The big MLS moves we're all waiting for

A handful from the East and a handful from the West

The preseason grind continued over at MLSsoccer this week with two more columns, one each from the East and West, on the big moves we’re all kind of waiting for, given the state of certain rosters. Here you go:

• Western Conference: Biggest roster questions that need answers

• Eastern Conference: Biggest roster questions that need answers

I didn’t write directly at what are potentially the two biggest moves yet to be consummated: Lucho Acosta’s departure from FC Cincinnati, and Evander’s departure from Portland. Both potential moves are referenced throughout both columns, though, as FC Dallas could be in for Acosta while Orlando and Cincy seem to be the front-runners for Evander, should he force his way out of Timbersdom.

My reason for not digging more deeply into it is that these moves, should they happen, will just be like-for-like. Cincy sell Acosta, be it to Dallas or Estudiantes la Plata, and they replace him with another No. 10 who does more or less the same sorts of things. Portland sell Evander, and in comes David da Costa, a Portuguese No. 10 from Lens.

These are good and exciting moves, and I love the possibilities that the internal cash transfer market has opened up. It makes MLS better.

But also, there’s not a ton of analysis to do here besides “will the new No. 10 perform as well as the previous No. 10 did?” or “will the 24-year-old, $10m player develop as well as the 26-year-old, $15m player did?” We can flip a coin and have a take, but none of us can really answer those questions; it’s up to the players themselves.

My official prediction, based upon my own sources and a lot of Tom’s reporting, is that Lucho will end up in Argentina, Evander will end up in Cincinnati, da Costa will end up in Portland and Dallas will go shopping for a new, probably pretty young No. 10 from outside MLS.