Major League Soccer didn't bring in the high-profile signings of a year ago, but the 2016 international signings should make their mark on several top teams this year.
You will excuse Major League Soccer fans if they felt a bit underwhelmed this year by the crop of international signings made by MLS teams this winter. After all, it was always going to be tough to match the winter before the 2015 season for star power.
David Villa, Kaka, Frank Lampard and Sebastian Giovinco were signed last offseason, which helped create considerable buzz in the league's 20th season. It also provided some tangible momentum into a season that also saw the likes of Didier Drogba, Andrea Pirlo and Giovani Dos Santos arrive during the year.
The star power this winter has been far less headline-grabbing, but make no mistake, there is a good influx of potentially difference-making players who have arrived in the league. The LA Galaxy had the busiest offseason on the international market, landing a trio of starting-caliber players after being forced to sell long-time starters Juninho and Omar Gonzalez.
"When we were signing named designated players people were concerned that we were just going for their names," MLS commissioner Don Garber told Goal USA. "Then we invest deeply in the middle or our rosters, and I think people should really be focusing in on the fact that we've made a very concentrated strategic commitment to players six through 10, which will ultimately allow us to be more competitive, particularly against Mexico in the (CONCACAF) Champions League as soon as we get that schedule right."
MLS implemented new roster spending mechanisms to allow teams to sign more mid-range players who can earn salaries between $457,500 and $1 million. That new mechanism (Targeted Allocation Money) already has helped pave the way for potentially significant signings that may not have occurred in previous seasons.
As for the lack of star names this winter, Garber downplayed any suggestion that it is some new trend we will see in MLS going forward.
"The teams that are signing the big-named players all have three DPs," Garber said. "People say we're moving away from (high-profile) DPs, but who is going to sign them? The big spenders all have three DPs already.
"When LA (FC) comes in you can be sure they're going to be bringing in a bunch of DPs. When Miami comes in you can be sure they're going to be signing some big DPs."
So which players are making their way into MLS in 2016? Here is a rundown of the top MLS newcomers signed this winter (along with one 'newcomer' expected to arrive this summer):
TIM HOWARD, Goalkeeper, Colorado Rapids
No, the U.S. national team goalkeeper hasn't officially signed with the Rapids just yet, but all signs point to a deal happening that will bring Howard to Colorado this summer. Reports have the World Cup hero landing a multi-million dollar contract, making him one of the highest-paid goalkeepers in league history.
The interesting thing about this offseason is the fact that MLS teams have focused almost exclusively on goalkeepers from within the league. The LA Galaxy, Toronto FC and Orlando City all traded for MLS veterans, and it doesn't look as any of the league's 20 teams will start an MLS newcomer on opening day.
Howard isn't quite an MLS newcomer either. If and when he arrives this summer, it will come 13 years after he left the New York/New Jersey MetroStars to join Manchester United.
ASHLEY COLE, Fullback, LA Galaxy
The former England national team star drew plenty of criticism for past comments he made about MLS, but that didn't stop the LA Galaxy from signing him to be their new left back. Cole had spent most of the past two years stuck on the bench at AS Roma, but Bruce Arena is banking on Cole being able to step in and be one of the best fullbacks in the league.
It may seem a risky move for the Galaxy, especially given the fact they already had Robbie Rogers at left back, but Cole's arrival allows Rogers to slide over to right back, and Cole's price tag ($300,000 per season) is a very reasonable price for a player who could be an all-star.
GIDEON BAAH, Center back, New York Red Bulls
New Chelsea signing Matt Miazga was one of the biggest losses for MLS this winter, but the Red Bulls are confident Baah can step in and help filled the void left behind by the young U.S. national team defender.
The Ghanaian defender was a standout for Finnish side HJK Helsinki, and only recently earned his first cap for Ghana last October. The jury is still out on whether Baah can be an impact starter for the Red Bulls, but all signs point to him being expected to take on a starting role.
JELLE VAN DAMME, Center back, LA Galaxy
Losing a player like Omar Gonzalez was a tough blow for the Galaxy, but Bruce Arena appears to have landed a very capable replacement in Van Damme, a 6-foot-3 bruiser with good technical quality for his size.
The 32-year-old former Anderlecht and Standard Liege defender spent most of his time playing as a left back in Europe, but he has the tools to make a smooth transition into a regular central defense spot with the Galaxy.
RONALD MATARRITA, Fullback, New York City FC
New York City FC's inaugural season in MLS was marred in part by some woeful defending, but NYCFC's best move in trying to address its defensive issues may have been landing Matarrita, who is the latest talented youngsters to come off Costa Rica's seemingly endless assembly line of left backs.
The 21-year-old defender made enough of a mark with Alajuelense to already have earned six appearances with the Costa Rican national team, and Matarrita should lock down the starting left back spot for Patrick Vieira's revamped defense. His speed and ability to join the attack from the fullback position should make him a real threat for the Eastern Conference club.
NIGEL DE JONG, Defensive midfielder, LA Galaxy
Potentially the most important signing of the offseason, De Jong steps in and gives the Galaxy some sorely needed muscle and bite in midfield. He is just the kind of player capable of handling the dirty work to allow the likes of Giovani Dos Santos and Steven Gerrard to create in the attack.
Having arrived on loan, De Jong is joining the Galaxy on a reasonable $500,000 salary, which is astounding considering he's only 31 and could start for his share of top teams in Europe. De Jong also has plenty of incentive to do well, as his loan converts into a full transfer and designated player contract if he makes a certain number of starts for the Galaxy in 2016.
CARLOS GRUEZO, Defensive midfielder, FC Dallas
Though he hasn't received anywhere close to the fanfare of De Jong, Gruezo could wind up being the player who helps FC Dallas retain its place as the top team in the Western Conference. The 20-year-old Ecuadorian didn't spend long with German Bundesliga side VfB Stuttgart but he impressed enough there and with Ecuador to develop a reputation as a top talent.
Gruezo steps into a young FC Dallas side and gives the team a strong, tenacious and dynamic presence to work the area behind playmaker Mauro Diaz.
ANTONIO NOCERINO, Central midfielder, Orlando Ccity
The 30-year-old Italian midfielder reunites with former AC Milan teammate Kaka and gives Orlando City's already solid midfield another high-level option.
Though he was more a pure defensive midfielder in Serie A, Nocerino can be a box-to-box option as well as a right-wing option for Adrian Heath's side. It might have seemed like an odd acquisition given Orlando City's wealth of options in the middle, but potential national team duties for several Orlando City players should keep Nocerino busy in a variety of roles.
SHKELZEN GASHI, Attacking midfielder, Colorado Rapids
If you're looking for a winter arrival with the potential to light up scoreboards a la Sebastian Giovinco, Gashi could be that player. The former FC Basel star is a goal-scoring threat and versatile midfield dynamo who can work the wings or pull the attacking strings in a central role.
The Rapids will be counting on Gashi reviving an attack that was the worst in MLS in 2015, and while it certainly sounds as though Colorado isn't done making big moves, the acquisition of such a talented player in his prime like the 27-year-old Gashi was one of the best signings of the winter.
ROLAND ALBERG, Attacking midfielder, Philadelphia Union
When Earnie Stewart took the job as the Philadelphia Union's sporting director, he was expected to tap into his European connections to bring in some impact talent. Enter Alberg, a very promising 25-year-old Dutch playmaker who could wind up stepping in and starting for a Union side that needed a boost to its attack.
Alberg joins the Union from Dutch side ADO Den Haag, and while he will have some good competition for the lead playmaker role with Tranquillo Barnetta, it is a safe bet he becomes a regular starter and could be a key figure in helping the Union make a return to the playoffs. As good as Alberg could be, another Union signing who almost cracked this list is Brazilian midfielder Ilsinho, who brings an impressive resume to the Union.
LUCIANO ACOSTA, Attacking midfielder, D.C. United
D.C. United's offense was in desperate need of some speed and dynamism, and Acosta looks like he could be just what Ben Olsen's team needed. The 5-foot-3 attacking midfielder already has turned heads in preseason with his quickness and technical quality, which should help the likes of Fabian Espindola, Alvaro Saborio and Chris Rolfe find more chances.
The Boca Juniors product can operate as a playmaker or second forward and his small stature hasn't stopped him from being one of the more impressive newcomers in MLS preseason.
- Goal