USMNT Summer Transfer Ratings: Will Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna Get the Transfers They Need?

This summer has been a quiet one for Americans on the transfer market. Despite players like Weston McKennie (Juventus) and Gio Reyna (Dortmund) not playing at their best for their clubs, they have not made any moves yet, although something could come up when the transfer window closes next week. From the Premier League's drastic spending cuts to uncertainty about player performance, many factors play into why there have been no moves yet, only in preparation for the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Many members of the USMNT need to be playing high-level soccer as soon as possible, and these two years will be critical for the team and the individual players.

This summer isn't crucial to World Cup prospects, but after last season was a losing one for the likes of Matt Turner and Reyna, it's crucial to ensure they're in the best possible positions for the future. Let's take a look at who has already completed transfers and which players could move before transfer windows close around the world.

Mark McKenzie from Genk to Toulouse

While Mark McKenzie thrived at Genk, he hasn't been able to impress consistently in the USMNT. This is partly due to Tim Ream's strong performances at left back when he played club football alongside Antonee Robinson, but McKenzie has also been unable to impress when he has the opportunities. Now moving to Ligue 1, McKenzie will face challenges every week at club level, in a league where finesse is important.

McKenzie can play in a back three or back four. If this move works out well, it will be a blessing for the 25-year-old to get another chance alongside Chris Richards as the USMNT's best center-back pairing. A move to Germany might have been better, but it's hard not to like a country where he can compete for a starting spot and have an outside chance of playing in European competitions.
Grade: B

Brenden Aaronson returns from Union Berlin to Leeds

While this isn't an entirely new move for Brenden Aaronson, having played at Leeds United prior to their relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2022/23 season, it's a chance for him to earn consistent game time. Aaronson helped Union Berlin stay in the Bundesliga after a strong end to the season, but so far he hasn't started a game since returning to Leeds. After scoring as a substitute in the season opener for the Whites, he could soon start, but it's also fair to wonder whether Aaronson shouldn't have pushed to move somewhere where he would be a central figure in attack.

This place should have been a reality and not just a theory, but a return to Leeds will depend on what all parties make of it. If Aaronson plays well, that's great, but if he doesn't, this season could set him back.
Grade: C

Gaga Slonina on loan from Chelsea to Barnsley

At just 20 years old, Gaga Slonina is entering a phase of his career where he needs as many minutes under pressure as possible. Given his talent, that's what you'd expect at Championship level, but playing every three to four days for a Barnsley side pushing for promotion is a good compromise. Slonina has made a good start for the Tykes, saving two penalties on his EFL Cup debut and then making seven saves in his first league game. It would be great if he didn't have to save seven balls every game, but knowing he can do it is good.

After his move to Eupen, which helped him get used to Europe, this is a step to show that he can succeed outside of Major League Soccer. From here to the Premier League, the young goalkeeper probably has another step to take, but his time at Barnsley will show where that step will lie in the future.
Grade: C+

Tim Ream from Fulham to Charlotte FC

After a great career at Fulham, Tim Ream has come to the United States to lead the defense of a competitive Charlotte side. It's not the most flashy signing, but it's an important one to help bring in the next generation of defenders. Ream is unlikely to play in the 2026 World Cup, but if he does, his vast experience will likely mean it won't matter where he plays for his club. It's a good move to continue Dean Smith's restructure of Charlotte to succeed, while also being a positive step for Ream.
Class: A

Transfer grade: Incomplete

This group of players has not yet moved but could move before the transfer window closes

Weston McKennie: Juventus saying McKennie can leave the club is like a sign that the transfer window is open. This is the second summer in a row that it looked like he would leave, but reported interest from Aston Villa and FC Cincinnati has not resulted in a move. Now there is a chance McKennie could land straight in Thiago Motta's Juventus squad. After a disappointing performance for the USMNT at the Copa America, McKennie is a player who will need to impress to ensure he remains a USMNT regular, but playing at Juventus in the Champions League is probably his best chance to do so.

Matt Turner: Turner is back on the bench at Nottingham Forest and needs to play or face a move between the sticks with the USMNT. Although he has held that position before at Arsenal, it is a different time for the national team now, with other goalkeepers jostling for minutes. Turner doesn't necessarily need to stay in Europe to keep a place on the national team, but he does need to play.

Gio Reyna: After another lost season, Reyna is back to square one at Borussia Dortmund. He barely got any playing time while on loan at Nottingham Forest, and although Dortmund has a new coach in Nuri Sahin, that doesn't mean Reyna will get more playing time. Despite only being 21 years old, Reyna hasn't played a single game since the 2021/22 season, in which he made 32 league appearances for the Black and Yellows. His talent is undeniable, but will that matter if he doesn't get any playing time?

Tanner Tessman: What a strange summer it has been for Tessemann. Venezia are back in Serie A, but it doesn't look like he will be involved in the team after his move to Inter fell through. He could move to Fiorentina, but that too seems unlikely, and what seemed like a great situation for the 22-year-old is now quite uncertain. Tessmann is not far from getting opportunities in the senior team, but these could slip away from him if he joins the wrong club.