Major League Soccer has rapidly expanded in recent years to become on of the biggest football leagues outside of Europe. With matches now being broadcast on Sky Sports, the league’s popularity is gradually increasing in the UK.
Several high profile players have joined the division but MLS also contains a number of highly talented lesser known players. With this in mind we have identified 10 players to keep tabs on when the season kicks off on Sunday.
1. Cyle Larin (Orlando City)
The 20-year-old burst onto the scene in his debut season last year after signing for Orlando City through the SuperDraft. While club captain Kaka took much of the attention, Larin build up his prestige by scoring a fantastic 17 goals in 26 league appearances.
He has already been capped 15 times for the Canadian national team and was awarded MLS Rookie of the Year for his performances last season. Larin’s form shows no sign of halting and we should expect more of the same next season.
2. Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
Another youngster who has impressed in MLS is winger Gyasi Zardes. The 24-year-old joined LA Galaxy at the end of 2012 and after a promising debut season he went on to score 14 goals in 32 appearances in 2014.
Zardes was the subject on interest from Europe and Mexico during the off season but it now seems likely that he will stay with the Galaxy. The winger will no doubt benefit from playing with Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Ashely Cole and Jelle Van Dammme, so expect to see big things from him this season!
3. Gideon Baah (New York Red Bulls)
The Ghanaian midfielder signed for NYRB over the off season after leaving HJK Helsinki in the summer. The 24-year-old has been capped by Ghana and was linked with a move to Spanish giants Barcalona before he opted to move Stateside.
The left back won a football reality show in his home country back in 2007 and was awarded a two-week trial with Chelsea.
4. Christian Bolaños (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Bolaños is another new arrival in MLS after joining Carl Robinson’s Vancouver Whitecaps from Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa. The 31-year-old has been capped 60 times by Costa Rica and played a key role in the side’s progression to the Quater Finals of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Bolaños made over 100 appearances for FC Copenhagen and was cruelly denied an opportunity to play in the Premier League in 2006 when a proposed move to Charlton Athletic fell through due to work permit issues.
5. Dillon Powers (Colorado Rapids)
Powers’ performances last year were a rare bright spark in an otherwise poor season for Colorado. The 25-year-old joined the Rapids in 2013 and has gone on to make 93 appearances the club.
His displays caught the attention of Reading but after spending a number of weeks on trial with the Championship club over the winter, Powers decided to return to MLS.
6. Diego Fagundez (New England Revolution)
The 21-year-old has been an ever present in the New England side since 2012 and he again showed glimpses of what he is capable of last season.
The Uruguayan U20 international has bags of undoubted potential and there is every chance that this season could be the year he establishes himself as one of the key players in MLS.
7. Will Trapp (Columbus Crew)
Trapp put in some sterling performances from midfield last season as Columbus Crew just missed out on the MLS Cup.
The 23-year-old was called up to a training camp with the US national side in January and is expected to play in the Olympics this summer.
8. Luciano Acosta (DC United)
Acosta joins DC United with a good pedigree having made a number of impressive performances for his parent club Boca Juniors.
The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at Estudiantes and has caught the eye of pundits with his performances during pre-season.
9. Carlos Gruezo (FC Dallas)
The Ecuador international joined FC Dallas from Stuttggart during the off season and is seen as a big youth prospect.
The 20-year-old midfielder has already represented his country at a World Cup and could set the MLS if he settles into Dallas’ exiting side.
10. Kwadwo Poku (NYCFC)
The 24-year-old had an impressive debut season, making 27 appearances for the New York side last year. Poku quickly became a fans favorite at Yankee Stadium with his his impressive appearances in midfield.
After winning his first Ghana cap in October, Poku is expected to continue his fine form this season.
