Jordan Adebayo-Smith’s productive 2023 MLS NEXT Pro season has earned him a move to the Western Conference.
Adebayo-Smith was acquired by Minnesota United on Monday in a trade with the New England Revolution. The Revs received $125,000 in 2024 General Allocation Money as part of the deal while Minnesota United received his Affiliate Priority Player Rights.
He signed a three-year contract with the Loons, which includes a club option for 2027.
Adebayo-Smith’s 12 goals in 2023 led Revs II while he also contributed six assists in 30 appearances (28 starts). Prior to joining Revs II, Adebayo-Smith also played for the Tampa Bay Rowdies and New York Red Bulls II in the USL Championship.
The 22-year-old is eligible to represent the United States, England, and Nigeria on the international level.
Minnesota United failed to make the postseason in 2023, which led to the departure of Adrian Heath as head coach.
Here is a closer look at all of the recent MLS NEXT Pro News:
Revs II announce coaching staff for 2024
New England Revolution II made several updates to their coaching staff ahead of the 2024 campaign.
Following Clint Peay’s move to the Revs first team as an assistant coach, Richie Williams will assume the role of Revs II Head Coach. Marcelo Santos has become Associate Head Coach while Goalkeeper Coach Yuta Nomura and Sports Performance Coach Pablo Di Benedetto also remain with the team.
Brandon Miskin has been promoted to Director of Soccer Operations.
“We are excited to have this staff of skilled and experienced coaches in place as we get set to begin the Revolution II preseason,” Sporting Director Curt Onalfo stated. “Coming off a record-setting year for our second team, a second MLS NEXT Cup Championship, and adding three more Homegrown Players to the first team roster, we are more confident than ever in the fact that our pro pathway is preparing these young players for the next stage of their careers. We are eager to see that growth continue in 2024.”
Williams becomes head coach after spending the last five seasons as a Revs assistant coach. While on the club’s first team coaching staff, Williams helped the Revolution to four postseason berths, a 2021 Supporters’ Shield title, and an appearance in the 2020 Eastern Conference Final.
He also previously served as an assistant coach with the U.S. men’s national team.
Chicago Fire II sign defender Jaylen Shannon
Defensive reinforcements are coming for Chicago Fire II.
The Eastern Conference club announced the signing of Jaylen Shannon to an MLS NEXT Pro contract through the 2024 season. Shannon will join up with the first team in Florida for 2024 preseason camp.
“It is exciting to welcome Jaylen to Chicago Fire FC II.” said Chicago Fire FC II General Manager Alex Boler. “Jaylen is a versatile defender that provides depth on our backline. Since his time at Western Michigan, he’s proven that his defensive prowess is very strong, and we’re excited to welcome him into our Club.”
Shannon, 23, joins Chicago Fire II after spending the last six years collegiately at Western Michigan University. During his time with the Broncos, he was a key piece of the 2023 team that claimed the Missouri Valley Conference championship, the first title in program history.
In 77 total appearances with the Broncos, Shannon has recorded three goals and seven assists, claiming United Soccer Coaches All-American honors in 2023 as well as Second Team All-MAC honors in 2022.
FC Cincinnati 2 adds defender Nico Benalcazar, winger Moises Tablante
FC Cincinnati 2 added two familiar faces with Nico Benalcazar and Moises Tablante making the move to the club.
Benalcazar spent the last two seasons with NYCFC II, logging 33 appearances, three goals and three assists. The 22-year-old spent six years in the NYCFC ranks and proceeded to sign a homegrown contract in 2022.
Benalcazar also excelled collegiately at Wake Forest University. He made 54 appearances over three seasons, scoring four goals and adding three assists.
Tablante spent the last two seasons in MLS NEXT Pro with Orlando City B. The 22-year-old registered 10 goals and four assists in 45 combined appearances for OCB.
A Venezuelan international, Tablante has been called into multiple senior national team camps to date.
They join Yair Ramos and Yeiner Valoyes as the latest acquisitions by FCC2.
FC Cincinnati 2 sign midfielders Yair Ramos, Yeiner Valoyes for 2024
FC Cincinnati 2 added two additional midfielders ahead of the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro campaign.
Yair Ramos and Yeiner Valoyes both signed one-year contracts, the club announced Tuesday.
Ramos, 18, joins from Venezuelan side Liga FUTVE side Caracas Fútbol Club. Ramos began his career with the Caracas Youth team before featuring for the Under-20’s in the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores in 2022 and 2023.
He made eight appearances in the competition over two years.
The 18-year-old Valoyes will head to Cincinnati after playing for Colombian youth developmental club Sócrates Valencia FC.
Both players join Alejandro Guido as winter arrivals for FCC2.
Sporting KC II adds Roberto Hategan, mdifielder Jake Swallen
Sporting Kansas City II bolstered its attacking options ahead of the 2024 campaign.
22-year-old winger Roberto Hategan signed a one-year MLS NEXT Pro contract with SKC II for the upcoming season. Hategan most recently played for San Jose Earthquakes II during 2023, scoring four goals and adding two assists in 26 league appearances.
Born in Chicago, Hategan grew up in California and joined the Sacramento Republic Academy as a teenager. He later became the first academy player to sign for Sacramento’s first team and made his USL debut in 2017.
He has also played in Germany and Hungary during his club career to date.
SKC II also announced that the club had signed 23-year-old rookie midfielder Jake Swallen for the 2024 season.
Swallen wrapped up an impressive college career at Wake Forest University last fall where he amassed a total of nine goals and 17 assists in 65 matches.
Chattanooga FC bolsters roster with Viafara, Aranzazu signings
Duvan Viafara and Andres Jimenez Aranzazu became the newest faces on the Chattanooga FC roster after signing for the 2024 campaign.
Viafara makes the move to MLS NEXT Pro after previous appearances in his native Colombia, as well as in Venezuela.
"Duvan is a player we have tracked for a while and he gives top level professional experience," said Chattanooga FC Head Coach and Sporting Director Rod Underwood. "He makes up stronger and deeper on the backline as we continue to build. He fits with our culture as a quality person and is driven for success."
Viafara has logged 66 combined appearances in his club career, scoring two goals. He has also featured in the historic Copa Sudamericana competition.
Aranzazu enjoyed a positive 2023 campaign with USL side Las Vegas Lights FC. He made club history as one of two players to feature in all 34 of Las Vegas’ matches last season.
"We watched Andres and felt he had the qualities that fit with what we want in a player in his position,” said Underwood. “Also, after speaking with him, we saw his desire to achieve excellence. He exhibited the ability to embrace the culture of CFC.”
Alenga Charles joins Carolina Core FC for 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season
Carolina Core FC’s roster building continued Wednesday with Alenga Charles signing for the Eastern Conference side.
The 20-year-old joins the club after spending the previous season with FC Congo AZ. He also played for NPSL club FC Arizona and now makes his move to MLS NEXT Pro for the next chapter in his career.
“We are very excited to add Alenga to our roster here at CCFC to begin his pro career. He can play a couple of positions in midfield, and we believe he’ll have a bright future with our organization,” said Head Scout, Andy Williams. “He really impressed the coaching staff at our first ever open tryout, and we are happy to help fulfill his dream of becoming a professional soccer player.”
The Tanzanian midfielder is the 16th signing by Carolina Core FC ahead of their debut campaign.
ATL UTD 2 adds Javier Armas to MLS NEXT Pro roster
Atlanta United 2’s midfield options just got a bit deeper with the signing of Javier Armas on Thursday.
Armas was the No. 48 overall selection by Atlanta in the 2024 MLS SuperDraft. He signed a one-year contract with ATL UTD 2, which includes an option for 2025.
The 24-year-old starred at Oregon State University, earning All-Pac-12 honors in each of his final two seasons there. He was a First Team Pac-12 selection in 2023 and overall finished with six goals and 10 assists in 77 career appearances.
Armas played nine years for the Deportivo de La Coruña academy before making the move to the U.S.
ATL UTD 2 failed to reach the postseason in 2023, but will have aspirations of turning things around in 2024.
