Goodbye, Gyasi Zardes; hello, significant roster cap flexibility

Even before the calendar has flipped to 2025, the striker currently 10th on MLS' all-time goal scoring list was released via Austin FC's 2025 buyout.

I suspected this day would come. I just didn’t think it would be today, on what is effectively the first official day of the offseason.

On Monday, Austin FC announced it was using its lone buyout for the 2025 season to release striker Gyasi Zardes. Though he has 106 lifetime MLS goals, putting him 10th on the league’s all-time scoring list, the 33-year…