Who are the players laying down a marker as the club’s battle in the MLS market?
Clint Dempsey – Seattle Sounders
Clint Dempsey was always going to be a focal point in MLS. After carving out such a respectable career in the Premier League with Fulham, and proving to be a constant feature for Team USA, his experience would be vital for this Seattle Sounders team. Though he may not pack the star power of Kaka or David Villa, he makes up for it in his know-how around the area, and general graft.
So far with 3 goals in 2 games, including one this recent weekend after a record 17 seconds, Dempsey’s shown even at 32 he can still do the things that made him a crowd favourite at Fulham. Sounders took the Supporters Shield in 2014 and they will indeed be one of the teams to beat again this time around.
Stefan Ishizaki – LA Galaxy
He may be no Landon Donavon, but LA Galaxy’s Stefan Ishizaki has already given fans hope things may not be so bleak after the icon’s retirement. The Swede was first an absolute menace against Chicago Fire, creating the first goal of the 2015 season for the Galaxy as they strolled to a 2-0 win. In that game he had the most touches of the ball out of any other Galaxy player, showing that he could well be influential this season.
The 32-year-old then went and backed it up with another strong performance in the draw with Portland Timbers. Here, it was time for another assist. It’s a sophomore season for the Swede but the signs are extremely positive that this will be no slump.
Blas Perez – FC Dallas
Clint Dempsey isn’t alone when it comes to hitting the back of the net in these early days. Bas Perez fired in a brace in the second week of the season and has now hit three of FC Dallas’ four goals in the league. All of Perez’s goals have required some intelligence, showing poacher instincts in the area, and the ability to take up the right positions when required.
FC Dallas are two for two so far, and they could well be looking to put down a marker for what else is to come. No doubt it will be Perez putting it down himself, as he looks to build on his total of 11 goals in 24 starts from last term.
Wil Trapp – Columbus Crew
This might well be the name US soccer fans will need to watch closest over the course of the season. At just 22-years-old, and with an excellent breakout season behind him, Wil Trapp is expected to become a poster boy for the league in 2015, as this new MLS era spins into gear. Trapp has started in typically strong fashion, and especially so against Toronto in Columbus’ 2-0 win.
Trapp was efficient with his passing, retaining possession for his team and also filtering passes into danger areas for more attacking minded players. On the defensive, the player also put in admirable work, hustling Toronto players off the ball and taking up smart positions to shut out attacks. Trapp is now fully expected to receive a call-up for the March friendlies against Denmark and Switzerland, with Jurgen Klinsmann a keen viewer of the player.
Mix Diskerud – NYCFC
It’s not all about David Villa in New York. A certain Norwegian-American is creating himself quite the following in the Big Apple already, after two strong displays. Diskerud claimed the first goal in franchise history on the weekend, and followed it up with a fine performance as NYCFC claimed their first win of the season.
David Villa may have scored that game, but it was Diskerud’s movement behind the Spaniard that stood out. His energy from a double pivot position, covering in defence but also bombing on to support the attack, has been particularly impressive. As things stand, he’s leading MLS players in touches, passes and recoveries.
