Jan 13 San Jose Earthquakes Acquire Chicho Arango While Real Salt Lake Also Transfer Matt Crooks | OneFootball

Real Salt Lake seems to be in a bit of a roster overhaul here heading into 2025. With that Real Salt Lake have traded star striker Chicho Arango to the San Jose Earthquakes as well as transferring midfielder Matty Crooks to Hull City in the EFL Championship. In the Arango trade, RSL is getting back $1.4m in GAM as well as an international roster spot. With these moves the Real Salt Lake attack has definitely taken a hit. The striker depth chart now consists of Elias Manoel, Foster Ajago, as well as Axel Kei. The attacking midfield depth chart just seemingly consists of Diogo Goncalves and maybe Diego Luna? I would assume that Real Salt Lake has plans for a few more signings this offseason but we will see what moves come across the page soon enough.

For San Jose, Bruce Arena is making some moves! The Quakes now add a MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield winner who has been arguably one of the best strikers in MLS over the last 5 seasons. The 29 year old makes this club a playoff side in my opinion. The other moves this off-season elevated the floor of this squad, but, now adding a true game winner is the changer here for me. Arango did have 17 goals and 6 assists in 2024, but did struggle come late summer after his suspension. We will see what version of Arango shows up in San Jose, but if Bruce has his finger on this… I’d assume that Arango has another dominant campaign.