10 players to watch in 2023 MLS season
The biggest winner in Major League Soccer’s offseason transfer market ended up being the rumor mill.
Whether it was the apparent flirtation between Paris SaintGerman star Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF, or the interest that Los Angeles FC had for Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, neither came to fruition and the MLS offseason was devoid of a splashy incoming international move.
But there are still plenty of stars across the league to watch for during the 2023 schedule, which kicked off Saturday. Here are 10 to track over the course of the regular season and into the playoffs, which begin in late October with the MLS Cup title match set for Dec. 9.
› Thiago Almada, Atlanta United FC: The 21-year-old midfielder/winger from Argentina will step into a larger role this season after the departure of fan favorite Josef Martinez to Miami. Almada appeared in 29 games last season, when he had six goals and seven assists. If he can quickly develop a relationship with forward Giorgos Giakoumakis, who just arrived from Celtic, Atlanta will surely benefit. Almada scored twice in second-half stoppage time Saturday as Atlanta beat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1.
› Andre Blake, Philadelphia Union: The best goalkeeper in the league last year is the most recognizable star for a team that lacks big names but is a clear favorite in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia was moments away from winning its first MLS title in November before LAFC scored late in extra time and won on penalty kicks in the ensuing shootout. Philadelphia was in the final in large part because of Blake’s continued excellence in goal. The 32-year-old from Jamaica led MLS in shutouts with 15 and had a 79.4% save percentage last season, the third time he was honored as the league’s best goalie. ›
Jesús Ferreira, FC Dallas: He finally reached his potential last season as he scored 18 goals, tying for fourth in the league, and helped Dallas finish third in the Western Conference and reach the conference semifinals before the team was knocked out of the playoffs by Austin FC. His time with the MLS club meant he played only a limited role for the United States in the World Cup, not taking the field in Qatar until the Americans’ loss to the Netherlands in the first round of the
knockout stage. Just 22 years old, he begins building his case this season to become one of the primary strikers on future U.S. national teams.
› Cucho Hernández, Columbus Crew: The latest young South American star to join MLS made quite the splash in his limited debut season. The 23-year-old Colombian had nine goals and two assists in just 16 games for Columbus last year after his move from English club Watford. Hernandez having a full season with the Crew would be a big boost as they work to get back to the postseason after missing out by two points last season.
› Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, LA Galaxy: The ageless Mexican star — for the record, he’s 34 — stepped back into the past and led the Galaxy to a playoff berth last season. Chicharito had 18 goals and played in 32 matches, both highs since he moved to MLS three years ago. They were the most goals for Hernandez in any season since 2009-10, when he scored 21 in his final season with Chivas de Guadalajara.
› Sean Johnson, Toronto FC: After six years as the anchor at the back for New York City FC, including an MLS Cup title, the 33-year-old American headed north in the offseason. The Atlanta-area native was second in MLS with 14 clean sheets last season, but his task in Toronto will be significant as the Reds were third-worst in MLS by giving up 66 goals last season.
› Josef Martinez, Inter Miami CF: As rumors swirled about Messi and bringing the World Cup champion to Miami, the club had a backup plan in place. How successful that plan is depends on whether Martinez can rediscover the form that made him the league’s MVP in 2018 with Atlanta, which won the title that year in its second season. The 29-yearold from Venezuela hasn’t been the same since a major knee injury at the start of the 2020 season, scoring only nine goals last year for Atlanta.
› Hany Mukhtar, Nashville SC: The reigning league MVP was spectacular last season with 23 goals and 11 assists, helping Nashville finish fifth in the Western Conference and earn a playoff berth. Mukhtar’s 34 goals were the fifth most in a single season in MLS history. In his three seasons with Nashville, the 27-year-old German has 43 goals in 73 games, and there’s no reason to think he’s about to slow down this season. He didn’t score but did have an assist Saturday — just five minutes after entering as a substitute in the 75th — as Nashville opened with a 2-0 home win against NYCFC.
› Joakim Nilsson, St. Louis City SC: This expansion franchise pushes MLS to 29 teams — the announcement of a 30th team is coming — and although the 29-year-old defender from Sweden is injured and isn’t expected to play until the summer, Nilsson coming over from the Bundesliga helped create some buzz in the meantime.
› Joao Paulo, Seattle Sounders FC: The Sounders missed the MLS playoffs for the first time in franchise history last season, ending a 13-year run of playing in the postseason. They seemed to crumble after winning the CONCACAF Champions League, a night when they made MLS history but lost midfield sparkplug Paulo to a torn ACL in his right knee. Paulo, who turns 32 next month, is back, though, and that should once again make the Sounders one of the favorites in the Western Conference.