The Houston Dynamo are on the verge of completing a significant transfer move, agreeing to acquire American forward Duncan McGuire from Orlando City, sources briefed on the situation have confirmed.

Trade Details

Orlando City will receive $1.25 million in general allocation money, with an additional $1.15 million in targeted allocation money tied to performance-based add-ons. The Florida club will also retain a sell-on clause, ensuring they benefit from any future transfer of the young American striker.

McGuire was notably held out of Orlando's friendly against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday night as the move drew closer to completion. Houston was one of several MLS clubs to inquire about a deal for the 25-year-old forward during this summer transfer window.

Player Profile

Duncan McGuire has been one of MLS's promising young forwards since being selected in the first round of the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. In his first two seasons in the league, he demonstrated his goal-scoring ability by finding the net 23 times in 2,994 MLS minutes. However, his last 18 months have been hampered by injuries, which have limited his playing time and consistency.

"McGuire was held out of Orlando's friendly against the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Wednesday night as the move became closer," sources confirmed.

Orlando's Attacking Reinforcements

The trade comes amid a transformative period for Orlando City, who signed French star Antoine Griezmann this summer. The French international is preparing to make his debut this month and already made an impression by scoring in Wednesday's exhibition match against the Rowdies.

Despite losing McGuire, Orlando maintains significant firepower in attack with designated players Martin Ojeda and Marco Pasalic, along with Brazilian attacker Tiago and homegrown forward Justin Ellis, who earned a regular role before MLS took a break for the World Cup.

Houston's Search for a Center Forward

Houston has been actively seeking a consistent, goal-scoring center forward for a couple of seasons. Ezequiel Ponce hasn't lived up to his reported $8 million transfer price tag, and several South American clubs are now pursuing a potential deal for the Argentine striker, sources add.

McGuire will slot seamlessly into the Dynamo's overhauled attacking core, joining Mateusz Bogusz, Guilherme, Jack McGlynn and other talented forwards. Currently, Houston sits seventh in the Western Conference with 22 points after 14 matches. The team has scored 19 goals, fewer than all but two of the 18 teams currently above the playoff line in MLS.

Orlando currently occupies 12th place in the Eastern Conference, though they are only four points below the playoff line with Griezmann set to make his highly anticipated debut this month.