With a steady drip, free agents have signed with MLS clubs since conversations began December 16.
Now, with most teams set to begin preseason training sessions March 8 ahead of the 2021 season, some intriguing names are still on the open market. As a reminder, eligible players are 24 years of age and older, have five MLS service years and are out of contract or have had their option declined.
Aside from the below five names, it’s worth noting that defensive midfielder Osvaldo Alonso and left back Justin Morrow are both still available. However, Alonso has been strongly reported with a return to Minnesota United FC and the same goes for Morrow at Toronto FC.
Juan Agudelo
Juan Agudelo spent the 2020 season with Inter Miami CF | USA Today Sports
Agudelo, like many other players from Inter Miami CF’s expansion season, falls into the “didn’t quite work out” bucket. And while Agudelo might not be an every-game, 90-minute striker who’s pushing double-digit goals, the former US men’s national team darling can still pull a rabbit out of his hat.
At the right price and right fit, Agudelo can be an impactful MLS contributor. Plus, it’s hard not to wonder if his sky-high potential will ever be realized to its fullest extent. Lest you forget, Agudelo entered MLS in 2010 as a homegrown with the New York Red Bulls and seemed like a bonafide future USMNT star.
Looking at his full MLS career, Agudelo has 49 goals and 22 assists in 229 games (141 starts). He spent 2012-13 with now-defunct Chivas USA before spending most of six seasons with the New England Revolution. Agudelo tried a European move at Stoke City, but it didn’t quite pan out.
Dom Dwyer
A former Designated Player with Orlando City SC, Dwyer is coming off arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to treat a partial patellar tendon tear. Some clubs might be hesitant based on that fact alone, while others could look at Dwyer’s track record and have interest.
Across 195 games (165) starts, Dwyer has 81 goals and 18 assists since joining the league in 2012 with Sporting Kansas City. He’s then spent the last four years with Orlando, reaching double-digit goals on four occasions.
Dwyer has some USMNT experience, too, scoring twice in four games. He last played internationally in 2017.
Joevin Jones
Juan Agudelo spent the 2020 season with Inter Miami CF | USA Today Sports
Jones was part of MLS Cup-winning teams in Seattle in 2016 and 2019, so he’s got a winning pedigree. There’s also versatility, with Jones able to play outside back and in midfield.
A left-footed playmaker who has 76 caps with Trinidad and Tobago’s national team, he comes with six goals and 20 assists in 121 games (102 appearances). Jones originally entered MLS in 2015 with Chicago Fire FC, then spent portions of four years with Seattle.
In between, Jones also spent time with German club Darmstadt 98 in the 2. Bundesliga. He could head back overseas, but there's also the built-in familiarity with MLS teams.
Kei Kamara
Does a ninth MLS club await Kamara? The 36-year-old forward has a lengthy MLS résumé that places him fifth all-time on the MLS goalscoring charts with 130 goals across 359 matches. He’s chipped in 47 assists, too, renowned for his locker-room presence along the way.
A strong aerial presence, Kamara’s best season occurred in 2015 with Columbus Crew SC. That’s when he scored 22 goals and helped the club reach that year’s MLS Cup, plus earned MLS Best XI honors.
Kamara had back-to-back 14-goal seasons as recently as 2018-19, so there’s more in the tank than some might think. He’s also solid in hold-up play, using his size and dribbling ability to connect with runners.
Jeff Larentowicz
If you want experience in the center of the park, few offer more than Larentowicz. He spent the last four seasons with Atlanta United, reaching 437 career appearances and 35,589 minutes played – true ironman figures.
Larentowicz has long played center mid, but can also drop to center back when needed. He’s also won two MLS Cups and two U.S. Open Cups, with his trophy haul dipping into time with the New England Revolution and the Colorado Rapids.
A Brown University product, Larentowicz originally entered MLS in 2005. He still made 11 starts (19 appearances) last year, so he’s still producing at a decent clip.
