MLS Trading Deadline & Roster Freeze Date Looms

In just under 24 hours as I write this, at 5 p.m. Monday, MLS rosters will be set in stone for the rest of the season, until the day after MLS Cup.

Which means, incidentally, the Galaxy will be stuck with $130,000 a year defender Eduardo Dominguez ("he was all we could afford," one team official allegedly told a colleague of mine).

In any event, unlike in England, where the closure of the transfer window includes dramatic deadline day deals and live countdown coverage, things are likely to be significantly less tense here (the Galaxy swooped for USL goalkeeper Josh Saunders Friday - who hoo - and other names that were exchanged include the likes of Hunter Freeman).

Still, MLS trumpeted the improvement in talent in the league recently, issuing a list of the top in-coming players (50 from 21 countries) and 17 MLS players heading overseas.

Interesting reading:
Incoming Player Current Team Last Club Country of Birth
Tomasz Frankowski Chicago Fire CD Tenerife (Spain) Poland
Lider Marmol Chicago Fire Hercules CF (Spain) Paraguay
Brian McBride Chicago Fire Fulham FC (England) USA
Marco Pappa Chicago Fire CSD Municipal (Guatemala) Guatemala
Roberto Nurse Chivas USA Queretaro (Mexico) Mexico
Raphael Wicky Chivas USA FC Sion (Switzerland) Switzerland
Greg Dalby Colorado Rapids Charleroi SC (Belgium) USA
Cory Gibbs Colorado Rapids Charlton Athletic (England) USA
Tom McManus Colorado Rapids Dunfermine Ath. (Scotland) Scotland
Emmanuel Ekpo Columbus Crew Enyimba International (Nigeria) Nigeria
Pat Noonan Columbus Crew Aalesunds FK (Norway) USA
Gino Padula Columbus Crew Montpellier HSC (France) Argentina
Louis Crayton D.C. United FC Basel (Switzerland) Liberia
Marcelo Gallardo D.C. United Paris-Saint Germain (France) Argentina
Gonzalo Martinez D.C. United Millonarios (Colombia) Colombia
Gonzalo Peralta D.C. United Almirante Brown (Argentina) Argentina
Duilio Davino FC Dallas Club America (Mexico) Mexico
Andre Rocha FC Dallas Atletico Paranaense (Brazil) Brazil
Victor Sikora FC Dallas NAC Breda (Netherlands) Netherlands
Tony Caig Houston Gretna (Scotland) England
Nate Jaqua Houston SC Rheindorf Altach (Austria) USA
Claudio Lopez Kansas City Club America (Mexico) Argentina
Ivan Trujillo Kansas City La Equidad (Colombia) Colombia
Josh Wolff Kansas City 1860 Munich (Germany) USA
Eduardo Dominguez Galaxy Huracan (Argentina) Argentina
Eddie Lewis Galaxy Derby County (England) USA
Alvaro Pires Galaxy Spartak Nalchik (Russia) Brazil
Gabriel Badilla Revolution Saprissa (Costa Rica) Costa Rica
Mauricio Castro Revolution Olimpia (Honduras) Honduras
Oscar Echeverry Red Bulls Atletico Nacional (Colombia) Colombia
Gabriel Cichero Red Bulls Deportivo Italia (Venezuela) Venezuela
Diego Jimenez Red Bulls UAG Tecos (Mexico) Mexico
Juan Pietravallo Red Bulls A.S. Veria (Greece) Argentina
Jorge Rojas Red Bulls UA Maracaibo (Venezuela) Venezuela
Nat Borchers Real Salt Lake Odd Grenland (Norway) USA
Kenny Deuchar Real Salt Lake Gretna (Scotland) Scotland
Ian Joy Real Salt Lake St. Pauli FC (Germany) USA
Clint Mathis Real Salt Lake Ergotelis FC (Greece) USA
Jamison Olave Real Salt Lake Deportivo Cali (Colombia) Colombia
Robbie Russell Real Salt Lake Viborg FF (Norway) USA
Mikel Arce San Jose CD Lourdes (Spain) Spain
Ramiro Corrales San Jose S.K. Brann (Norway) USA
Darren Huckerby San Jose Norwich City (England) England
Francisco Lima San Jose Brescia Calcio (Italy) Brazil
Kasey Keller Seattle Fulham FC (England) USA
Amado Guevara Toronto CD Motagua (Honduras) Honduras
Rohan Ricketts Toronto Barnsley (England) England
Tyler Rosenlund Toronto Atvidaberg (Sweden) Canada
Johann Smith Toronto Bolton Wanderers (England) USA
Jarrod Smith Toronto Hawke's Bay Utd (New Zealand)New Zealand
Marco Velez Toronto Puerto Rico Islanders (USL) Puerto Rico

Outgoing Player Original Team New Club Country of Birth
Matt Pickens Chicago Fire QPR (England) USA
Brad Guzan Chivas USA Aston Villa (England) USA
Marcos Gonzalez Columbus Crew Universidad Catolica (Chile) Brazil
Bryan Arguez D.C. United Hertha Berlin (Germany) USA
Troy Perkins D.C. United Valerenga (Norway) USA
Chris Gbandi FC Dallas FK Haugesand (Norway) Liberia
Clarence Goodson FC Dallas IK Start (Norway) USA
Juan Carlos Toja FC Dallas Steaua Bucuresti (Romania) Colombia
Nate Jaqua Houston SC Rheindorf Altach (Austria) USA
Joseph Ngwenya Houston SK Austria Karnten (Austria) Zimbabwe
Will John Wizards Randers FC (Denmark) USA
Eddie Johnson Wizards Fulham (England) USA
Clint Mathis Galaxy Egotelis FC (Greece) USA
Andy Dorman Revolution St. Mirren FC (Scotland) Scotland
Pat Noonan Revolution Aalesunds FK (Norway) USA
Jozy Altidore Red Bulls Villarreal CF (Spain) USA
Maurice Edu Toronto FC Rangers FC (Scotland) USA