🇺🇸 State of the Union: Toronto trading, weekly awards, stadium news | OneFootball

After the Fourth of July weekend, it’s back to business for the MLS clubs looking to improve their squads.

Toronto’s busy summer in the transfer market looks set to continue, and Bruce Arena features heavily in our tidbits…

Toronto’s Pozuelo on verge of joining Inter Miami

After a brilliant start to his Toronto career, things have turned rather sour for Alejandro Pozuelo north of the border.

The 2020 MLS Most Valuable Player has four goals and four assists to his credit in 16 league games this season.

But it seems 30-year-old Pozuelo is surplus to requirements and the Spaniard is set to join Inter Miami.

Bernardeschi to join Toronto’s Italian contingent?

With Pozuelo moving on to new pastures, it didn’t take long for reports of Toronto adding to their ranks.

Having already brought in Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Criscito on free transfers, the Canadian outfit look set to complete a hat-trick of arrivals from Serie A.

Landing Italy international Federico Bernardeschi as their next Designated Player would represent yet another fantastic bit of business by club president Bill Manning.

Vrioni completes switch to Revolution

One deal that is signed, sealed and delivered is that of Giacomo Vrioni to New England Revolution.

The now ex-Juventus striker moves to the Revs for a reported initial fee of $3.8M.

Manager Bruce Arena will no doubt hope the Albania international can fill the Adam Buksa-sized hole in his attack.

New stadium for New England?

Speaking of the former USA Men’s National Team manager, Arena had positive news for Revs fans.

While ostensibly talking about the acquisition of Vrioni, the Revs’ boss also insisted that a new stadium is in the offing for the franchise.

Playing all the way out in Foxboro Stadium has certainly hindered them in attracting bigger crowds from the Boston market, and Arena is hopeful a soccer-specific home will aid recruitment in the long-term as well.

Fountas named Player of the Week

There really couldn’t any other choice, could there?

A hat-trick by Taxiarchis Fountas set DC United on their way to a thrilling 5-3 win at Orlando City.

That’s nine goals in 10 league games since joining from Rapid Vienna in March. Some start to the Greece international’s career in the capital!

Team of the Week

It came as no surprise to see Fountas named in the MLS Team of the Week.

In all, 10 clubs are represented in the XI. The only club to have two players selected are LA Galaxy (Julián Araujo and Rayan Raveloson) after their thumping 4-0 win at home to CF Montréal.

Fires extinguished at dilapidated RFK Stadium

While it was a good weekend on the road for DC United, their old stomping ground was in the news on Tuesday after two fires broke out at RFK Stadium.

Thankfully there were no injuries reported.

Built in 1961 and a venue for several different sports and teams over the years, the building last hosted the Black and Red when they lost to New York Red Bulls in October 2017.

Throwback rack 👕

While it may be little more than a rotting shell now, there were some great days for United at RFK.

One of them was in August 1996 when Marco Etcheverry (pictured) & Co overcome Tampa Bay Mutiny 3-0.

They would wear this white strip in the MLS Cup final against LA Galaxy later that year, with the aforementioned Arena in charge as they won 3-2 at Foxboro Stadium.