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The depth of each free agent class seems to improve year after year. There may not be a Miles Robinson-level player who will get the full red-carpet treatment before signing a near-DP contract, but there are still plenty of players who will shape a team’s future.
Here are five we’re keeping the closest eye on. All salary info is courtesy of MLS Players Association (MLSPA) figures.
1. Jack Elliott | Center back | 29 years old | 2024 Salary: $893k
Yeah, Philadelphia weren’t as sharp defensively in 2024. But Elliott still put in another solid year of work. He’s been a critical piece of one of the league’s best teams since he arrived in 2017, and there should be teams eager to add him if Philly can’t renegotiate a deal.
For me, Elliott is the most immediately impactful free agent on the market. We’ll see if that means a huge salary bump. For now, giving up just a little extra Targeted Allocation Money (TAM) seems worth it for anyone who needs a high-caliber center back.
2. Ilie Sánchez | Midfielder | 34 years old | 2024 Salary: $1.267 million
That price tag seems way too hefty for a 34-year-old. However, Ilie still started 24 times for LAFC in 2024 and has played over 2,000 minutes every non-pandemic year since 2017.
Ilie simply goes out there and gets the job done again and again. That’s worth a lot of money. If a team can get him on a slightly reduced deal, they have a central midfielder who can be slotted in at any time and immediately provide experience and solidity.
3. João Paulo | Midfielder | 33 years old | 2024 Salary: $1.483 million
The injury concerns are a bit scary, and he turns 34 in March, but João Paulo can put in a shift when called upon. If a team can land him at a discount and get 15-20 starts out of him next season, they’ll probably be very happy with what they paid for.
He’s not pre-ACL tear João Paulo. But the Brazilian veteran still does nearly everything well as an all-around midfielder.
4. Albert Rusnák | Midfielder | 30 years old | 2024 Salary: $2.221 million
Another Sounders player makes the list, but he might not be here for long. Seattle are still working on re-signing Rusnák after a season in which he became perhaps the team’s most influential player. He produced a team-leading 26 goal contributions (10g/16a).
You’d expect Rusnák to return to the Sounders, but maybe another team swoops in and makes a godfather offer. Or maybe Seattle have different plans. Wherever Rusnák ends up, that team will have swiped perhaps the best overall player on the board. That might mean they’re paying DP money, though.
5. Jeremy Ebobisse | Forward | 27 years old | 2024 Salary: $1.005 million
Ebobisse didn’t have a strong year in San Jose. Then again, who did? He’s 27, his new deal shouldn’t break the bank and he still has plenty of potential.
Ebobisse scored 17 goals in 2022 and 10 in 2023 before a disappointing 2024. There’s reason to believe he can return to form with a change of scenery as he enters his prime years.
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