MLS

Portland Timbers, Brian Fernandez Feature In Top MLS Deadline Day Moves

Portland Timbers, Brian Fernandez Feature In Top MLS Deadline Day Moves

The MLS transfer deadline has come and gone, and the Portland Timbers are the day's big winner.

May 9, 2019
Portland Timbers, Brian Fernandez Feature In Top MLS Deadline Day Moves

Major League Soccer’s primary transfer window came to a close Tuesday night, and several clubs produced a flurry of activity before the next opportunity opens in July. Whereas some remained relatively quiet in the dying hours, others made big moves to address urgent needs, create depth, or build for the future. 

FloFC takes a look at the top moves from across the league before the door closed.

Brian Fernandez | Portland Timbers

The Timbers hit nothing short of a home run in acquiring 24-year-old Brian Fernandez from Liga MX outfit Necaxa, and there’s so much about this acquisition to digest. They managed to lure the league’s second-leading scorer away from a side that just recently qualified for the playoffs — their postseason begins tonight against Monterrey. Moreover, once Portland were sure they had found their man, they made no mistake by triggering his release clause and paying $10 million, a new club record.



Through seven games the Timbers found themselves in panic mode at the bottom of the table, but three wins on the bounce have cleared the air. Their record signing’s nose for goal and ability to play anywhere on the front line could accelerate their ascent to another playoff appearance.

David Accam | Columbus Crew

Columbus pulled off perhaps the shrewdest move in acquiring pacy attacker David Accam. The 28-year-old joined in exchange for an international roster spot, as well as $400,000 in General Allocation Money and $100,000 in Targeted Allocation Money.

The goals have been few and far between for Caleb Porter’s men so far in 2019. They’ve been largely unable to break down opponents and create quality chances in the final third, and Wednesday’s 3-1 win over the Galaxy was their first multi-goal outing dating all the way back to March 30. Accam’s ability to stretch back lines, open up space for teammates, and score himself could jumpstart the attack as a whole and help get Gyasi Zardes going.



Favio Alvarez | LA Galaxy

The loss of Romain Alessandrini to a serious knee injury was a heavy blow for LA, who have done everything in their power to keep pace with their cross-town rivals so far this season. In steps 26-year-old Favio Alvarez on loan from Argentine club Atletico Tucuman, and he appears primed to help pick up the slack up top and play in a number of ways alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

“Favio is a talented and dynamic attacking player who will be a valuable addition to our roster,” Galaxy General Manager Dennis te Kloese said in a statement. “He has a versatile skill set that will allow him to play multiple positions in our attack.”

Head coach Guillermo Schelotto was alerted to the Argentine’s talents during his time at Boca Juniors and Lanus. Alvarez will look to bring a little bit of flair to the City of Angels.



Xavier Arreaga & Joevin Jones | Seattle Sounders

If we’re being completely honest, Seattle already had one of the more complete rosters in the league. Is that reason to sit on your heels? Of course not.

The Sounders have garnered a reputation in recent years for digging an early hole before utilizing summer transfer activity and a drastic turnaround in form to roll into the playoffs. They look to be taking care of things sooner rather than later this time around and made a significant move for the present and future in singing Ecuadorian center back Xavier Arreaga. The 24-year-old arrives from Barcelona SC in Ecuador’s Serie A, having made 75 appearances with eight goals scored over the last four years, and will provide cover for aging defenders Chad Marshall and Roman Torres.



Two seasons ago, Joevin Jones was arguably the best left back in the league and played a significant role in their run to MLS Cup. A couple of years in Germany for Darmstadt 98 will have given the Trinidadian a healthy amount of experience against quality opposition to bring back to the Emerald City. At 27 years of age, Jones should fit right in and challenge for playing time with his ability to play left back and winger.

Benny Feilhaber | Sporting KC

The man is back in town. While it’s nothing close to splashing a club record fee for a talented striker, I’m a huge fan of this signing. Sporting KC have been decimated by injuries and could essentially use any kind of assistance at the moment.



That help comes in the form of Benny Feilhaber, a proven player in this league and one who knows the club inside and out. The 34-year-old joined in exchange for defender Abdul Rwatubyaye, $50,000 in Targeted Allocation Money, a 2019 international roster spot and KC’s natural second-round pick in next year’s Superdraft. He is on the heels of what has been an abysmal start to 2019 for the Colorado Rapids, but a return to the club of his heyday could help inject life as coach Peter Vermes looks to right the ship following a string of poor results.