Gallery: 10 players to watch in MLS this season

Kei-Kamara;-Colmbus-Crew

Kei Kamara: If it wasn't for Sebastian Giovinco's historic 2015 season, Kamara would have likely been named MVP. The Sierra Leone international scored 22 goals and guided the Columbus Crew to the MLS Cup final. Now the 31-year-old will try to build on that form and try to claim the holy grail in 2016.

Ashley Cole: The England international has seldom played since leaving Chelsea. However, he's looked impressive in pre-season with the LA Galaxy. The 35-year-old will be the starting left-back, but he will have heavy expectations after he slandered MLS in 2014. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
Ashley Cole: The England international has seldom played since leaving Chelsea. However, he’s looked impressive in pre-season with the LA Galaxy. The 35-year-old will be the starting left-back, but he will have heavy expectations after he slandered MLS in 2014. (Damian Dovarganes/AP)
Sebastian Giovinco: The league MVP was responsible for 38 of Toronto FC's 58 goals last season. The 29-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking campaign, but he has try to and replicate that form in 2016. It will be a tough task. Teams will be more prepared for Giovinco, but he has the ability to score out of nothing. (Chris Young/CP)
Sebastian Giovinco: The league MVP was responsible for 38 of Toronto FC’s 58 goals last season. The 29-year-old enjoyed a record-breaking campaign, but he has try to and replicate that form in 2016. It will be a tough task. Teams will be more prepared for Giovinco, but he has the ability to score out of nothing. (Chris Young/CP)
Didier Drogba: No one in MLS scored more goals than the Ivorian after he joined the Montreal Impact. Drogba scored 11 goals in 11 regular-season appearances. It appeared as if the 37-year-old was going to leave Montreal to re-join Chelsea as a coach, but he's back with the Impact and is ready to make amends for the team's playoff exit in 2015. (Graham Hughes/CP)
Didier Drogba: No one in MLS scored more goals than the Ivorian after he joined the Montreal Impact. Drogba scored 11 goals in 11 regular-season appearances. It appeared as if the 37-year-old was going to leave Montreal to re-join Chelsea as a coach, but he’s back with the Impact and is ready to make amends for the team’s playoff exit in 2015. (Graham Hughes/CP)
Octavio Rivero: The Vancouver Whitecaps forward opened his MLS career with five goals in six games. Rivero bagged just five in his next 28 matches. Blas Perez and Masahido Kudo were signed to carry some the load up front. A fully fit Pedro Morales could also work wonders for the Uruguayan to help him become a more consistent scorer in 2016. (Jimmy Jeong/CP)
Octavio Rivero: The Vancouver Whitecaps forward opened his MLS career with five goals in six games. Rivero bagged just five in his next 28 matches. Blas Perez and Masahido Kudo were signed to carry some the load up front. A fully fit Pedro Morales could also work wonders for the Uruguayan to help him become a more consistent scorer in 2016. (Jimmy Jeong/CP)
Frank Lampard: The Englishman struggled in 2015, as did New York City FC. Lampard eventually hit his stride towards the end of the regular season, so now that he has a full pre-season under his belt, he should be a lot more consistent this season. NYCFC has big aspirations under new head coach Patrick Vieira, and the 37-year-old will be a crucial player for the club in 2016. (Darryl Dyck/CP)
Frank Lampard: The Englishman struggled in 2015, as did New York City FC. Lampard eventually hit his stride towards the end of the regular season, so now that he has a full pre-season under his belt, he should be a lot more consistent this season. NYCFC has big aspirations under new head coach Patrick Vieira, and the 37-year-old will be a crucial player for the club in 2016. (Darryl Dyck/CP)
Jordan Morris:The U.S. international spurned Werder Bremen for his hometown Seattle Sounders. He's a highly touted prospect who could become the USA's primary striker. However, since the Sounders sold Obafemi Martins, the pressure on Morris is only going to increase. He'll either sink or swim in 2016. (Ted S. Warren/AP)
Jordan Morris:The U.S. international spurned Werder Bremen for his hometown Seattle Sounders. He’s a highly touted prospect who could become the USA’s primary striker. However, since the Sounders sold Obafemi Martins, the pressure on Morris is only going to increase. He’ll either sink or swim in 2016. (Ted S. Warren/AP)
Kei Kamara: If it wasn't for Sebastian Giovinco's historic 2015, Kamara would have likely been named MLS MVP. The Sierra Leone international scored 22 goals and guided the Columbus Crew to the MLS Cup final. Now the 31-year-old will try to build on that form and try to claim the holy grail in 2016. (Michael Perez/AP)
Kei Kamara: If it wasn’t for Sebastian Giovinco’s historic 2015, Kamara would have likely been named MLS MVP. The Sierra Leone international scored 22 goals and guided the Columbus Crew to the MLS Cup final. Now the 31-year-old will try to build on that form and try to claim the holy grail in 2016. (Michael Perez/AP)
Dax McCarty: The New York Red Bulls captain was one of MLS' best deep-lying midfielders in 2015. McCarty is the engine of the midfield. Everything runs through him, so if the Red Bulls want to claim that elusive MLS Cup, they need the American to dominate again in 2016. (Alex Brandon/AP)
Dax McCarty: The New York Red Bulls captain was one of MLS’ best deep-lying midfielders in 2015. McCarty is the engine of the midfield. Everything runs through him, so if the Red Bulls want to claim that elusive MLS Cup, they need the American to dominate again in 2016. (Alex Brandon/AP)
Fanendo Adi: The Portland Timbers won MLS Cup, although Adi's goal-scoring exploits were not key to the team's success. The Nigerian's work rate and strength unlocks the opposing defence, which allows Darlington Nagbe and Diego Valeri to work their magic. If the Timbers want to repeat as champion, they'll need more of the same from their forward. (Rick Bowmer/AP)
Fanendo Adi: The Portland Timbers won MLS Cup, although Adi’s goal-scoring exploits were not key to the team’s success. The Nigerian’s work rate and strength unlocks the opposing defence, which allows Darlington Nagbe and Diego Valeri to work their magic. If the Timbers want to repeat as champion, they’ll need more of the same from their forward. (Rick Bowmer/AP)
Luis Robles: The 2015 goalkeeper of the year has been one of MLS' best shot-stoppers over the past few seasons. Robles was integral to the New York Red Bulls' Supporters' Shield-winning campaign. As always, the American international will be leaned on to anchor the Red Bulls' stingy defence. (Alex Brandon/AP)
Luis Robles: The 2015 goalkeeper of the year has been one of MLS’ best shot-stoppers over the past few seasons. Robles was integral to the New York Red Bulls’ Supporters’ Shield-winning campaign. As always, the American international will be leaned on to anchor the Red Bulls’ stingy defence. (Alex Brandon/AP)

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