MLS Ticker: Chiellini announces retirement, Lodeiro to leave Sounders, and more

One of the all-time defensive greats will be hanging up his cleats.

Giorgio Chiellini has announced his retirement following the conclusion of LAFC’s 2023 season, the club announced. Chiellini, 39, joined LAFC in 2022 and made 45 appearances across all competitions.

He helped LAFC win their first MLS Cup in 2022 and also reach MLS Cup this past season. LAFC also reached the CONCACAF Champions League and Campeones Cup Finals as well this year.

“Firstly, we would like to congratulate Giorgio on his legendary career,” LAFC Co-President & GM John Thorrington said. “We consider ourselves grateful that Giorgio, Carolina, Nina, and Olivia chose to spend the last 18 months of Giorgio’s playing days at LAFC. Giorgio is the best defender of his generation and an even better person.”

Prior to his MLS move, Chiellini spent close to 18 years leading Serie A side Juventus to nine-consecutive Serie A titles from 2011-2020. A three-time Serie A Defender of the Year, Chiellini was named to the Italian League’s Team of the Year five straight times from 2012-2018, in addition to winning five Italian Cups and five Italian Super Cups.

LAFC lost 2-1 to the Columbus Crew in MLS Cup this past weekend.

Here is a closer look at all of the latest MLS News:

Nicolas Lodeiro to depart Sounders after seven years

One of the Seattle Sounders’ best-ever players will be departing the club after seven years.

Nicolas Lodeiro will leave the club at year’s end, the club announced Tuesday. The Uruguayan joined the Sounders in 2016 and walks away as one of the most productive players in the franchise.

Lodeiro, 34, lifted two MLS Cups (2016, 2019) and one CONCACAF Champions League title (2022) in his time in Seattle. He also earned one MLS Best XI nod in 2020, as well as one inclusion in the MLS All-Star Game in 2019.

Lodeiro totaled 217 league appearances for the Sounders, contributing 49 goals and 91 assists in MLS.

Prior to his MLS move, Lodeiro played for Boca Juniors, Ajax, Nacional, Botafogo, and Corinthians. He also earned 60 caps for the Uruguayan national team, scoring five goals.

The Sounders were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2023.

Chris Durkin joins St. Louis CITY SC in trade from DC United

St. Louis CITY SC and DC United were one of several MLS pairs to engage in cross-conference trade on Tuesday.

The Western Conference club acquired defensive midfielder Chris Durkin from DC United on Tuesday, both clubs announced. In exchange for Durkin, DC United received midfielder Jared Stroud, defender Lucas Bartlett and $300,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money.

The 23-year-old came through the DC United youth ranks before totaling 96 appearances, five goals, and nine assists in two separate stints. Durkin has made 68 combined appearances for Belgian side Sint-Truiden in between his spells at DC United.

“Chris is a young talented defensive midfielder, who has gained a ton of great experience here in the U.S., over in Europe and with the youth national team,” said Sporting Director Lutz Pfannenstiel. “He has a hard working, ambitious and fighter mentality that makes him a good fit for this club.”

Stroud joins DC United after spending 2023 with St. Louis CITY SC in their inaugural season. He recorded five goals and five assists in 31 appearances for the club as they clinched a berth into the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup.

Stroud also featured for the New York Red Bulls and Austin FC in MLS.

Bartlett recorded one assist in 14 appearances for St. Louis last season. Prior to that, Bartlett was on loan at then-USL side North Texas SC after being drafted in 2022 by FC Dallas.

Rapids, Fire swap defenders Gutman, Navarro in trade

The Colorado Rapids and Chicago Fire were also among the busy MLS clubs on Tuesday.

Colorado acquired defender Miguel Navarro and $450,000 in General Allocation Money from the Chicago Fire FC in exchange for defender Andrew Gutman, the clubs announced today. The Fire would receive a percentage of any future transfer fee if Navarro were transferred to a team outside of MLS.

“Miguel is one of the most talented, exciting young left backs in MLS,” said Rapids Sporting Director, Fran Taylor. “We’re excited to welcome him to the club, and we believe he can develop into a core piece of our team’s backline with his skillset.”

The 24-year-old arrives in Colorado after spending the previous four seasons with the Fire. He made 104 appearances for Chicago across all competitions, delivering 11 assists. Prior to his move to MLS, Navarro spent time in his native Venezuela.

A product of the Chicago Fire Academy, Gutman returns to the Club with 107 appearances, 10 goals and 10 assists under his belt. Gutman previously played with FC Cincinnati, New York Red Bulls, and Atlanta United during his MLS career.

“We are thrilled to welcome Andrew back to the Fire,” said Chicago Fire FC Sporting Director Georg Heitz. “Andrew is an attacking fullback who possesses the specific skillset that we were seeking for this position. Additionally, as a Chicagoan and former Academy player, he understands what it means to represent this Club and is extremely motivated to help the team achieve our goals in 2024.”

Aaron Herrera traded to DC United in swap deal for Ruan

Aaron Herrera was also on the move on Tuesday, switching one Eastern Conference club for another.

DC United added Herrera from CF Montreal in a deal which sent Ruan and $500,000 in General Allocation Money to the Canadian club. The 26-year-old joins Jared Stroud and Lucas Bartlett as the latest DC United acquisition this fall.

Herrera debuted for Real Salt Lake in 2018 and since has totaled one goal and 21 assists in 151 MLS appearances. After spending the first five seasons of his career with RSL, Herrera was traded to CF Montreal ahead of the 2023 campaign.

“We are excited to welcome Aaron to D.C. United and we are thrilled to be securing an elite and proven defender in this league,” Ally Mackay, D.C. United General Manager and Chief Soccer Officer, said. “Aaron has been one of the top fullbacks in MLS over the last couple of seasons and we think his style of play aligns with our philosophy and will significantly bolster our roster in that position.”

The 28-year-old Ruan has logged 142 combined appearances between spells at Orlando City and DC United. He has scored four goals and registered 21 assists over that span, lifting the U.S. Open Cup in 2022 with the Lions.

“We are delighted with the acquisition of Ruan, one of the best right-backs in MLS,” said CF Montréal Vice-President and Chief Sporting Officer Olivier Renard. “With his excellent pace and crossing ability, he will fit in very well with our style of play. I’d also like to thank Aaron for his 2023 season with us, and we wish him all the best for the rest of his career.”

Jason Kreis named RSL Director of Operations and Special Projects

Jason Kreis has made his long-awaited return to Real Salt Lake.

Kreis was named the the club’s director of operations and special projects, RSL announced Tuesday. His newly-formed hybrid business and sporting role will report directly to club president John Kimball, in support of sporting director Kurt Schmid and head coach Pablo Mastroeni.

Kreis will also be tasked with integrating numerous business and community initiatives.

“Jason’s return to Utah is an exciting development for our entire club,” Kimball said in a release. “There is literally nothing Jason has not seen or experienced from a coaching and playing perspective as the league and sport have grown domestically.

“Returning to a place he and his family dearly love, to a club he helped build, gives Jason an opportunity to be exposed to and learn new aspects of our business, to see our community from a new perspective, and utilize his vast experience and connections across the world in support of Pablo, Kurt and everyone across our club.”

A former MLS standout with RSL and FC Dallas, Kreis also served as head coach of NYCFC and Orlando City during his career. He also worked within Inter Miami’s organization and served as head coach of the U.S. Under-23 men’s national team.

Quick Kicks:

• FC Cincinnati re-signed veteran midfielder Yuya Kubo to a two-year contact through 2025. Kubo made 37 appearances across all competitions for the Supporters’ Shield winners in 2023, the most since his 2017-18 campaign with Belgian side Gent. His contract also includes an option for 2026.
• The Columbus Crew re-signed three key pieces from their 2023 MLS Cup-winning roster. Defenders Steven Moreira and Rudy Camacho, as well as goalkeeper Evan Bush have all been retained ahead of the 2024 campaign.
• The Philadelphia Union bolstered their full back options in the form of 21-year-old Isaiah LeFlore. LeFlore signed a one-year deal with the Union after spending the last two seasons in MLS NEXT Pro with Houston Dynamo 2.
• Sporting KC added defensive help with Zorhan Bassong making the move to the Western Conference club. Bassong previously featured in MLS with CF Montreal, logging one assist in 36 appearances.