Philadelphia Union transfer Jack McGlynn to Houston Dynamo for $2.1 million plus add-ons

The Philadelphia Union wasted no time taking advantage of a new MLS mechanism allowing reaching a deal to send midfielder Jack McGlynn to the Houston Dynamo for $2.1 million plus an additional $1.3 million if certain performance metrics are met.

McGlynn, 21, became a regular fixture in the midfield the last two seasons logging 40 starts in MLS league play and nearly 8,000 minutes all competitions during his time with the first team. His future with the club did appear somewhat in doubt after he was released to the recent USMNT January camp while other players in the squad were not. The Queens, New York native made the best of his time with the USMNT, earning his first start, first goal and first assist for the senior national team.

“Over the past three years, (Jack McGlynn) has been a key part of our midfield, and we are incredibly proud of his growth,” said Union Sporting Director Ernst Tanner in a news release. “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.”

While not mentioned in the press release, Philadelphia Inquirer writer Jonathan Tannenwald has reported that New York City FC and New York Red Bulls will each receive 20 percent of any future sell-on fee since they both had territorial rights to the New York native when he joined the Union’s academy from BW Gottschee Academy in 2019.

McGlynn’s fit in the Union’s system was always a question mark but he continued to progress through the ranks of the team and with new head coach Bradley Carnell coming in with even more of an emphasis on high pressing over possession, it raised questions of whether a player like McGlynn with skills possessing and distributing the ball but liabilities defending. In Houston, he’ll slot into a team coached by Middletown, Pa. native and FC Delco alum Ben Olsen that should be more suitable to his skillset. He’ll occupy a U22 Initiative spot on the Dynamo’s roster.

“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 President of Soccer Pat Onstad said in a news release. “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.”

Instituted in January 2025, the cash for player trade allow MLS clubs to use an unlimited amount of out-of-pocket funds (cash) to trade for players, allowing MLS clubs to acquire talent from within the league without having to use general allocation money or other assets. Similar to transfer fees, clubs may convert revenue generated by these trades to General Allocation Money.

Moving a popular player who came through the club’s development system to another MLS team is not necessarily the ideal for a fanbase that is still reeling from missing the playoffs last season and the subsequent firing of long-time head coach Jim Curtin. With the season opener 19 days away there’s plenty of time for Tanner to spend the money acquired from McGlynn’s trade to reinforce the midfield but time is running out for the team to gel before the opener. To date, just one player has been added outside the club – Argentine center back Ian Glavinovich.