Top Ten: MLS Men to watch
It’s the land of dreams, of hope, the front runner on so many fronts and the most powerful nation in the world. But one thing the USA seemed unable to grasp was football, unless of course it involved helmets, quarter-backs and expensive half-time shows. Football or soccer as they like to call it was cast aside and even greats like Best and Beckenbauer could not stir up interest. However an increased standard at both club and national level has now seen the footballing world sit up and take notice. Major League Soccer is attracting interest globally and has even managed to capture one of England’s most famous sons. But David Beckham aside, here’s another 10 to keep an eye out for:
Juan Pablo Angel - Once of Aston Villa, he has been somewhat of a hit since his move to the New York Red Bulls in 2007. Not even a disappointing team season last term could stop Angel netting his 46th goal for the club and in the process take over from Clint Mathis as their top ever goal scorer. Despite being 34 the Columbian still possesses a significant goal threat and has already bagged a couple this season. Maybe he’s finally showing the form that once made John Gregory splash out £9.5million on him.
Landon Donovan - The former Leverkusen man may be prised away once more after a successful spell at Everton earlier in the season; but for now last term’s Most Valuable Player finds himself back with LA Galaxy. Creativity, skill and an eye goal are all things in his locker and providing he avoids injury, he’ll be on the plane to South Africa to take part in this summer’s World Cup. He continues to make an impact in the MLS and has created 4 goals in as many games so far; with, as only the American’s could put it, two game winning assists amongst them.
Edson Buddle - The LA Galaxy forward has had a stop-start career after a promising beginning in which he earned a call up to the national side at 21. However, despite having all the attributes required to succeed, the tall striker has never really fulfilled his potential. Now 28, he’s hit 7 goals in the first 4 games of this campaign and is being touted for a last minute call up to Bob Bradley’s World Cup squad, and with Beckham and Donovan supplying him with chances; it must surely signal more goals to come.
Sebastien Le Toux - The French midfielder may be an unknown quantity to fans in England but the former Lorient man has a decent pedigree in America. He guided the Seattle Sounders to the USL (second division) title in 2007 and was voted MVP in the same year. His coach Sigi Schmid said of him: "Sebastien's got great energy and is always a threat to get behind the defense." He looks to have demonstrated this perfectly by grabbing three goals in three games for Philadelphia Union this season.
Jeff Cunningham - Top Scorer in the MLS in 2009 and in some style, netting 16 goals in his club’s last 14 games to claim the award. Although the Jamaican born forward is approaching the twilight of his career he still remains the main man for FC Dallas and will be looking to be named their player of the season for the second year in a row. He may not have the pace he once had, but the experience of an entire career in the American leagues makes Cunningham one of the most dangerous strikers around.
Conor Casey - Second place to Cunningham in the golden boot race last season, Casey is the top marksman for the Colorado Rapids. Having originally started his career in Germany with Bourissa Dortmund the centre forward moved back across the pond first to Toronto and then on to his current club. He’s become a fixture in the U.S national side and it was his two goals against Honduras in a World Cup qualifying match that clinched a place for England’s Group C opponents.
Robbie Rogers - Like Casey, Rogers also began his career in Europe. However despite signing his first professional contract with Heerenveen, he never made an appearance for the Dutch club and was picked up by Columbus Crew for the start of the 2007 campaign. A quick, tricky midfielder, Rogers is comfortable on either flank and at 22 is looking for a regular run in the first team having only appeared in 10 MLS so far in his fledgling career. He’s represented his country at under 20 and under 23 level and set up a couple of goals in a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica when appearing for the full side.
Heath Pearce - The controversial 25 year old arrived at FC Dallas last season after spells in Denmark and Germany during which he was suspended from his club’s first team after reportedly feigning injury. Formerly a regular in the USA starting line up, he has recently lost his place to Jonathon Bornstein and Carlos Bocanegra, but he did get a run out as a substitute in their friendly match against Holland in March. He’s still at a good age and providing he keeps out of trouble, could well have an impact for both club and country and he certainly has something to prove.
Kore de Aiyegbusi - The English born defender is in his inaugural season in the MLS and made his debut for the Kansas City Wizards in March this year. Having moved to America in 2006 to attend and play college soccer at Essex Community College in Maryland, he then moved on to state football with spells in the USL with NC State Wolfpack and Cary Clarets respectively as well as representing Great Britain in the 2009 World University Games in Belgrade. Although unlikely to be a permanent fixture, he’s worked his way from bottom to top in America and could well be one to watch in years to come.
Alessandro Del Piero - Now this may sound like the choice of a mad man or of someone struggling for a tenth player, but hear me out. Although the 35 year old still has a year left on his contract at Juventus according to Gazzetta dello Sport he is seriously considering ending his career in the U.S. If this were to happen it would be a major coup for the MLS and with a plethora of winning medals and 91 Italian caps to his name, the player is hardly risking his reputation if he were to swap the Old Lady for something new.
Juan Pablo Angel - Once of Aston Villa, he has been somewhat of a hit since his move to the New York Red Bulls in 2007. Not even a disappointing team season last term could stop Angel netting his 46th goal for the club and in the process take over from Clint Mathis as their top ever goal scorer. Despite being 34 the Columbian still possesses a significant goal threat and has already bagged a couple this season. Maybe he’s finally showing the form that once made John Gregory splash out £9.5million on him.
Landon Donovan - The former Leverkusen man may be prised away once more after a successful spell at Everton earlier in the season; but for now last term’s Most Valuable Player finds himself back with LA Galaxy. Creativity, skill and an eye goal are all things in his locker and providing he avoids injury, he’ll be on the plane to South Africa to take part in this summer’s World Cup. He continues to make an impact in the MLS and has created 4 goals in as many games so far; with, as only the American’s could put it, two game winning assists amongst them.
Edson Buddle - The LA Galaxy forward has had a stop-start career after a promising beginning in which he earned a call up to the national side at 21. However, despite having all the attributes required to succeed, the tall striker has never really fulfilled his potential. Now 28, he’s hit 7 goals in the first 4 games of this campaign and is being touted for a last minute call up to Bob Bradley’s World Cup squad, and with Beckham and Donovan supplying him with chances; it must surely signal more goals to come.
Sebastien Le Toux - The French midfielder may be an unknown quantity to fans in England but the former Lorient man has a decent pedigree in America. He guided the Seattle Sounders to the USL (second division) title in 2007 and was voted MVP in the same year. His coach Sigi Schmid said of him: "Sebastien's got great energy and is always a threat to get behind the defense." He looks to have demonstrated this perfectly by grabbing three goals in three games for Philadelphia Union this season.
Jeff Cunningham - Top Scorer in the MLS in 2009 and in some style, netting 16 goals in his club’s last 14 games to claim the award. Although the Jamaican born forward is approaching the twilight of his career he still remains the main man for FC Dallas and will be looking to be named their player of the season for the second year in a row. He may not have the pace he once had, but the experience of an entire career in the American leagues makes Cunningham one of the most dangerous strikers around.
Conor Casey - Second place to Cunningham in the golden boot race last season, Casey is the top marksman for the Colorado Rapids. Having originally started his career in Germany with Bourissa Dortmund the centre forward moved back across the pond first to Toronto and then on to his current club. He’s become a fixture in the U.S national side and it was his two goals against Honduras in a World Cup qualifying match that clinched a place for England’s Group C opponents.
Robbie Rogers - Like Casey, Rogers also began his career in Europe. However despite signing his first professional contract with Heerenveen, he never made an appearance for the Dutch club and was picked up by Columbus Crew for the start of the 2007 campaign. A quick, tricky midfielder, Rogers is comfortable on either flank and at 22 is looking for a regular run in the first team having only appeared in 10 MLS so far in his fledgling career. He’s represented his country at under 20 and under 23 level and set up a couple of goals in a 2-2 draw against Costa Rica when appearing for the full side.
Heath Pearce - The controversial 25 year old arrived at FC Dallas last season after spells in Denmark and Germany during which he was suspended from his club’s first team after reportedly feigning injury. Formerly a regular in the USA starting line up, he has recently lost his place to Jonathon Bornstein and Carlos Bocanegra, but he did get a run out as a substitute in their friendly match against Holland in March. He’s still at a good age and providing he keeps out of trouble, could well have an impact for both club and country and he certainly has something to prove.
Kore de Aiyegbusi - The English born defender is in his inaugural season in the MLS and made his debut for the Kansas City Wizards in March this year. Having moved to America in 2006 to attend and play college soccer at Essex Community College in Maryland, he then moved on to state football with spells in the USL with NC State Wolfpack and Cary Clarets respectively as well as representing Great Britain in the 2009 World University Games in Belgrade. Although unlikely to be a permanent fixture, he’s worked his way from bottom to top in America and could well be one to watch in years to come.
Alessandro Del Piero - Now this may sound like the choice of a mad man or of someone struggling for a tenth player, but hear me out. Although the 35 year old still has a year left on his contract at Juventus according to Gazzetta dello Sport he is seriously considering ending his career in the U.S. If this were to happen it would be a major coup for the MLS and with a plethora of winning medals and 91 Italian caps to his name, the player is hardly risking his reputation if he were to swap the Old Lady for something new.
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