Category: Soccer America Magazine

Just about any MLS head coach or assistant coach will respond to a question about the offseason succinctly by saying: “What offseason?”

MLS clubs increased their spending on players with the introduction of the Designated Player in 2007. The investment in high-priced players has produced mixed results.

The second year of designated players was also the first year of liberalized rules regarding limits on foreign player. With some teams overloaded by games in different competitions, many MLS teams relied on youngsters to get the job done.

Arturo Alvarez is just the kind of player MLS needs. He’s unpredictable and skillful. Only 23, Alvarez already has played six years in MLS.

Sacha Kljestan has blossomed under the tutelage of his childhood hero and Chivas USA coach Preki. In his third MLS season, he emerged as a key member of both the U.S. national team and Olympic team.

Born to Armenian parents in Azerbaijan, Yura Movsisyan emerged as a top prospect after his family moved to Southern California. He has finally come into his own in his second season at Real Salt Lake.

Chicago Fire’s Gonzalo Segares has emerged as one of the best defenders in MLS and gained the attention of the Costa Rican national team.

In his second season with the Chicago Fire, Bakary Soumare has emerged as one of the top defenders in MLS. The Malian-born player has also begun to take an active interest in humanitarian causes.