COLUMBUS CREW REBRAND

MLS CROSSING OVER

BY: SEAN MASLIN

The transfer season is upon us! Although the football transfer never really stops the summer season always seems to be the busiest period for teams. One of the biggest areas of focus in recent years seems to come from Major League Soccer. The fledgling North American league has provided countless players for European clubs in recent years, especially in the younger ages. Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps/Bayern Munich), Tyler Adams (New York Red Bulls/Red Bull Leipzig), and Jack Harrison (New York City FC/ Leeds United) are just the tip of the iceberg of the influx of talent coming from North America influencing the European game? So where should teams look when doing their summer soccer shopping? Soccer 360 Magazine’s Sean Maslin has some key names to keep an eye on during this summer window.

GOALKEEPER- ANDRE BLAKE (PHILADELPHIA UNION) A two-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Blake is at the top of his game right now for the Union. While he has always been known for his highlight-reel saves, he has improved his timing and backfield organization over the past two seasons. Although he is 30, goalkeepers generally tend to have much longer careers than field players. He has always had an interest in playing in Europe but Philadelphia always seemed reluctant to move him. With the sides recent change of philosophy, developing younger players and selling players abroad, a move seems much more likely than in year’s past.

DEFENDER- JULIAN ARAJUO (LOS ANGELES GALAXY) Arajuo has had a bit of a tough run with the Galaxy in 2021, suffering through a bit of a poor run of form early on. But he seems to have finally re-gained his edge, helping Los Angeles keep near the top of the Western Conference. His close marking and tenacious tackling are two skills that many sides in Europe could use. But he could use a little more limelight to help showcase what he can do. Making a choice between Mexico and the United States for international duty and playing in the Gold Cup could help increase his spotlight.

DEFENDER- GEORGE BELLO (ATLANTA UNITED FC) Right now one of the major positions of need across football is for young, fast, left-backs that are also able to defend closely. Although Bello is still a bit of a work in progress in defense, he has improved greatly under new coach Gabriel Heinze. Atlanta is one of the top clubs in MLS at developing young players and connecting them with teams in Europe. While they might like to give him an additional year of seasoning before venturing out into the transfer market, should the right offer come through they will definitely listen.

DEFENDER- SAM VINES (COLORADO RAPIDS) Vines is a two-way player that is comfortable leading an attack from the outside as well as tracking back to stop a counter. His speed and

"HIS STRENGTH AND SPEED UP TOP HAVE HELPED TORONTO FC THIS SEASON AND MAKE HIM A DANGEROUS TARGET FOR ANY SIDE."

tracking ability on defense would make him a great fit for a team in need of some juice off of the bench. He did just sign a long-term deal with the Rapids but that may be more of a preventative measure to ensure that they get some monetary return on their rising star.

MIDFIELDER- COLE BASSETT (COLORADO RAPIDS) At just 19 years old, Bassett has steadily become one of the top midfielders in MLS, leading his team in both goals and assists last season. While he is certainly an asset at the end of attacking plays, he really shines on setting up the counter-attack, always finding the right pass at the right possible moment. What’s interesting is that he is the exact type of player that the Rapids Owners (Kroneke Sports and Entertainment) need for their other soccer team: Arsenal. Bassett has the skillset to thrive in the Premier League and Arsenal would give him time to adapt.

MIDFIELDER- GIANLUCA BUSIO (SPORTING KANSAS CITY) Busio has been on the radar for European clubs for a number of years, thanks in part to earning a starting spot for Sporting at the age of 16. Just 18 years old, Busio has become a consistent starter for Vermes’ side, making 37 appearances for the defending Western Conference champions over the past two seasons. His patience with the ball and ability to deliver crisp passes to attackers make him a perfect target for teams in Serie A and the Netherlands (both of which he has been heavily linked to). His goal-scoring touch is still a work in progress, but Vermes tends to have him in a more conservative midfield setup. If

MILLIONAIRES LIST

The Major League Soccer Players Association's release Salary numbers for the 786 players under contract with MLS.

"A TWO-TIME MLS GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR, BLAKE IS AT THE TOP OF HIS GAME RIGHT NOW FOR THE UNION."

he can get more time with the USMNT senior roster (he has yet to earn a call-up to the full national team) it may give him the chance to show more of his attacking skill set.

MIDFIELDER- CADEN CLARK (NEW YORK RED BULLS) Another Baby Bull that seems destined for Europe, Clark has broken through the senior sides veteran midfi eld at just the age of 17. His speed off the ball and ability to create chances out of nothing (he currently leads the team in goals) have given Red Bulls fans hope that perhaps this season will not be a complete wash out. His pathway to Europe seems to be a little more clear with the Red Bull organization keen on keeping him under their umbrella. The question is now which side will pick up the talisman midfi elder: Leipzig or Salzburg?

FORWARD-DIEGO ROSSI (LAFC) For years, LAFC have resisted the temptation of selling Rossi, with bids coming in as high as $17 million for the Uruguayan international. But at the age of 23, now seems to be the time for a move for both parties. Since joining the side, Rossi has amassed an impressive 45 goals in 90 matches. While the club may want to hold off on selling him to see if they can make one more run at an MLS Cup a midseason move isn’t out of the realm of possibility.

FORWARD- AYO AKINOLA (TORONTO FC) Akinola has attracted the interest of multiple sides in Europe including Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers. His strength and speed up top have helped Toronto FC this season and make him a dangerous target for any side. Also, given that he still seems to be cool on international duty (he has attended camps for both Canada and the United States in the last year) he would likely make an immediate transfer, giving him extra time to adjust to his new surroundings.

FORWARD- DARRYL DIKE (ORLANDO CITY SC) Dike’s move to Europe is almost a near lock after crushing the competition during a springtime loan to Barnsley. The University of Virginia alum scored nine goals for The Tykes, earning club’s Player of the Month honors for April and May. Dike would have likely stayed at Oakwell had the side been promoted to the Premier League. However, the $20million buy clause was too much for the side forcing the USMNT international to head home. Since his loan spell, Orlando have had a change in ownership and seem keen to move Dike to help boost their rebuilding eff orts. Given his strong run with Barnsley and some additional time with the USMNT this summer a move to a top fl ight club either back in England or elsewhere in the continent seems like a certainty.

ABOVE LEFT (OPPOSITE PAGE): Akinola has attracted the interest of multiple sides in Europe including Cardiff City and Queens Park Rangers.

LEFT (OPPOSITE PAGE): For years, LAFC have resisted the temptation of selling Rossi

FAR TOP: Andre Blake

TOP: Homegrown player Cole Bassett

BELOW: Dike is looking to move to Europe after his success in North America

SIDE BAR RIGHT: Bradley off ered to take a pay cut to help Toronto FC, and to stay at the club MLS PLAYER SALARIES ($5 MILLION OR MORE, SPRING 2016)

1. Kaka (Orlando City), $7.167 million 2. Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC), $7.115 million 3. Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), $6.5 million 4. Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy), $6.132 million 5. Frank Lampard (New York City FC), $6.0 million 6. Andrea Pirlo (New York City FC), $5.915 million 7. David Villa (New York City FC), $5.610 million

MLS PLAYER SALARIES ($5 MILLION OR MORE, SPRING 2021)

1. Carlos Vela (LAFC) $6.3 million 2. Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy) $6 million 3. Gonzalo Higuain (Inter Miami) $5.794 million

The number of players earning at least $1 million has more than tripled from 23 to 72. The team with the most "millionaires" is a surprise: FC Cincinnati, MLS's worst team in 2019 and 2020. FC Cincinnati, which recently opened its new stadium, has six players making at least $1 million: No. 11 Jurgen Locadia, No. 19 Luciano Acosta, No. 26 Brenner, No. 50 Yuya Kubo, No. 54 Allan Cruz and No. 71 Kamohelo Mokotjo. One team -- Sporting KC -- has fi ve players making at least $1 million, while four -- defending champion Columbus, Inter Miami, Seattle and Toronto FC -- have four players. The fewest players any team has making at least $1 million is one by the FC Dallas, Minnesota United, the New York Red Bulls and San Jose.

The number of players earning at least $1

ONLY SIX AMERICANS RANK IN THE TOP 50 IN COMPENSATION:

6. Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), $3.602 million 29. Darlington Nagbe (Columbus), $1.71 million 33. Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), $1.5 million 38. Gyasi Zardes (Columbus), $1.4 million 45. Jordan Morris (Seattle), $1.27 million 56. Kellyn Acosta (Colorado), $1.115 million