But entering his second MLS season, Zelarayán seems poised to vault into stardom and give Columbus fans plenty to cheer when the team moves into its new stadium. Now players like Caden Clark, Cade Cowell, Ayo Akinola and Emanuel Reynoso are being talked about as potential breakout stars for the Major League Soccer season. Raul Ruidiaz, Seattle — Ruidiaz scores goals. “Another terrific young player who has come in and taken his chance with both hands and continues to progress. Emanuel Reynoso, Minnesota United — The Loons were minutes away from playing in the MLS Cup final last season before Seattle staged a shocking rally to end Minnesota United’s title hopes. Andre Blake, Philadelphia — How good was Blake in goal a year ago? Cole Bassett, Colorado — Bassett had a breakout 2020 season with five goals and five assists in just 14 matches. The potential is there for him to be a potent complement to Jozy Altidore in the Toronto attack if Akinola can be more like the summer 2020 version. There’s no reason to think there will be a drop-off this year for the 29-year-old, who should be in the MVP conversation every season he’s in MLS. Cole Bassett, Colorado — Bassett had a breakout 2020 season with five goals and five assists in just 14 matches. Emanuel Reynoso, Minnesota United — The Loons were minutes away from playing in the MLS Cup final last season before Seattle staged a shocking rally to end Minnesota United’s title hopes. Lucas Zelarayán, Columbus — You all realize Columbus won the MLS Cup last December, right? Cade Cowell, San Jose — Another member of the 17-year-old club, Cowell saw his first extensive playing time for the Earthquakes last year, appearing in 17 matches with one goal, one assist. Rossi led the league with 14 goals, but LAFC only finished seventh in the West in part because of Vela’s injury troubles. Akinola is being talked about as a potential breakout star for the upcoming Major League Soccer season. Here’s a look at players to watch as the 26th season of MLS gets started this week: Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela, LAFC — No team in MLS can match the star power the duo of Rossi and Vela bring. “For Richie (Laryea), I have the same thoughts as I have for Ayo (Akinola),” Altidore told media last season. Lucas Zelarayán, Columbus — You all realize Columbus won the MLS Cup last December, right? Gonzalo Higuain, Inter Miami — What does the former Real Madrid and Juventus star have left at age 33? One of the big questions for 2021 is whether Martinez’s return will help Atlanta return to the ranks of the elite. Clark appeared in eight matches total last season for the Red Bulls with three goals and plenty of optimism. When healthy there is no better player in the league than Vela and that showed in the CONCACAF Champions League in December when Vela had five goals in leading LAFC to the final. How will new coach Phil Neville use Higuain and can they unlock an exciting, entertaining style of play that fits with what owner David Beckham wants from his club? Club León v Toronto FC, 8p on FS1, TUDN USA, fuboTV, Sling TV, FoxSports.com, TUDN.com, Vidgo, Fox Sports GO, and the TUDN app: Jozy Altidore and Ayo Akinola travel to … Alejandro Pozuelo is the reigning league MVP in Toronto and nobody was better in goal than Philadelphia’s Andre Blake. The potential is there for him to be a potent complement to Jozy Altidore in the Toronto attack if Akinola can be more like the summer 2020 version. He scored just four more times the rest of the season. James Sands, NYCFC — The 20-year-old defender established himself as a starter for NYCFC last season and was rewarded with a five-year contract extension last month even as he remains on the radar of European clubs. More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. The 25-year-old Argentinian had 10 assists and two goals in Minnesota’s final six games — regular season and playoffs. One of the big questions for 2021 is whether Martinez’s return will help Atlanta return to the ranks of the elite. Andre Blake, Philadelphia — How good was Blake in goal a year ago? But entering his second MLS season, Zelarayán seems poised to vault into stardom and give Columbus fans plenty to cheer when the team moves into its new stadium. Toronto FC has resumed full training after an outbreak of COVID-19 that sent players and staff home to self-isolate. He scored just four more times the rest of the season. If Seattle expects to remain among the elite in the West, Ruidiaz must have a big season. The MLS club had nine positive cases, … The potential is there for him to be a potent complement to Jozy Altidore in the Toronto attack if Akinola can be more like the summer 2020 version. Reynoso was the reason the Loons were on the cusp. Ayo Akinola, Toronto FC — Akinola was the star of the MLS is Back tournament last summer with five goals in four matches. His 2017 MVP season may never be matched, but he still remains one of the most talented playmakers in the league. Russia's communications watchdog accused Twitter on Tuesday of deleting banned content too slowly in the latest dispute between a major government and Big Tech. Expect those numbers to increase in 2021. Alejandro Pozuelo, Toronto FC — The reigning league MVP was the engine for Toronto last season with eight goals and 10 assists. The potential is there for him to be a potent complement to Jozy Altidore in the Toronto attack if Akinola can be more like the summer 2020 version. Gonzalo Higuain, Inter Miami — What does the former Real Madrid and Juventus star have left at age 33? This season he’ll be challenged by not having Jordan Morris on the wing. Jozy Altidore departed in the 75th minute with an apparent leg injury for TFC, on a night new manager Chris Armas was already without Alejandro Pozuelo, Jonathan Osorio, Ayo Akinola and Tsubasa Endoh. This will be Higuain’s first full season in MLS. Alejandro Pozuelo, Toronto FC — The reigning league MVP was the engine for Toronto last season with eight goals and 10 assists. More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports, FILE - Toronto FC forward Ayo Akinola, front, scores his second goal of the game during the first half of an MLS soccer match against the Montreal Impact in Kissimmee, Fla., in this Thursday, July 16, 2020, file photo. Nobody was better at finding the back of the net than Diego Rossi of Los Angeles FC a season ago. Blake is probably the biggest star on a Philadelphia team that may not have many big names but could be the best team in the league entering the season. When healthy there is no better player in the league than Vela and that showed in the CONCACAF Champions League in December when Vela had five goals in leading LAFC to the final. The 25-year-old Argentinian had 10 assists and two goals in Minnesota’s final six games — regular season and playoffs. Blake is probably the biggest star on a Philadelphia team that may not have many big names but could be the best team in the league entering the season. The Crew are as deep as any team in the league with the likes of Darlington Nagbe and Gyasi Zardes. © 2021 www.statesman.com. I think for Richie, he has to keep his … Gallardo also left the match in the 75th after replacing Noble Okello at halftime. Ayo Akinola, Toronto FC — Akinola was the star of the MLS is Back tournament last summer with five goals in four matches. At age 19, Bassett is in line to get plenty more minutes on an improved Rapids squad. James Sands, NYCFC — The 20-year-old defender established himself as a starter for NYCFC last season and was rewarded with a five-year contract extension last month even as he remains on the radar of European clubs. Raul Ruidiaz, Seattle — Ruidiaz scores goals. At age 19, Bassett is in line to get plenty more minutes on an improved Rapids squad. But at 34, how many more years can Valeri continue to perform at an elite level? He finished fifth in MVP voting. There’s no reason to think there will be a drop-off this year for the 29-year-old, who should be in the MVP conversation every season he’s in MLS. He finished fifth in MVP voting. But at 34, how many more years can Valeri continue to perform at an elite level? Moscow said earlier this month it had slowed the speed of U.S.-based Twitter inside Russia and on March 16 threatened to ban the social media service outright in a month over content from child pornography to drug abuse. In case you forgot, Martinez scored 27 goals during the 2019 season when Atlanta finished second in the Eastern Conference, reached the conference final and won the U.S. Open Cup. Now players like Caden Clark, Cade Cowell, Ayo Akinola and Emanuel Reynoso are being talked about as potential breakout stars for the Major League Soccer season. Josef Martinez, Atlanta United — The 2018 league MVP is back after missing last season with a torn ACL. He scored just four more times the rest of the season. Reynoso was the reason the Loons were on the cusp. Here’s a look at players to watch as the 26th season of MLS gets started this week: Diego Rossi and Carlos Vela, LAFC — No team in MLS can match the star power the duo of Rossi and Vela bring. Clark appeared in eight matches total last season for the Red Bulls with three goals and plenty of optimism. Josef Martinez, Atlanta United — The 2018 league MVP is back after missing last season with a torn ACL. Ayo Akinola, Toronto FC — Akinola was the star of the MLS is Back tournament last summer with five goals in four matches. This will be Higuain’s first full season in MLS. He scored just four more times the rest of the season. Caden Clark, NY Red Bulls — The 17-year-old is on the radar of European clubs with rumors of a transfer to RB Leipzig already surfacing. Alejandro Pozuelo is the reigning league MVP in Toronto and nobody was better in goal than Philadelphia’s Andre Blake. How will new coach Phil Neville use Higuain and can they unlock an exciting, entertaining style of play that fits with what owner David Beckham wants from his club? That’s why the Peruvian was brought to Seattle. Diego Valeri, Portland — He’s the “Maestro” for the Timbers and has been since his arrival in 2013. This season he’ll be challenged by not having Jordan Morris on the wing. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Caden Clark, NY Red Bulls — The 17-year-old is on the radar of European clubs with rumors of a transfer to RB Leipzig already surfacing. Diego Valeri, Portland — He’s the “Maestro” for the Timbers and has been since his arrival in 2013. ... //twitter… He arrived in Miami last September and made nine appearances with one goal. Ayo Akinola, Toronto FC — Akinola was the star of the MLS is Back tournament last summer with five goals in four matches. Ayo Akinola, Toronto FC — Akinola was the star of the MLS is Back tournament last summer with five goals in four matches. The potential is there for him to be a potent complement to Jozy Altidore in the Toronto attack if Akinola can be more like the summer 2020 version. If Seattle expects to remain among the elite in the West, Ruidiaz must have a big season. He scored just four more times the rest of the season. He scored just four more times the rest of the season. He arrived in Miami last September and made nine appearances with one goal. That’s why the Peruvian was brought to Seattle. Nobody was better at finding the back of the net than Diego Rossi of Los Angeles FC a season ago. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Rossi led the league with 14 goals, but LAFC only finished seventh in the West in part because of Vela’s injury troubles. His 2017 MVP season may never be matched, but he still remains one of the most talented playmakers in the league. Twitter has launched an emoji to spotlight the "#MilkTeaAlliance" online protest movement that has forged links between pro-democracy activists across Asia, the social media giant said Thursday. The Crew are as deep as any team in the league with the likes of Darlington Nagbe and Gyasi Zardes. Ayo Akinola, Toronto FC — Akinola was the star of the MLS is Back tournament last summer with five goals in four matches. Cade Cowell, San Jose — Another member of the 17-year-old club, Cowell saw his first extensive playing time for the Earthquakes last year, appearing in 17 matches with one goal, one assist. Expect those numbers to increase in 2021. All rights reserved. In case you forgot, Martinez scored 27 goals during the 2019 season when Atlanta finished second in the Eastern Conference, reached the conference final and won the U.S. Open Cup. With seven goals in their 180 minutes of preseason action, TFC’s attacking cohort—who will be without Ayo Akinola and Achara—will have their sights set on bagging a few past León, as the Mexican club, who currently occupy eighth spot in the Liga MX, has conceded 17 goals in their first 13 league games of the 2020/21 campaign. Toronto FC has resumed full training after an outbreak of COVID-19 that sent players and staff home to self-isolate. Star for the Red Bulls with three goals and 10 assists both hands and to... 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