Player Focus: 5 Playmakers Who Could Set MLS 2014 Alight
The playmaker. Arguably the most celebrated type of footballer and MLS has no shortage of them. Even after just three weeks into the new campaign, the best number 10s North America has to offer are coming to the fore. 2014 could be the year of the playmaker in MLS and here are 5 who look most likely to make their mark on the season ahead.
FC Dallas are no strangers to an accomplished number 10 having boasted David Ferreira on their roster for three ears. By winning the league’s MVP award for the 2010 season, Ferreira engrained the tradition of the playmaker on the Texas side and it’s a tradition that has been picked up by Díaz since joining FC Dallas last year.
In his first 3 appearances of the season, Díaz is averaging 2 key passes per game and has managed to bag a goal for himself. Yet, the strange thing is that were you to transplant Díaz into another MLS team, he would likely struggle. Bradley and Powers are at their best playing behind an attacking duo, flanked by wingers, while Díaz is so dynamic he can drift all the way across the line to find space and time whenever he pleases.
Díaz is also a hub for possession at FC Dallas, playing an average of 41.7 passes per game, the second highest tally on the team. And for a risk-taking playmaker his pass success rate isn’t bad either, completing 84% of his passes.
Sigi Schmid and the Seattle Sounders must be watching how Mauro Rosales has reinvigorated himself as one of the league’s most creative players and wondering why they ever got rid of him. Chivas USA look a much more organised and altogether better side than the one that slumped to a bottom place finish in the Western Conference last year and much of that is down to Rosales.
While the Sounders have struggled for a cutting edge in the final third so far this season, Chivas USA have become a free-flowing, dynamic side with Rosales in the team. He's averaging 2.7 key passes per game for Chivas USA this season, laying on two assists in his opening three games for the Los Angeles-based team. He is also the Californian's most prolific passer of the ball, averaging 43 passes per game. The next highest tally on the Chivas USA roster is Oswaldo Minda, with just 38 passes per game. If he keeps up this kind of form, Rosales will be crucial to Chivas USA's development.
The Portland Timbers’ season is still spluttering and struggling to find traction while others (looking at you FC Dallas and Houston) have found velocity almost instantly. Caleb Porter’s side were the most attractive and dynamic team in MLS by quite some distance in 2013, with Valeri a valid candidate for the league’s MVP award.
And while the Argentine hasn’t yet found that sort of vein in 2014 he remains one of the most accomplished players in the league. Last season Valeri was prolific for the Timbers in almost every statistical column, averaging 1.8 key passes per game, 35.9 total passes per game, 2.3 shots on goal per game (a team high) and eight assists. There has been little thus far to suggest he will enjoy a similarly successful year, but with players like Valeri quality always shines through in the end.
Technically speaking Bradley isn’t a number 10. Toronto FC don’t play with such a player, as Jonathan Osario and Gilberto give Ryan Nelsen the energy his side needs as a collective midfield hub. Nonetheless, Bradley has all the qualities of a playmaker and despite his deeper position he has become TFC’s creative dynamo in just two games for the Canadian side.
There was one specific play against DC United which highlighted what Bradley brings to TFC as a deep-lying playmaker. From a position about 30 yards out from goal the USA international flicked a blind side pass inside the opposition full-back, releasing Alvaro Rey through on goal. Rey actually fluffed his lines but it demonstrated the vision Bradley has in a role he has become indispensable in for the US National Team.
Despite only joining Toronto FC just over two months ago, Bradley is averaging the join-highest tally of key passes per game, with 4 (joint with Brad Davis and Shea Salinas). His shots on goal average is marginally better in MLS than it was for Roma in Serie (one shot per game compared to 0.6) but of course, that could level out over the course of the season.
Once again, this is a guy who doesn’t quite fit the archetypal number 10 mould. In fact, Powers could best be described as a box-to-box midfielder.
Powers created both of the Colorado Rapids’ goals in the 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers and has formed an understanding with Uruguayan Vicente Sanchez, with Powers the undoubted hub of possession on the Rapids team alongside Jose Mari. The 23-year-old is averaging 41 passes per game, with a success rate of 86.6%. He might not take the same kind of risks of some other MLS playmakers, but that percentage is still rather impressive for a player of his energy and mould.
Besides Bradley, USA has struggled to produce homegrown central midfielders, turning to naturalised players like Jermaine Jones and Mix Diskerud to fill places in the national team. Powers could change that trend, winning the MLS Rookie of the Year award last year. Alongside fellow rookie Deshorn Brown, who netted an MLS rookie record 10 goals last season, Powers is one of the most exciting prospects America has at the moment.
Are there any playmakers that you think could set MLS 2014 alight? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below
Wow, impressive strengths on Diego Valeri. Will have to keep an eye out for him this season
Toronto have not really covered themselves in glory recently - it will be interesting to see if Bradley can drastically improve the side (along with Defoe and Cesar)
Looking forward to seeing more of these guys!