There were several returns this winter. After spending last season on loan with San Diego FC, Luca de la Torre is back in MLS with Charlotte FC. Griffin Yow came home, too, signing with the New England Revolution after a stint at Westerlo. Cade Cowell is with the Red Bulls now after several years at Chivas.
Notably, though, MLS also kept hold of most of the league's young talent. Even with Freeman's departure, names like Diego Luna, Max Arfsten and Sebastian Berhalter remain in MLS, which means that the league will have several players vying for World Cup spots right up until this summer's tournament.
We don't yet know what Mauricio Pochettino's World Cup squad will look like or how he'll choose it. Thus far, though, he hasn't disqualified players plying their trade in MLS. Even now, after the transfer window, several regulars remain in the league, which means they'll be on the field leading up to the World Cup and, perhaps, bigger transfer fees for the league after a summer showcase at the world's biggest tournament.