Rating the new foreign players in MLS this year might well mean introducing them, as they continue to trickle in – quietly relative to previous years. Based on the games through June 25, here's what we think so far:

1/ AMADO GUEVARA, MetroStars (Honduras). Stepped almost seamlessly into the role of conductor and developed chemistry with Clint Mathis. He's also tied for the league lead in shots on goal, so finding his scoring touch will make him even more dangerous.

2/ DAMANI RALPH, Chicago (Jamaica). De-termined and diligent, Ralph may have displaced Rodrigo Faria even if the latter had not been gone for two long stretches. Ralph is a gun like his partner, Ante Razov, which keeps defenses jockeying to contain them both.

3/ SHALRIE JOSEPH, New England (Grenada). The guy who flopped between sweeper and striker at St. John's settled in central midfield for Steve Nicol and stabilized the Revs after their shaky start. His ball-winning and simple passing forced moody Daniel Hernandez to the bench.

4/ GALIN IVANOV, D.C. United (Bulgaria). Preseason hernia surgery threw his value into doubt, but he recovered smoothly and brought poise to D.C.'s defense, now tops in MLS. His consistency helped rescue United from a free fall.

5/ PAT ONSTAD, San Jose (Canada). Proved that his own-goal gaffe was an aberration by posting three shutouts, the fourth-best save percentage and, most importantly, six wins.

6/ HONG MYUNG BO, Los Angeles (South Korea). Has not been the impact player that the Galaxy hoped for, but he has been shuffled between sweeper and midfield early on.

7/ JOSE GALVAN, MetroStars (Argentina). Thrown right into the fire, he pressed a little too much in his first couple appearances, but is beginning to settle into the style of play.

8/ ALEX ZOTINCA, Kansas City (Romania). Making the conversion from the indoor game, he's had ups and downs already.

9/ ALBERTO RIZO, Colorado (Mexico). More comfortable on the ball than the average MLS defender, but not blessed with great speed. Still adjusting.

10/ JUAN FORCHETTI, MetroStars (Argentina). Showed admirably in his first start – a shutout of L.A. – and became crucial with injuries to Eddie Pope and Steve Jolley.

11/ DIEGO WALSH, Columbus (Brazil). Former SMU standout has seen primarily reserve duty, but has been unfortunate not to register any points.

12/ ZIZI ROBERTS, Colorado (Liberia). Powerful and imposing in the box, but not particularly fluid in the Rapids offense, Roberts notched two goals before tearing a knee ligament. Will not return until late in the season, if at all.

13/ ALEX BLAKE, Colorado (Jamaica). Speedster out of Williams College (DIII) has seen just 13 minutes of action.

14/ DARRYL POWELL, Colorado (Jamaica). Can he be the missing piece in the Rapids' midfield?

14/ TONI NHLEKO, Dallas (South Africa). Forward has seven caps for Bafana Bafana.

14/ JORGE VAZQUEZ, New England (Argentina). ''El Gallego'' offers good feet and field vision.

17/ GILLES GRIMANDI, Colorado (France). Signed, but refused to play and returned home in a huff. Look for him in the French First Division, probably with Ajaccio.

by Soccer America Senior Editor Will Kuhns