Players to watch in MLS this season
By Abel Folgar
The MLS 2023 Season has already proven to be an enthralling race for the cup and all 29 teams have banked their campaigns on mixed squads of tried-and-true vets, youngsters and international talent.
Is every team a contender? Absolutely. And here’s a wholly non-scientific list of this year’s talent to watch…
1. Alejandro Bedoya
Alejandro Bedoya – now hear us out – has proven himself a valuable player for the Philadelphia Union and Jim Curtin’s squad in the past and surely the gaffer will be looking to the veteran player to bring levelheadedness to a club that knows deep down that it has what it takes to win it all.
At 36 years of age, he might not be the flashiest player on the pitch but he’s as solid as a number 11 can come and his two assists so far this season show the senior member still has it.
2. Cade Cowell
The 19-year-old homegrown talent for the San Jose Earthquakes has already logged 90 caps with the senior team and a handful with USL Championship affiliate Reno 1868.
Through 10 matches this season he’s bagged an assist and will be a reliable option for coach Luchi Gonzalez up front supporting Jeremy Ebobisse and the rest of the striker corps.
3. Leonardo Campana
A lot can be said of everything that’s going wrong over at Inter Miami CF this season, but Ecuadorian international Leonardo Campana has proven a valuable asset after signing on with the Magic City squad after a loan spell from EPL side Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In his three appearance thus far in 2023, he sealed a much-needed victory over the Columbus Crew with a commanding brace.
4. Hany Mukhtar
The Nashville SC attacking midfielder is living in a state of grace with four assists and three goals in ten matches this season.
That’s direct involvement in seven of the team’s 11 goals thus far – an enviable 63.7% stat. In a tight race for top dog honors in the Eastern Conference, Mukhtar will continue to make a difference for his team.
5. Junior Moreno
After a few years of serviceable, if not necessarily remarkable, service as D.C. United’s defensives, Junior Moreno has come on leaps and bounds in FC Cincinnati’s midfield.
With two goals netted and an assist under his belt, he’s found a kindred spirit in fellow midfielder Obinna Nwobodo, and has been a key disruptor of attacks while providing support to his forwards and wingers.
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6. Alex Roldan
Seattle Sounders’ right-back and El Salvador team captain, Alex Roldan has provided the current leaders of the Western Conference with a solid cornerstone in one of the league’s strongest back lines.
Adding to his fierce on-pitch hustle, Roldan adds vertical support to Brian Schmetzer’s squad and has two assists under his belt in ten matches this season.
7. Walker Zimmerman
Nashville SC center back, Walker Zimmerman is having a dream season so far.
The 6’3 defender has a goal and an assist to his credit but more importantly, is part of a strong back line that has only allowed six goals through this season – the lowest of all teams through ten matches.
8. Rasmus Alm
Just like the upstart attitude that is propelling expansion team St. Louis City this season, midfielder Rasmus Alm brings a dose of lethality to an attack-minded squad.
Through ten matches, St. Louis sit second in the West, no doubt empowered by Alm’s two goals and assist.
9. Noel Buck
Eighteen-year-old midfielder Noel Buck brings a much-needed boost of youthful vigor to Bruce Arena’s New England Revolution.
Equally dependable as a central or defensive midfielder, Buck can deploy as a right winger. With one goal notched so far, his dribbling, accurate passing and defensive prowess in intercepting line-breakers and clean tackles should have his spot within the Rev secured for years to come.
10. Martín Ojeda
After impressing in Mendoza’s pride and joy Godoy Cruz in Argentina’s Primera División between 2020 and 2022, Martín Ojeda might be one of the more exciting designated player signings in Orlando City’s recent history.
The left-footed winger is already making an impressive difference for a team that has what it takes to make a deep run with three assists and two goals netted in his nine appearances thus far.