MLS transfer roundup: Mo Adams to Inter Miami, Harrison Afful to Charlotte FC & more

It's not quite silly season yet, but MLS clubs are already wheeling and dealing to bolster their rosters ahead of the 2022 campaign.

Thursday saw the New England Revolution secure the transfer of United States international midfielder Sebastian Lletget from the LA Galaxy. The New York Red Bulls also brought Dylan Nealis on board, reuniting him with his older brother, Sean.

Though there wasn't a blockbuster move like Lletgets, Friday was even busier, with transfers right across the league.

Here are five you might have missed:

1. FC Cincinnati sign Alvas Powell via free agency

New FC Cincy head coach Pat Noonan is getting his seat warm, and he's not wasting any time getting some much-needed reinforcements through the door either.

Just a day after adding goalkeeper Alec Kann from Atlanta United, the Orange and Blue signed full-back Alvas Powell from the Philadelphia Union - both via free agency. Having worked together in Philly, Noonan knows exactly what he's getting with Powell.

“Having worked with Alvas last season, his work ethic and his team-first mentality were apparent from day one,” he said in a club press release. “He understands the clear expectations we have and will be a great fit for how we want to play.”

Powell will be equally comfortable in Cincy having played for the club during their inaugural 2019 MLS season.

2. Yordy Reyna and Harrison Afful the latest in at Charlotte FC

It's been a busy week for Charlotte FC as they continue to fill out their roster ahead of their expansion season. The midweek Expansion Draft saw them improve considerably at the back with the signings of Anton Walkes and Joseph Mora, while McKinze Gaines is a player they're clearly excited about.

But perhaps the most eye-catching moves they made were picking up Tristan Blackmon and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, only to immediately trade them on for a boatload of General Allocation Money (GAM).

Well, it was all part of the plan. On Friday, CLTFC brought in a heap of MLS experience to the right-back position in Harrison Afful, while they continued what will be an on-going process of building out their attack with the addition of Yordy Reyna. Both via free agency.

35-year-old Afful played 189 games during his time with the crew, helping them win MLS Cup in 2020. Reyna, meanwhile, has 23 goals and 19 assists to his name in 97 MLS appearances with the Vancouver Whitecaps and DC United combined.

3. Mo Adams swaps ATL for Inter Miami, Dylan Castanheira goes the other way

It never quite worked out at Atlanta United for Mo Adams, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years. He'll be hoping for more luck now as he moves south to Inter Miami on a free transfer.

On his day, Adams has what it takes to be a strong MLS-standard defensive midfielder, while his ability to fill in at right-back provides invaluable depth in a salary-capped league.

Going the other way is goalkeeper Dylan Castanheira, returning to Atlanta after two years away to help provide cover for Brad Guzan.

4. Jared Stroud re-signs with Austin FC

In all honesty, it would have been a shock if Austin FC had let Jared Stroud's contract expire without something in place to bring him back. The 25-year-old notched a goal and four assists in just 13 starts in 2021 and clearly has potential.

Indeed, Stroud has returned on a new deal that keeps him in Texas for another year, with options to extend his contract all the way through 2024.

"We’re very happy to have Jared back for the 2022 season,” sporting director Claudio Reyna said in a club statement. “He’s a motivated player with a lot of potential, and we look forward to seeing him take a big step forward in his career next season.”

5. Nashville sign center-back Josh Bauer in Re-Entry Draft

Round one of the MSL Re-Entry Draft is done and in the end, Nashville SC were the only side to make a move. The Tennessee side have brought center-back Josh Bauer on board after the 23-year-old left Atlanta United.

Bauer joined the Five Stripes in the 2021 SuperDraft but didn't manage a single senior appearance, instead playing 27 times in the USL Championship with Atlanta United 2.

Round two of the Re-Entry Draft is on Thursday.