Houston Dynamo midfielder Jack McGlynn is reportedly heading across the pond, with English club Stoke City agreeing to acquire the 23-year-old in a transfer deal that could hit $5.5 million, according to The Athletic. This isn’t just a regular move; McGlynn, a seriously talented midfielder with an absolute rocket of a left foot, has been chasing this European dream for a minute, telling the “Call It What You Want” podcast back in 2025 that he wanted to test himself at the highest level. Stoke City plays in the Championship, England’s second division, and finished a middling 17th place last season. It is a big-money play for a player who has a ton of upside but also some serious questions surrounding his recent form.
From Dynamo Star to The Championship, But With a Catch
The Dynamo originally grabbed McGlynn in a February 2025 trade with Philadelphia, and man, did he deliver in that first season. He lit up the field, bagging six goals and dishing out eight assists in 26 matches. But then, boom, a season-ending foot injury in September 2025 slammed the brakes on his momentum. Fast forward to 2026, and he has two goals and six assists, with those six assists putting him second only to attacker Guilherme on the Houston roster. The injury didn’t just sideline him from MLS; it marked a huge turning point for his U.S. men’s national team career. Before the injury, he was a regular, called into every national team camp of 2025 and playing in every Gold Cup match. Since then? Nothing. He missed out on the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad and has not played for the USMNT, despite having 13 total appearances and even representing the U.S. at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Houston’s Season Rolls On As The Window Closes
McGlynn’s departure is just the latest in a flurry of summer transfer window moves for the Dynamo. They have already shipped off midfielder Ondřej Lingr to Poland and striker Ezequiel Ponce to Spain earlier this month. But it is not all exits; they have also brought in new talent, acquiring left back Marcelo Saracchi from Boca Juniors and striker Duncan McGuire from Orlando City. The transfer window slams shut this Wednesday, so Houston’s roster reshuffling is coming down to the wire. Despite the changes, the Dynamo are still holding strong, sitting in second place in the Western Conference at the end of August with 39 points, just four points behind the Vancouver Whitecaps. They have been on a solid run since MLS came back from the World Cup break, logging five wins, two ties, and only one loss. Their last outing was a 0-0 draw against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, where McGlynn played most of the match in midfield. With the transfer now seemingly a done deal, the Dynamo will have to figure out how to fill those big shoes McGlynn leaves behind as they push through the rest of the season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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