MLS PLAYERS TO LOOK OUT FOR (WESTERN CONFERENCE)
As football (soccer) in America is becoming increasingly popular, thus attracting more and more big name players and managers to ply their trade across waters.
It’s natural the MLS brand is being recognised by a wider audience and attracting more fans from around the world. Though I have always had an interest in MLS, I wouldn’t say I am fully versed in the sport there.
With that being said, along with my interest in doing some MLS based articles. I have started by deciding to do my player to watch per team for the season.
COLORADO RAPIDS
Dillon Serna
Midfielder
USA
21
The young midfielder is one of the few bright spots for the Rapids. Full of youthful exuberance, excitement and flair. He has the ability to burst into life at a moments notice and do the unexpected. Mostly all left footed, he’s a skilful midfielder who likes the ball at his feet and has good close control. He has represented his national team at under 17’s, 20’s & 23’s level and is the first Rapids homegrown player to score a professional goal. With a few seasons under his belt he will look to kick on and establish himself in this league.
Other Colorado Rapids players to watch: Bobby Burling (Defender) Kevin Doyle (Forward)
FC DALLAS
Fabian Castillo
Forward
Colombia
23
Lightning quick and extremely skilful, he loves running at and committing defenders. He’s a real box of tricks with the ball at this feet and is a tremendous athlete. What works in his favour is sometimes I feel even he does not know what he is about to do, let alone the opposition. This allows him to keep teams guessing and create spaces to either score or create chances for his team mates. He was rewarded for his good form in 2015 by being called up to the Colombian national team.
Other FC Dallas players to watch: Matt Hedges (Defender) Maynor Figueroa (Defender)
HOUSTON DYNAMO
Will Bruin
Forward
USA
26
He is like an old throwback striker. Big, strong, unassuming, full of brute force, desire and determination. There are no frills here, he is just about scoring goals which he does more often than not. At 6.2 he is obviously good in the air but don’t be deceived, he can play also and can pull out the odd spectacular goal when he is ready. He also moves well off the ball, making intelligent runs to create spaces. He is also able to create goals. He has scored double figures in the last four seasons.
Other Houston Dynamo players to watch: DeMarcus Beasley (Defender) Leonel Miranda (Midfielder)
LA GALAXY
Giovani dos Santos
Midfield
Mexico
26
It’s crazy to think he’s only 26, as it seems he’s been around forever. This ex Barca star who came up through their ranks, has played in several teams in four different countries. Quick, skillful, creative and ultra exciting, when he gets going he’s is a joy to watch and a handful for anyone. With half a season under his belt, where he showed a few flashes of brilliance, the general consensus is if he settles, he could be a real asset and a huge superstar. But it is all ifs and buts. Though there is no doubting his ability.
Other LA Galaxy players to watch are: Steven Gerrard (Midfielder) Robbie Keane (Forward)
PORTLAND TIMBERS
Nat Borchers
Defender
USA
33
I have always been a believer that a great attack win fans but a great defence wins championships. While his captain Liam Ridgewell got all the plaudits in a championship winning team. Borchers went about his business in a professional manner. A big bruising defender, who is not the quickest but his reading of the game is on point. He’s also a better footballer than people give him credit for. Now it will be interesting to see how he leads the defense now that Ridgewell has left the club to go on loan to England.
Other Portland Timbers players to watch are: Diego Chara (Midfielder) Fanendo Adi (Forward)
REAL SALT LAKE
Kyle Beckerman
Defensive Midfielder
USA
33
He’s literally the leader and heartbeat of the team. He is the epitome of energy and desire which drives his team forward. In the specialist anchorman role, his discipline and shielding of the defence allows his team mates to play freely and be more expressive on the ball. With that being said, he is known to get forward and his slick passing unlocks defences to create goal scoring opportunities for team mates. The icing on the cake is his trade mark late runs and striking from distance to score vital goals.
Other Real Salt Lake players to watch are: Javier Morales (Midfielder) Joao Plata (Forward)
SAN JOSE EARTHQUAKE
Chris Wondolowski
Forward
USA
33
A real striker, he is accustomed to hitting the back of the net. He’s a striker in every sense of the word and comes alive in the box. You wont see him pick the ball up and run at defenders, but if you put the ball in the box he will be on the end of it. He definitely comes under that old “fox in the fox” line as his movement in and around the box and sheer finishing ability is difficult to handle. In his 9 seasons he has only failed to hit double figures once and the least of those tallies was 13 goals.
Other San Jose players to watch are: David Bingham (Goalkeeper) Clarence Goodson (Defender)
SEATTLE SOUNDERS
Clint Dempsey
Forward
USA
33
The striker has been around the block a bit and that experience has left him in good stead, as he continues to prove how valuable of a player he is in all area’s of the pitch. He literally leads by example and when his team is in need of a goal he’s invariably the man to get it or create it. In addition, he seems to be doing more defensive work and taking on more responsibilities. More emphasis will be put on him now Martins have left, so he will have to do even more, even in his aging years to lead the team.
Other Seattle Sounders players to watch are: Andreas Ivanschitz (Midfielder) Stefan Frei (Goalkeeper)
SPORTING KANSAS CITY
Don Dwyer
Forward
England
25
Coming from a modest football background, he was more known for being one half of American soccer’s celebrity couple with USA woman’s striker Sydney Leroux. But after a bit of a break out season, he seems comfortable in the role and really coming into his own. A tenacious, hard working, left footer, who doesn’t give the defenders a moments rest. He has combined a direct, energetic style with clinical, instinctive striking. He also possesses a neat free kick. At 25 he could be coming into his prime.
Other Sporting Kansas City players to watch are: Benny Filthier (Midfielder) Matt Besler (Defender)
VANCOUVER WHITECAPS
Kendall Watson
Defender
Costa Rica
28
After somewhat of a break out season, though it will be difficult to improve on the season he just had, he’s still someone to keep an eye on. His sheer passion for the game and basically defending, is infectious and resonates throughout the team. An imposing figure, he goes into every challenge with full commitment and uses all his 6ft 5inch fame to his advantage in offensive as well as defensive situations. He leads by example and when the team is flat, it is often his crunching tackles that gets the team going again.
Other Vancouver Whitecaps players to watch are: Octavio Rivero (Forward) Ben McKendry (Midfielder)
