USMNT summer transfer grades: Will Weston McKennie and Gio Reyna get their needed moves?

With the transfer window now over, while it has been a slow summer for Americans on the move, there are quite a few intriguing things that have happened. Tanner Tessmann and Mark McKenzie are both now in France as they look to push for starting roles within the United States men’s national team and Matt Turner is back expected back in London with Crystal Palace in a move that is not yet official. Even more intriguing are those who stayed with their clubs as Weston McKennie signed a contract extension with Juventus while Brenden Aaronson and Gio Reyna will stay with their clubs and fight for playing time.

From the Premier League’s crackdown on spending to the uncertainty of how players could perform, there are a lot of factors at play in why many moves haven’t happened but 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 crucial for the team and individuals. 

This summer isn’t a make-or-break one for World Cup fortunes but after last season was a wasted one for players like Turner and Reyna, ensuring that they’re in the best positions possible moving forward is critical. Let’s take a look at grading the moves that have been completed: 

Matt Turner from Nottingham Forest to Crystal Palace

Matt Turner needed playing time anyway that he could get it as he’s joined Crystal Palace on loan. As a result, there is a chance at more minutes which is key if he wants to stay on as the USMNT’s No. 1 goalkeeper. Turner will go from being a keeper in a crowded room at Forest to the primary backup to Dean Henderson at Palace. But while that means Turner will get minutes in the EFL and FA Cup, with Palace having no European commitments, the only way he’ll likely become the starter ahead of the England international is in the case of an injury. 

With that taken into account, it’s hard to fully judge this move but at least it’s only a loan. If Turner does do well in limited minutes, the door could open for him to get a better move elsewhere in the future ahead of the 2026 World Cup on home soil. 
Grade: C

Auston Trusty from Sheffield United to Celtic

We have another USMNT reunion for clubs as Auston Trusty makes a move to Celtic from Sheffield United. Trusty will partner with fellow USMNT man Cameron Carter-Vickers with the duo also being involved in Champions League play. It will also give the Bhoys quite a Concacaf spine in defense with Canadian international Alistair Johnston to their right. After being relegated from the Premier League to the Championship with the Blades, Trusty will sign a five-year deal in Scotland that could be critical moving forward. The center back pairing for the USMNT is in flux and while the Scottish Premiership may not have the highest amount of quality compared to other leagues in the world, Celtic’s Champions League experience is what could lead to a national team breakthrough.
Grade: B

Mark McKenzie from Genk to Toulouse

While Mark McKenzie thrived playing for Genk, he hasn’t been able to get a consistent run in the USMNT. Part of that is due to Tim Ream’s strong performances on the left side of the defense while playing his club soccer alongside Antonee Robinson, but McKenzie also failed to impress in his chances. Now getting a move to Ligue 1, McKenzie will be challenged each week at the club level in a league where finesse is important.

Able to play in a back three or a back four, if McKenzie does well in this move it will be a boon for the 25-year-old to get another shot alongside Chris Richards as the top USMNT center back pairing. While a move to Germany may have been better, it’s hard not to like a place where he can challenge for a starting spot and have an outside chance at playing in European competition. 
Grade: B

Brenden Aaronson back to Leeds from Union Berlin

While this isn’t completely a new move for Brenden Aaronson as he was with Leeds United prior to their relegation from the Premier League at the end of the 2022-23 season, it is a chance for him to earn consistent playing time. Aaronson did help Union Berlin stay in the Bundesliga after a strong end to the season but so far returning to Leeds, he has now returned to the starting XI scoring two goals for the Whites.

If Aaronson can stick in the XI under Daniel Farke, this will be a great situation to get things back on track.
Grade: C+

Gaga Slonina from Chelsea to Barnsley on loan

Only 20, Gaga Slonina is entering a stage of his career where he needs as many high-pressure minutes as he can possibly get. Given his talent level, it would’ve been expected for that to come at the Championship level, but playing matches every three to four days for a Barnsley side that are pushing for promotion is a good compromise. Slonina has gotten off to a good start for the Tykes saving two penalties in his EFL Cup debut then following it up by making seven saves in his first league start. It’ll be great if he doesn’t need to make seven saves in every match but knowing that he can is good.

After a move to Eupen that helped acclimate him to Europe, this is a move to show that he can thrive outside of Major League Soccer. There is likely still a step needed between here and the Premier League for the young keeper but time at Barnsley will show where that step will be in the future.
Grade: C+

Tim Ream from Fulham to Charlotte FC

After a great career with Fulham, Tim Ream has come to the United States to help lead the defense of a competitive Charlotte side. This isn’t the flashiest of pickups but it’s an important one to help bring along the next generation of defenders. Ream likely won’t be involved in the 2026 World Cup, but if he is, where he plays his club soccer likely won’t matter due to how much experience he has. It’s a good move to help Dean Smith’s turnaround of Charlotte to continue to go well while also being a positive one for Ream.
Grade: A

Gio Reyna from Nottinham Forest to Borussia Dortmund

Like Aaronson, Gio Reyna’s move isn’t particularly a new one but after not playing for Nottingham Forest while on loan in the Premier League, Reyna has returned to Germany to fight for a spot. Playing nine minutes in Dortmund’s Bundesliga opener is an improvement but with new manager Nuri Sahin, only time will tell if the door is open for Reyna to earn more playing time this season. With Dortmund in the Champions League, there should be time for rotation which will give Reyna opportunities. Only 21, there is plenty of time for Reyna to become a consistent starter but he needs to be in the right place to make it happen.

Dortmund sporting director Sebastian Kehl has said that Reyna could become important for the team this season now we’ll have to see what exactly that means.
Grade: C

Tanner Tessmann from Venzia to Lyon

There has been a ton of turnover for Olympique Lyon this season with multiple first-team players departing but that opens the door for Tanner Tessmann to join the club. After a deal to Inter fell through, Tessmann was left without many options due to being deemed to be out of Venezia’s plans. After impressing at the Olympics, the move to Lyon will be a step up for the midfielder. If Lyon can get things settled, the side has a chance at European soccer for next season as opposed to Tessmann just working on avoiding relegation in Italy. 
Grade: B