Dynamo acquires USMNT midfielder Jack McGlynn in trade

Jack McGlynn earned his U.S. men’s national team debut in January and will now find himself in new club colors this MLS season.

McGlynn was acquired by the Houston Dynamo in a cash trade with the Philadelphia Union, both teams announced today. Philadelphia will receive $2.1 million, marking the first cash-for-player trade for a Homegrown player in MLS history and one of the largest trades in league history.

In addition, the Union could also receive up to an additional $1.3 million if certain performance-based metrics are met. McGlynn will occupy a U22 Initiative Slot. 

“Jack is one of the bright, young American talents in both MLS and the U.S. National Team player pool, and we look forward to his continued development in Houston,” said Dynamo President of Soccer Pat Onstad. “We expect him to thrive in our possession-oriented style of play, as Jack’s strengths match the attributes that we value in our central midfielders. With over 100 MLS appearances, he is a very proven player to occupy our fourth U22 Initiative spot on the roster. We are excited to welcome Jack to Houston as we push for a successful 20th Season.” 

McGlynn came up through the Union academy and proceeded to become one of the rising talents in MLS. He made 108 regular season appearances for the club, scoring seven goals and adding 15 assists.

The 21-year-old is coming off a career year for the Union, which led to him making his USMNT debut last month. McGlynn scored once against Venezuela while also registering one assist.

A former USYNT standout, McGlynn also represented the United States as the 2024 Olympic Games.

“We want to thank Jack for his dedication and contributions to the team, both on and off the field,” said Philadelphia Union Sporting Director, Ernst Tanner. “Over the past three years, he has been a key part of our midfield, and we are incredibly proud of his growth. At this time, we believe this move is best for both the club and for Jack, allowing us to use the significant proceeds to reinvest and refine our roster, while placing him in an environment suited to his style of play and continued development. We have no doubt he’ll enjoy a successful career, and we look forward to following his journey.”

Philadelphia failed to reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2024 while Houston was eliminated by the Seattle Sounders after a pair of shootout losses.