he denies committing the act and is found, based on all the evidence, to have been untruthful or misleading.
• There may be occasions when an accused player is placed on paid administrative leave while a review is ongoing. Such placement is not considered discipline and does not mean that the league has determined a violation to have occurred.
• Public statements or announcements in connection with these matters will be limited to confirming:
  • When/if the league is reviewing a player’s conduct under this policy.
  • When/if a player has been placed on paid administrative leave pending a review of the incident.
  • The Commissioner’s determination as to whether a violation occurred.
  • The discipline imposed on a player.
  • When/if a restorative practices resolution has been reached either in lieu of other discipline or in conjunction with other discipline.
• MLS and the MLSPA are establishing a Policy Advisory Board to continuously discuss the policy’s effectiveness and identify ways to build an even more inclusive league.

This policy was developed through collaboration between league, club, BPC and MLSPA stakeholders over the last several months.

Intercultural Awareness Trainings: Playing As One

As part of MLS’ effort to re-center its anti-discrimination efforts around deeper cultural understanding and inclusion, the league – along with the MLSPA and BPC – have launched a new Inter-Cultural Awareness Training, Playing as One. Trainings have been taking place in-person in the weeks leading up to the 2024 season and are required to be completed by all players, head coaches and technical staff before the season begins.

This comprehensive, restoratively oriented cultural awareness program is being facilitated by former MLS players, who also participated in the curriculum design.  A list of former MLS players serving as facilitators can be found HERE.

The trainings are focused on helping players and staff understand each other’s cultures and customs and harmful stereotypes, as well as how they expect to be treated on and off the field. Conversations about how to manage competitive stress and control emotions on the field are also a key part of the training. While each locker room discussion is unique, common themes include respect, pride, curiosity, courage, leadership and unity.

Surveys found that nearly 80 percent of those who participated in these trainings between Jan. 16 and Feb. 13 determined the session to be “very” or “extremely” impactful.

NEW YORK  – Major League Soccer (MLS) today announced its world-class team of talented broadcasters and soccer legends for the second season of MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. Following the highly successful inaugural season of MLS Season Pass, the game-changing service will feature a deep roster of many returning familiar faces, as well as respected and talented newcomers, for the 2024 MLS Season.

This group will bring their experience, energy, and passion for the game to help deliver the most comprehensive and extensive MLS viewing experience for fans in more than 100 countries and regions. MLS Season Pass features expansive coverage including every match of the regular season, Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, the MLS All-Star Game, and Leagues Cup all in one place, with consistent match times and no blackouts. This season will once again feature a seasoned group of more than 80 broadcasters, bringing together one of the largest on-air talent groups for a single sports property.

Studio Talent

MLS fans can tune-in for dedicated studio programming to preview weekly matchups, dissect key moments, and hear compelling stories from around the league all season long. The popular live whip-around show MLS 360, which provides live look-ins from every match alongside expert analysis and discussion, will be available in Spanish for the first time beginning in 2024.

MLS 360 in English will be led by new host Kevin Egan, who previously served as a game play-by-play announcer.  Egan will be joined by returning accomplished studio talent and renowned professional soccer players Sacha Kljestan, Kaylyn Kyle, and Bradley Wright-Phillips.

MLS 360 in Spanish will be hosted by returning MLS Season Pass broadcaster Tony Cherchi. He will be joined by former professional player Miguel Gallardo, and Giovanni Savarese, a former player and MLS Cup finalist head coach.

Pregame and postgame coverage will once again be available in English and Spanish with the return of MLS Countdown and MLS Wrap Up in English and MLS La Previa and MLS El Resumen in Spanish. Both English and Spanish pregame shows will be extended to an hour for this season, delivering fans more action and analysis leading into games. Additionally, postgame coverage in both languages will begin at a consistent time (12:30 a.m. ET) to provide a more predictable time for fans to tune-in for a recap of all the night’s action.

English language pregame and postgame shows will feature the dynamic team of studio host and analyst Liam McHugh and Andrew Wiebe who will be joined by the likes of Shep Messing, Kljestan, Kyle, and Wright-Phillips. Additionally, Jillian Sakovits, Calen Carr, and Matt Doyle will return for in-depth previews and coverage.

Antonella Gonzalez will take on a new role as host of MLS La Previa and MLS El Resumen and will be joined by Gallardo and Savarese each match night, with other analysts joining at key moments in the season.

Match Play-by-Play and Analyst Teams

An all-star roster of more than 60 play-by-play announcers and expert analysts will be in the booth and sidelines calling matches each week. Their expertise and passion for the game will keep fans entertained and informed throughout the season. The MLS Season Pass play-by-play and analyst teams feature some of the most decorated and credible voices in the sport including Taylor Twellman (match analyst), Diego Valeri (match analyst), Kyndra de St. Aubin (match analyst), Maurice Edu (match analyst), Lori Lindsey (match analyst), Marcelo Balboa (match analyst), Max Bretos (play-by-play), Steve Cangialosi (play-by-play), Jake Zivin (play-by-play), Pablo Ramírez (play-by-play), Frédéric Lord (play-by-play), and Sammy Sadovnik (play-by-play).

New additions to this year’s team providing match analysis include Jalil Anibaba, former professional player and recently retired MLS defender making his broadcast debut; Warren Barton, former defender for the England National Team and soccer analyst; Jesús Bracamontes, Mexican former professional football player, manager, and veteran broadcast analyst; and Daniel Chapela, veteran Venezeluan sports journalist.

The play-by-play team will also add new respected and leading sports hometown voices including Nate Bukaty, Neil Sika, and Joe Tolleson. Two additional play-by-play Spanish commentators include John Laguna, who has served as a lead play-by-play announcer for FOX Deportes, and Jesús Acosta, who recently served as an announcer for Premier League World Feed in Spanish.

The team of broadcasters for this year’s MLS Season Pass will bring their knowledgeable and fresh perspectives to elevate coverage of live matches. The roster of analyst and play-by-play teams include:

ANALYST TEAM
Andrés Agulla	Paul Dolan	Carlos Ruiz
Jalil Anibaba	Brian Dunseth	Lloyd Sam
Diego Arrioja	Maurice Edu	Ross Smith
Marcelo Balboa	Danny Higginbotham	Carlos Suárez
Eduardo Biscayart	Devon Kerr	Claudio Suárez
Jesús Bracamontes	Lori Lindsey	Greg Sutton
Luis Gerardo Bucci	Jaime Macias	Diego Tabares
Calen Carr	Pablo Mariño	Mariano Trujillo
Daniel Chapela	Heath Pearce	Taylor Twellman
Maximiliano Cordaro	Carlos Pavón	Diego Valeri
Vincent Destouches	Francisco Pinto	Warren Barton
Kyndra De St. Aubin	Walter Roque	Martín Zuñíga

PLAY-BY-PLAY TEAM
Jesús Acosta	John Laguna	Sergio Ruiz
Max Bretos	Rodolfo Landeros	Sammy Sadovnik
Nate Bukaty	Moisés Linares	Oscar Salazar
Steve Cangialosi	Frédéric Lord	Neil Sika
Keith Costigan	Jorge Perez-Navarro	Tyler Terens
Alejandro Figueredo	Diego Pessolano	Joe Tolleson
Mark Followill	Blake Price	Callum Williams
Adrian García- Márquez	Pablo Ramírez	Chris Wittyngham
Raúl Guzmán	Francisco X. Rivera	Bruno Vain
Tony Husband	Mark Rogondino	Jake Zivin
Eric Krakauer

Fans in the U.S. and Canada will continue to have the option to select their home team’s radio broadcast for match audio where available. Fans have the ability to join matches live or watch the entire match from the start anytime on demand, with condensed match recaps available for all games. With the Multiview feature, fans can enjoy up to four simultaneous matches at once on Apple TV 4K devices and on iPad. Fans around the world can enjoy MLS Season Pass in English, Spanish, or French where available, including closed captions.

MLS’s 29th season kickoff will be the earliest in league history as Lionel Messi and reigning Leagues Cup champion Inter Miami CF host Real Salt Lake in a standalone match on Wednesday, February 21, at DRV PNK Stadium. The match will air at 8 p.m. ET exclusively on MLS Season Pass on Apple TV. MLS is Back opening week action continues with MLS clubs competing across a slate of 14 matches on Saturday, February 24, and Sunday, February 25.

MLS Season Pass is available on billions of devices through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, as well as on the web at tv.apple.com . Fans can also access MLS Season Pass from the Apple TV app on Apple Vision Pro, where they can watch games alongside other apps in their space; within an Environment, so the screen feels 100 feet wide; and with Spatial Audio, for the most immersive viewing experience. To learn more about how to subscribe to MLS Season Pass, visit apple.co/_MLS_.

Sporting Kansas City and sporting director Gavin Wilkinson have mutually agreed to part ways, just eight days after Wilkinson was formally hired. The club’s principal owner, Michael Illig, released a statement confirming the departure, emphasizing the importance of the Sporting Kansas City community, including fans, supporters, partners, and stakeholders. The decision reflects the club’s respect for their voices and commitment to honoring and protecting valued relationships.

The hiring process for the new sporting director was diligent and thorough, adhering to the club’s deeply-held principles and standards. However, the response from fans reaffirmed the fundamental philosophy of listening to one another and acting in the best interest of the Sporting family.

Peter Vermes, previously serving as the club’s technical director and then sporting director, has been named the chief soccer officer and manager of Sporting Kansas City. Vermes, the longest-tenured manager in MLS history, will oversee the club’s soccer operations and continue his role as the team’s coach. He has led the team to notable successes, including the 2013 MLS Cup and three US Open Cup championships.

Gavin Wilkinson’s departure comes as a significant development for Sporting Kansas City, indicating the club’s responsiveness to its community and dedication to maintaining strong relationships within the Sporting family. As the team moves forward, Vermes’ elevated role as CSO and manager will be crucial in guiding the club’s direction and success in the coming seasons.

NEW YORK(Thursday, January 18, 2024) – Last year, the attention of global soccer turned to North America as eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and 2023 Best FIFA Men’s Player Lionel Messi joined Inter Miami and Major League Soccer (MLS). To kick-off the new year, MLS today announced the broadcast details for Inter Miami’s 2024 preseason friendly matches ahead of the launch of the regular season scheduled for February 21st.

Inter Miami will begin their seven-game preseason tour with friendlies against the El Salvador national team on Friday, January 19 and FC Dallas on Monday, January 22. Both games will stream live on MLSsoccer.com (English) and MLSes.com (Spanish) worldwide.

Subscribers to MLS Season Pass on Apple TV can enjoy five Inter Miami preseason matches, including the club’s can’t miss matchup against Al-Nassr FC at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh on Thursday, February 1st at 1:00 p.m. ET. The match will pit Inter Miami star Lionel Messi against five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, the Saudi Pro League’s leading scorer. Messi and Ronaldo have faced each other 35 times in their careers, with Messi claiming 16 wins to 10 by Ronaldo, and nine draws between them. In those matches, Messi has tallied 21 goals and 12 assists, while Ronaldo has registered 20 goals and one assist.

On Thursday, February 15th at 7:30 p.m. ET, Inter Miami will welcome Messi’s childhood club, Newell’s Old Boys, for the club’s final 2024 pre-season friendly.

The following is the complete list of preseason matches scheduled to broadcast in the coming weeks.

Date	Team	Location	Broadcast
January 19 at 8 p.m. ET	El Salvador	Estadio Cuscatlán	MLSsoccer.com, MLSes.com
January 22 at 6 p.m. ET	FC Dallas	Cotton Bowl Stadium	MLSsoccer.com, MLSes.com
January 29 at 1 p.m. ET	Al Hilal SFC	Kingdom Arena	MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
February 1 at 1 p.m. ET	Al Hilal SFC	Kingdom Arena	MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
February 4 at 3 a.m. ET	Hong Kong Team	Hong Kong Stadium	MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
February 7 at 5 a.m. ET	Vissel Kobe	Japan National Stadium	MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
February 15 at 7:30 p.m. ET	Newell’s Old Boys	DRV PNK Stadium	MLS Season Pass on Apple TV

Available in more than 100 countries and regions and offering the most expansive and accessible programming lineup ever, MLS Season Pass is the first global streaming service to offer every match across a major league in one dedicated destination. Fans can enjoy every MLS game with no blackouts and more in-depth coverage and analysis than ever before on billions of devices through the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, game consoles, and online at tv.apple.com.

Philadelphia Union have signed Bolivian defender Jamir Berdecio on loan from the top-flight Bolivian side Oriente Petrolero. The deal for the 21-year-old runs through the 2024 MLS season and includes a purchase option, as announced by the club.

Union sporting director Ernst Tanner expressed excitement about the young talent, noting Berdecio’s impressive play in both the Bolivian Primera División and Bolivia’s U-23 national team. Tanner looks forward to integrating Berdecio into the Union’s system of play and contributing to his development.

Berdecio, primarily a right-back, has made 37 all-competition appearances since debuting for Oriente Petrolero in 2021. His arrival at Philadelphia adds depth to the Union’s defense, alongside Cameroon international Olivier Mbaizo and homegrown standout Nathan Harriel.

Recently called up to Bolivia’s U-23s, Berdecio was ultimately left off head coach Antonio Carlos Zago’s final roster for the 2024 Conmebol Pre-Olympic Tournament.

The Union are set to begin their 2024 season on February 20th against Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in Concacaf Champions Cup action. Their MLS regular-season slate opens four days later, on February 24th, at home against Chicago Fire FC.

Berdecio’s move to the MLS represents a significant step in his career, offering him the opportunity to showcase his skills on a bigger stage and further his development in a competitive league like the MLS. The Philadelphia Union, known for their strong defensive play, will be looking to leverage Berdecio’s talents as they aim for success in the upcoming season.

The LA Galaxy has made a significant addition to their squad by signing forward Miguel Berry for the upcoming seasons.

Berry, aged 26, has been acquired by the LA Galaxy through a trade with Atlanta United, in exchange for LA’s natural second-round pick in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. The contract signed by Berry extends through the 2025 MLS season, with a club option for 2026. This move comes after Berry’s stint at Atlanta United in 2023, where he made 27 appearances, including 10 starts, scoring one goal and assisting another.

Over his four-season career in the MLS, Berry has played for Columbus Crew, D.C. United, and Atlanta United, recording 11 goals and three assists in 75 regular-season matches. He started 40 of these games, showcasing his potential as a reliable forward in the league. Berry’s best performance came in his rookie season with Columbus in 2021, where he scored eight goals and provided two assists in 18 matches.

The addition of Berry to LA Galaxy’s roster is seen as a strategic move to strengthen their attacking options. This is particularly pertinent following the trade of Preston Judd to the San Jose Earthquakes. Berry will be expected to add depth and versatility to the Galaxy’s frontline, alongside Serbian international and U22 Initiative signing Dejan Joveljić.

LA Galaxy’s General Manager Will Kuntz expressed excitement about working with Berry and adding his attacking experience to the team’s roster. This acquisition reflects LA Galaxy’s continued efforts to bolster their squad as they aim for a return to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2024. Last season, the team finished 13th in the Western Conference, which was a disappointing outcome hamstrung by injuries.

Berry’s move to LA Galaxy adds an interesting dynamic to the team’s attack, raising expectations for the upcoming season. The Galaxy’s fans and management will be eagerly awaiting to see how Berry’s integration into the team impacts their performance in the MLS.

The Colorado Rapids have bolstered their squad with the signings of their top three selections from the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.

Midfielder Wayne Frederick, winger Kimani Stewart-Baynes, and defender Nate Jones are the latest additions to the Rapids, following their selection as three of the top five picks in the SuperDraft. Frederick, the No. 2 overall pick, inked a three-year deal with an option for 2027. Stewart-Baynes, selected fourth overall, also signed a three-year contract, with options for 2027 and 2028. Jones, originally chosen by Austin FC as the fifth overall pick before a draft-day trade, agreed to a one-year contract with options extending through 2025 to 2027.

Frederick, a 19-year-old sophomore from Duke University, made 17 appearances in his 2023 campaign, recording three goals and three assists. Stewart-Baynes, an 18-year-old freshman from the University of Maryland, was named the 2023 Big Ten Freshman of the Year and contributed three goals and seven assists in 14 games. Jones, a 22-year-old junior from the University of Washington, earned First Team All-Pac 12 honors during his junior year, showcasing his defensive prowess.

Rapids president Pádraig Smith expressed excitement about the new signings, emphasizing that Frederick, Stewart-Baynes, and Jones possess the high-end potential and character the club seeks in draft selections. Head coach Chris Armas also noted his confidence in the players’ ability to integrate into the team and execute their style of play.

In addition to these signings, the Rapids announced that their final three 2024 SuperDraft selections – forward Palmer Ault, defender Anderson Rosa, and forward Gunnar Studenhofft – will return to their respective colleges. However, Colorado will retain their MLS rights due to SuperDraft regulations.

The Rapids, who have also signed US men’s national team players Zack Steffen and Djordje Mihailovic this winter, are set to commence their 2024 campaign on February 24 at the Portland Timbers.

January 16, 2024 – The San Jose Earthquakes have strengthened their goalkeeping options by signing veteran goalkeeper William Yarbrough for the 2024 MLS season, with an option for 2025. The signing was announced by the club on Tuesday, following the acquisition of Yarbrough’s rights from the Colorado Rapids in exchange for a natural third-round selection in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft.

Yarbrough, 34 years old and a former U.S. international, brings extensive experience to the Earthquakes. He joined the Rapids from Liga MX side Club León in 2020 and has since recorded 33 clean sheets in 101 league appearances. His tenure with Colorado saw him become the first-choice goalkeeper over the past four seasons.

San Jose General Manager Chris Leitch expressed his enthusiasm for Yarbrough’s arrival, highlighting the goalkeeper’s seasoned experience and championship pedigree. Yarbrough’s addition is expected to bring leadership and stability to the Earthquakes’ defense.

The move comes as the Earthquakes look to bolster their squad following a ninth-place finish in the Western Conference last season. With Brazilian goalkeeper Daniel likely to secure the No. 1 spot and JT Marcinkowski out long-term due to a knee injury, Yarbrough’s presence provides much-needed depth and competition in the goalkeeping department.

Yarbrough’s arrival at San Jose marks a new chapter in his career as the Earthquakes, under second-year manager Luchi Gonzalez, aim to improve their standings in the upcoming MLS season. The team is set to begin their 2024 campaign on February 24th against FC Dallas.

January 16, 2024 – The LA Galaxy have completed the signing of forward Miguel Berry for the 2025 Major League Soccer (MLS) season, with an option for the 2026 season. This move comes after the Galaxy acquired Berry’s player rights from Atlanta United in exchange for LA’s natural second-round pick (No. 33) in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft.

Miguel Berry, 26 years old, has a promising record in MLS, having scored 11 goals and provided three assists in 75 career regular-season matches. His playing career spans across four MLS seasons with teams like the Columbus Crew (2021-22), D.C. United (2022), and most recently, Atlanta United (2023).

The signing of Berry is a strategic move by the Galaxy, following the trade of Preston Judd to the San Jose Earthquakes. Berry is expected to add depth to the Galaxy’s attack, complementing Serbian international and U22 Initiative signing Dejan Joveljić. The Galaxy are also reportedly seeking a Designated Player No. 9 after parting ways with Chicharito.

LA Galaxy General Manager Will Kuntz expressed excitement about working with Berry and is looking forward to adding his attacking experience to the roster. The Galaxy, aiming for a return to the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, will count on Berry’s contributions to improve upon their last season’s performance, where they finished 13th in the Western Conference.

Berry’s arrival is part of LA Galaxy’s broader strategy to bolster their squad as they seek to make a significant impact in the upcoming MLS season. His experience and potential goal-scoring ability will be key assets as the Galaxy strive to climb back up the Western Conference standings.

New York, January 15, 2024: New York City FC has announced the acquisition of midfielder Andrés Perea from the Philadelphia Union, marking a significant move in the Eastern Conference. The transfer, confirmed on Monday, involves NYCFC sending Philadelphia $650,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) over the next two seasons, with an additional $150,000 in conditional-based GAM.

Perea, who previously spent the second half of the 2023 season on loan with NYCFC, had struggled to find his footing at Philadelphia after being traded from Orlando City SC. The Colombian-born U.S. international, who has one cap to his name, brings a record of 5 goals and 3 assists in 92 career matches (43 starts) since joining the league in 2020.

NYCFC’s Sporting Director, David Lee, expressed delight in making Perea’s position permanent, highlighting his impressive on-pitch performances and quick assimilation into the team both on and off the pitch. Lee also noted Perea’s compatibility with NYCFC’s style of play and his familiarity with the team’s players and staff, which should ease his transition this year.

Perea’s arrival bolsters NYCFC’s midfield options, joining the likes of James Sands, Keaton Parks, and Santiago Rodríguez. Meanwhile, the Union continues to rely on José Martínez and Jesús Bueno as their deep-lying midfielders.

Philadelphia Union’s Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner, thanked Perea for his contributions and acknowledged that the move to NYCFC was the best for his continued development and to maintain his meaningful role in the team.

This acquisition is particularly strategic for NYCFC, who missed the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs last year, finishing 11th in the East. The team is set to begin their new season on February 24th against Charlotte FC, hoping that Perea’s inclusion will provide the necessary boost to improve their standing in the upcoming MLS season.

Chicago Fire FC has announced the signing of Danish center back Tobias Salquist from Silkeborg IF. The 28-year-old defender is under contract with the Major League Soccer club through the 2025 season, with an option for 2026.

Georg Heitz, Fire FC’s sporting director, expressed confidence in Salquist’s abilities, stating, “We have been monitoring Tobias for almost 18 months and are impressed with many of his qualities. Not only do we feel that his technical ability will translate to play in MLS, but he has been a key player for a club that is well-organized and fighting for the top spots in a competitive league.”

Salquist has spent most of his professional career at Silkeborg, where he scored nine goals in 160 games. He has also played for clubs in Norway, Iceland, Belgium, and Denmark. With this move, Salquist joins a Chicago Fire center back group anchored by Rafael Czichos and Carlos Terán. This signing follows the offseason addition of left back Andrew Gutman, who joined from the Colorado Rapids.

The Chicago Fire retained head coach Frank Klopas for the 2024 season and are preparing for their regular-season opener against the Philadelphia Union on February 24. The team is looking to build momentum after last making the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs in 2017. The addition of Salquist is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the team’s defense and overall competitiveness in the upcoming season.