Major League Soccer: Top Ten Players Worth Watching

By Alex Norwood

We have seen a lot of superlative performances from different players in the past Major League Soccer seasons. However, there are high expectations for this year, as some players are being tipped to continue in their fine form. Because of this, we are making a list of the MLS stars worth to watch.

1. Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC): One of the most talked about footballers in the United States is the man who mesmerized many with goals and display of skills for the New York Red Bulls. However, he is now plying his trade with the Toronto FC, while leading the attack for the country. A lot of big things are expected from him in 2018. He now got 13 goals and 5 assists, after netting 10 goals and five assists in the regular season. Great things are being expected of him next season too.

2. Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids): Most times, people leave out the heroics of the people that stop the bad news, and focus on those that make the good news happen. Tim Howard is a player whose ‘secretary of defense’ nickname fits so well. When the Rapids got him, many people doubted his abilities. But when he put up amazing displays in the clubs pursuit of the Western Conference Championship, people’s fears were cleared. Having missed out on the MLS Cup, he is being tipped to help the team push further this season.

3. David Villa (New York City FC): David Villa is part of that amazing golden Spanish generation. This man at the 17th season of his professional football career, netted 23 times for New York City Fc last year. This bagged him the Landon Donovan MLS MVP honors. Overall, he has scored 41 goals in 63 games in the league. He is expected to go on banging in the goals next season.

4. Dan Hamilton – (Toronto FC): In 2015, this man ran away with the MVP award. But he missed out last season. In the current season and the season to come, many people are tipping him to do great things with the Toronto FC. A lot of Chinese clubs are coming for his services, but he has reiterated his commitment to the MLS. He is in a very fine form, and if this should continue, he is one to watch in this season and the next.

5. Isaiah J. Downing (RSL FC): This is a 19 year old, who is on loan from Liverpool to the RSL. He is a very huge talent that the clubs are looking to maximize his potentials. He may not be a regular in the team, but what he is bringing from the Premier League cannot be overlooked. The great thing about this story is that he may be retained if he does so well for the club. So, he will be pushing for that in the bid to remain in first team football for one more year.

6. Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC): He is always the man of the big moments, and will always come out with scintillating performances. He has been a thorn in the flesh of defenders for more than two years. For the last two seasons, he got up to 39 goals and 31 assists, and capped it up with four goals and four assists after the season. He is also being expected to do great in the current season, and possibly in the next.

7. Kaka (Orlando City): Kaka is spending his third season with Orlando FC. While the Brazilian talisman and the former world best have not been able to take his team to the playoffs since then, he has always given the fans the exact ecstatic moments they crave. This has already gotten him recalled to the Brazilian national team in a very surprising move. More is being expected of him.

8. Giovani Dos Santos (LA Galaxy): When you do so well in the major league soccer that a recall to the national team is earned, then you need to be watched for bigger things in the future. The Mexican achieved just that. While trying to take the LA club to the cups, he will also hustle hard to be in the World Cup squad or his country. That is why he should be watched.

9. Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers): This Portland Timber star has touched the football fans in the United States where no player has ever touched them before. He is one of the most talked about players. He is very explosive with the ball and his smooth moves make his games sensational and sexy. His skills are very instrumental to the 2015 MLS Cup success of the club, and the country couldn’t wait to call him up once his citizenship was rectified.

10. Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United): This is one of the newcomers with the biggest clout. He was under the radar of many big European clubs, but was later landed by the Atlanta outfit. With his age and the amount he was purchased, he is expected to mesmerize people with the South American footballing skills. He has adapted well. So, this season and the next are his to shine. Watch him.