As Austin FC approaches its inaugural season in 2021, they have begun building out their roster in anticipation for their first kick-off. With the clubs first two signings of Cecilio Dominguez (DP) and Rodney Redes, the team hasn’t wasted time in bringing players on board. Although the first two Austin FC signings hail from South America, the next smoke bomb teaser tweet from McConaughey could very well be to announce a prominent USMNT player. 

It’s not a foreign thought for an expansion team in MLS to sign a domestic talent who’s represented the country on the world’s stage. In their inaugural seasons in the league we saw Atlanta United sign goalkeeper Brad Guzan, and just last year Nashville made a considerable investment in signing centre back, Walker Zimmerman. You can even see non-expansion teams sign big name USMNT players to help kick-start a revamp of their team, such as Toronto in 2014/15 when they signed both Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. Signing players who have featured or could continue to feature for the USMNT helps not only add a bit of marketability and name recognition for the casual fan but also provides a big plus of bringing in quality players, without taking up an international roster spot; something that is a limited commodity in MLS with teams only being allowed 8. For Austin FC, there’s an added rationale in that head coach Josh Wolff has been spending his recent years serving as the assistant coach for the national team under Gregg Berhalter. This means he’s considerably more familiar with this pool of players than most, and knows who amongst that pool could fit well into his system. 

So who are players that Austin should and could realistically sign? (If you aren’t familiar with the various MLS salary rules and restrictions and don’t want to feel completely lost when you read the word “GAM” then read this.)

Fabian Johnson

Position: Left Midfielder / Left Back | Club: Borussia Mönchengladbach | National team caps: 52

In terms of experience and name recognition, Fabian Johnson brings more to the table than anyone on this list. He’s played for clubs like Wolffsburg, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and has also represented USA at the world cup in Brazil. When discussing his quality, former USMNT teammate Herc Gomez said Johnson was, in his opinion, “easily the most talented player in that pool.” Johnson can be deployed on the wing or serve as a fullback so he definitely checks the versatility box well. Between his strong technical ability, high workrate, and a decent bit of pace, it’s not hard to imagine him being a genuine threat in MLS. 

This deal could be a likely one as well with Mönchengladbach announcing they will not be bringing back the 32-year-old for this season, making him a free agent. He’s been heavily linked with “multiple MLS teams” this summer but the one main setback could be his wages. Many reports claim that Johnson is set on obtaining a DP contract, were he to play in America. While he offers many valuable skills, most fans would consider his return rate of 18 goals and 29 assists in 208 Bundesliga appearances to not fully warrant a DP status. That being said, Reyna and Wolff have noted multiple times being focused on the team as a whole, rather than finding big stars that a system revolves around. With all of his versatility and experience, Johnson could be just the type of player they’re looking for.  

Tim Ream

Position: Center Back | Club: Fulham | National team caps: 40

Tim Ream makes a lot of sense for a lot of reasons. He’s not only a player with top level experience in the premier league, but under the Berhalter/Wolff nation team system, he’s become a more regular feature. It’s clear the coaching staff rate him highly. On top of that, Ream has some decent defensive versatility in that he can play as both a CB or LB. Another added bonus of bringing in Ream is that he’s a defender, and a good one at that. MLS is famously all attack and no defense but as it grows in quality, a strong defense has become more common amongst the best teams in the league. Signing someone of Ream’s quality could help elevate Austin as a whole by providing a strong defensive core. 

At 32, Ream is no spring chicken but he would undoubtedly bring a veteran’s perspective to the locker room that based on the first two signings, will be largely filled with young talent. The two major setbacks with Ream are his salary, which currently is around 1 million which would make him a DP in the league, and the fact that his current club, Fulham, are on the verge of returning to the Premier League. Despite these two setbacks, knowing Ream is older, and that his contract is set to end in 2021, it wouldn’t be a surprise if in the winter window or summer window of 2021, Austin could strike a deal and utilize the large amount of allocation money that expansion teams are provided to offer him a smaller contract to avoid wasting a DP spot.  

When you consider his leadership, experience and comfort within the Berhalter/Wolff system, Ream quickly starts to seem like a perfect signing for El Tree. 

Julian Green 

Position: Forward | Club: Greuther Fürth | National team caps: 15

With a last name being one of the main colors of the team, this signing has to happen, right? His name aside, Green would be not only a good signing for Austin FC but a somewhat revolutionary one for the league. Typically when USMNT players come back to MLS, it is as an older, soon-to-be retired star. Green however, is still only 25, and despite some star-studded moments on the big stage, he has yet to truly establish himself. Austin FC could be the restart his career needs. Having mentioned a strong desire to return to the national team earlier in the year, moving from the second division in Germany to MLS, not to mention playing for someone with close ties to the national team, would certainly help put him more prominently on Berhalter’s radar.  

A product of the Bayern Munich academy, Green was once one of the hottest stars on the rise for the USA when he came onto the scene. After scoring with his first touch of the game at the world cup in Brazil against Belgium, he seemed destined for a promising career. Unfortunately, moves to struggling teams, and inconsistent playing has cooled the hype and now Green could be looking for a new challenge. He’s not only a player with untapped potential but also one that could thrive in Wolff’s system. He’s a quick, tricky player who can play up top or on the wing. He also possesses a level of skill on the ball that could truly shine in this league. At a current salary of only $445,000, Green could sign for Austin FC without taking up a DP spot or even using GAM. Considering his low salary hit and the player’s potential, this is a gamble that Austin should absolutely be willing to take.   

Alfredo Morales

Position: Defensive Midfielder | Club: Fortuna Düsseldorf | National team caps: 16

All great teams need a strong midfield that can win and keep the ball and it’s hard to think of a better prospect to do this than Alfredo Morales. A natural ball winner and what many would describe and an out-and-out destroyer, Morales possesses skills and quality that many teams in the league lack. He’s a player with a good ability to read the game, win back the ball and organize his midfield. Morales is the type of player that does the dirty work. He’s an aggressive ball winner who has done it for years in one of the best leagues in the world, so it’s safe to say that he could do it in MLS. At just 30 years old, he still has plenty of years left in the tank and could be a dominant force in Austin’s midfield for years to come. 

With his contract expiring in 2021, he could be an easy pick-up for Austin. When you factor in the fact that his salary is under a million and that he could see his salary bought down with the use of GAM, this signing feels like a no-brainer. In case you’re still left wondering if a CDM is worth the investment in the league, just ask a Timbers fan how important Diego Chara has been for them… 

Bobby Wood

Position: Forward | Club: Hamburger SV | National team caps: 45

Out of all the players in the USMNT pool, you could argue no one needs a change of scenery more than Bobby Wood. Having only logged 152 minutes with Hamburger SV over the past year, Wood is in desperate need of more playing time and a fresh start. 

Singing Wood would however certainly strike a bit of controversy, especially if he claimed a DP spot as the forward has struggled in recent years. It is worth noting though, that not only has he played for teams with a reputation of being poorly set up and unorganized from top to bottom, but he is also the type of player who would thrive in Wolff's system. He’s a striker with good pace, strength and a good ability to play off his teammates and create chances in the final third. Just as Zardes was revitalized after moving from the Galaxy to Columbus and thrived in the Berhalter/Wolff system, Wood could experience the same type of renaissance. While we’re on the Zardes comparison, it’s worth mentioning that Wood has one more goal than Zardes on the international stage, with 13 less appearances. 

He’s been heavily linked with the league over the past year, having held talks with FC Cincinnati and DC United. While many fans would agree Woods recent performances and stats wouldn’t warrant a DP salary, if Austin could buy him down with GAM, he could absolutely be a gamble worth taking. Considering that he is only 27, he’s the type of gamble that could pay off for years to come.  

While the team continues to build its roster, it will be smart to keep tabs on the players listed. Adding a player with national team experience not only adds interest amongst casual fans but also helps inspire younger players with aspirations of playing for the USA. Knowing Wolff’s familiarity with the USMNT player pool from his time with the national team, these players wouldn’t just add a boost to the locker room and spark interest amongst fans, but would also fit in seamlessly into Wolff’s system.