Former league MVP Josef Martinez has announced a series of exciting transfers ahead of the 2023 MLS season. (Reuters)
As Major League Soccer’s international profile continues to rise, we’ve seen some truly historic names cross the Atlantic to ply their trade, and last season was no different. World-class talents like Gareth Bale, Lorenzo Insigne and Giorgio Chiellini all made the headlines when they arrived, but so many more added to the overall quality of the league.
This year will be no different, with players from all over the world as well as trades within MLS teams, the 2023 season will bring some new arrivals to keep an eye on and here are some of them.
Josef Martinez – forward
By: Atlanta United
To: InterMiami
Following the departure of Gonzalo Higuain, who is entering the sunset of retirement, Miami has landed his replacement in the form of 2018 League MVP, All-Star Game MVP, Golden Boot Winner and MLS Cup Final MVP Josef Martinez. While his split from Atlanta was far from amicable, the Venezuela international seems as motivated as ever to get back in shape.
After ACL surgery and subsequent knee problems that meant he was out more than 350 days in the last three years, Martinez scored under ten goals last season for the first time in his MLS career. However, his arrival alongside attacking reinforcements such as fellow MVP Alejandro Pozuelo as well as Leonardo Campana from Premier League side Wolverhampton could herald the arrival of a dangerous new attacking trident in the league.
All three could deserve a spot of their own on this list, but as the one with the most experience and evidence, Martinez will feel the pressure to perform right away.
Aaron Long – Center Back
By: New York Red Bulls
To: Los Angeles F.C
It takes a lot to snatch a starting role from a legend like Giorgio Chiellini, but a newcomer like Aaron Long could do the trick. The American, one of the most consistent defenders in MLS in recent seasons with Red Bulls, has been called up to the World Cup squad for good reason this winter.
Although he didn’t play a minute in the tournament, his inclusion alongside the likes of Walker Zimmerman and Tim Ream was enough to make him one of the most sought-after free agents this offseason. He also joins an already stacked LAFC side to repeat as MLS Cup champions.
Evander – Attacking midfield
By: FC Midtjylland
To: Portland Timbers
After establishing one of the greatest modern MLS runs of all time, the Portland Timbers’ age is finally beginning to catch up to them after narrowly missing out on the playoffs last season. In response, they went out and signed Evander, one of this season’s most exciting newcomers. The Brazilian playmaker has always been one of the most creative players in the Danish Superliga for FC Midtjylland. In his five years at the club, he scored 42 goals and added 32 assists, which is why Portland broke both the bank and the club’s transfer fee, making him their designated player.
With club legends Diego Valeri retiring and Sebastian Blanco showing his age at times, Evander is just the right player to put the ship back in order and revitalize a Portland attack that has been struggling with inconsistencies. His Superliga title and two Danish Cups also bring a winning mentality and experience to Portland.
Aaron Herrera – Right-Back/Center-Back
By: Real Salt Lake
To: CF Montreal
With the departure of Alistair Johnston to Celtic in Scotland, CF Montreal not only lost their best defender but one of the best in MLS. Able to play both the right-back position and slipping into central defense, Johnston was a pivotal part of a team that finished third in the Supporters Shield race. In the search for a replacement, Montreal settled on Aaron Herrera, who has a very similar profile to Johnston, adding the energetic and effective presence that the right channel lacked.
A proven unit in terms of distribution and crossing skills from the right, Herrera has yet to prove himself on the defensive end as Montreal’s backline was prone to errors and goals against the flow last season. After Montreal sent Joaquin Torres to Philadelphia in exchange for general allocation money, he essentially broke with what they spent to bring in Herrera, which could result in him becoming one of the biggest bargains of the season.
Roman Burki – goalkeeper
From: Borussia Dortmund
To: St Louis City SC
Everyone in MLS knows that good, consistent goalies can make or break a season, and that’s even more true for an extension team. St. Louis wasted no time bringing in a goaltender that automatically alerted the league that they weren’t messing around in their inaugural season.
Burki has been with Germany’s second-biggest club for seven years and has played on some of the biggest stages in the world, including the Champions League. He was also part of the Swiss national team at two World Cups and the 2016 UEFA European Championship.
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