10 players to watch in MLS this season

Clint-Dempsey

Seattle's Clint Dempsey. (Ted S. Warren/AP)

Clint Dempsey – Seattle Sounders: After seven seasons in England, the captain of the U.S. national team returned to his native land in 2013, helping lead the Sounders as far as the conference semifinals. Another year with the MLS’s most popular team should bring more success for Dempsey.
Clint Dempsey – Seattle Sounders: After seven seasons in England, the captain of the U.S. national team returned to his native land in 2013, helping lead the Sounders as far as the conference semifinals. Another year with the MLS’s most popular team should bring more success for Dempsey.
Graham Zusi – Sporting Kansas City: Zusi has been a key player in the success of Sporting K.C. after being drafted in 2009. Since his breakout season in 2011, K.C. has finished no worse than second in the East, won the 2012 U.S. Open Cup and captured the 2013 MLS Cup.
Graham Zusi – Sporting Kansas City: Zusi has been a key player in the success of Sporting K.C. after being drafted in 2009. Since his breakout season in 2011, K.C. has finished no worse than second in the East, won the 2012 U.S. Open Cup and captured the 2013 MLS Cup.
Clint Dempsey – Seattle Sounders: After seven seasons in England, the captain of the U.S. national squad returned to his native land in 2013, helping lead the Sounders as far as the conference semifinals. Another year with the league’s most popular team should bring more success for Dempsey.
Clint Dempsey – Seattle Sounders: After seven seasons in England, the captain of the U.S. national squad returned to his native land in 2013, helping lead the Sounders as far as the conference semifinals. Another year with the league’s most popular team should bring more success for Dempsey.
José Gonçalves – New England Revolution: The Revolution’s captain was its only player to take the field for every minute of the team’s season and had a stellar 2013 campaign— including a performance against Montreal in October that many considered the best by any defender all season.
José Gonçalves – New England Revolution: The Revolution’s captain was its only player to take the field for every minute of the team’s season and had a stellar 2013 campaign— including a performance against Montreal in October that many considered the best by any defender all season.
José Gonçalves – New England Revolution: The New England Revolution’s captain was its only player to take the field for every minute of the team’s season and had a stellar 2013 campaign— including a performance against Montreal in October that many considered the best by any defender all season.
José Gonçalves – New England Revolution: The New England Revolution’s captain was its only player to take the field for every minute of the team’s season and had a stellar 2013 campaign— including a performance against Montreal in October that many considered the best by any defender all season.
Jermain Defoe/Michael Bradley -- Toronto FC: TFC shook up the landscape of Major League Soccer in January, bringing in two of the biggest signings the league has ever seen. With a reported price tag of nearly $100 million, TFC fans are hoping Defoe and Bradley will help turn the franchise around.
Jermain Defoe/Michael Bradley — Toronto FC: TFC shook up the landscape of Major League Soccer in January, bringing in two of the biggest signings the league has ever seen. With a reported price tag of nearly $100 million, TFC fans are hoping Defoe and Bradley will help turn the franchise around.

Matias Laba – Vancouver Whitecaps: Recently acquired in a trade with Toronto FC, Laba will play an important role in what new coach Carl Robinson hopes will be a much-improved Whitecaps midfield. The 22-year-old Argentine has been tabbed to take on the “not-so-pleasant jobs” in Vancouver.
Matias Laba – Vancouver Whitecaps: Recently acquired in a trade with Toronto FC, Laba will play an important role in what new coach Carl Robinson hopes will be a much-improved Whitecaps midfield. The 22-year-old Argentine has been tabbed to take on the “not-so-pleasant jobs” in Vancouver.
Marco Di Vaio – Montreal Impact: After reaching the 20-goal plateau in 2013 – becoming just the 11th player in MLS history to do so – the Italian national will look to continue his high-scoring ways in 2014. The Impact are depending on it: Di Vaio accounted for 40 percent of their offence last season.
Marco Di Vaio – Montreal Impact: After reaching the 20-goal plateau in 2013 – becoming just the 11th player in MLS history to do so – the Italian national will look to continue his high-scoring ways in 2014. The Impact are depending on it: Di Vaio accounted for 40 percent of their offence last season.
Robbie Keane – Los Angeles Galaxy: Since joining the Galaxy in 2011, the 33-year-old Irish striker has notched 34 goals in 55 appearances. Searching for a franchise-record fifth MLS championship, Los Angeles will bank on Keane continuing to find the back of the net.
Robbie Keane – Los Angeles Galaxy: Since joining the Galaxy in 2011, the 33-year-old Irish striker has notched 34 goals in 55 appearances. Searching for a franchise-record fifth MLS championship, Los Angeles will bank on Keane continuing to find the back of the net.
Clint Dempsey – Seattle Sounders: After playing in England for seven seasons, the captain of the U.S. national squad returned to his native land last summer, helping lead the Sounders as far as the conference semifinals. Another year with the league’s most popular team should bring even more success for Dempsey.
Clint Dempsey – Seattle Sounders: After playing in England for seven seasons, the captain of the U.S. national squad returned to his native land last summer, helping lead the Sounders as far as the conference semifinals. Another year with the league’s most popular team should bring even more success for Dempsey.
Mike Magee – Chicago Fire: After exploding for 21 goals – 14 more than any other season in his MLS career – Magee was named league MVP as a member of his home-town team. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough as the Fire missed the post-season by just three goals.
Mike Magee – Chicago Fire: After exploding for 21 goals – 14 more than any other season in his MLS career – Magee was named league MVP as a member of his home-town team. Unfortunately it wasn’t enough as the Fire missed the post-season by just three goals.
Maurice Edu – Philadelphia Union: A former MLS Rookie of the Year with Toronto in 2007-08, Edu has enjoyed a travelled career which included stops in Scotland, England and Turkey. Now back in the MLS on loan with the Philadelphia Union, Edu hopes to boost his chances of playing in the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
Maurice Edu – Philadelphia Union: A former MLS Rookie of the Year with Toronto in 2007-08, Edu has enjoyed a travelled career which included stops in Scotland, England and Turkey. Now back in the MLS on loan with the Philadelphia Union, Edu hopes to boost his chances of playing in the World Cup in Brazil this summer.
Blas Perez – FC Dallas: Heading into his third season in Dallas, “Super Raton” will be looked upon to lead the Toros’ charge in 2014. After Panama crashed out of World Cup qualifying, Perez will be able to focus entirely on his contributions to his MLS club.
Blas Perez – FC Dallas: Heading into his third season in Dallas, “Super Raton” will be looked upon to lead the Toros’ charge in 2014. After Panama crashed out of World Cup qualifying, Perez will be able to focus entirely on his contributions to his MLS club.
Graham Zusi – Sporting Kansas City: Zusi has been a key player in the success of Sporting Kansas City after being drafted in 2009. Since his breakout season in 2011, K.C. has finished no worse than second in the East, won the 2012 U.S. Open Cup and captured the 2013 MLS Cup.
Graham Zusi – Sporting Kansas City: Zusi has been a key player in the success of Sporting Kansas City after being drafted in 2009. Since his breakout season in 2011, K.C. has finished no worse than second in the East, won the 2012 U.S. Open Cup and captured the 2013 MLS Cup.
José Gonçalves – New England Revolution: The Revolution’s captain was its only player to take the field for every minute of the team’s season and had a stellar 2013 campaign -- including a performance against Montreal in October that many considered the best by any defender all season.
José Gonçalves – New England Revolution: The Revolution’s captain was its only player to take the field for every minute of the team’s season and had a stellar 2013 campaign — including a performance against Montreal in October that many considered the best by any defender all season.

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