[NEW IN MLS: Central Midfielders] Toronto FC and Philadelphia have served notice to their Eastern Conference rivals that they will be in for a dogfight in 2014.Their signing of Michael Bradley and Maurice Edu, respectively, changes the picture dramatically. For a look at the topnew central midfielders, including a pair of Frenchmen still in their prime. …
DAVY ARNAUD (D.C. United).The former Montreal captain was one of seven new players in United’s starting lineup on Saturday for its game against Chicago. He played in a triangle in central midfield with
MICHAEL BRADLEY (Toronto FC). Bradley won’t be the only new face in the Toronto starting lineup — there could be seven or eight — but he is clearly the most important.
MAURICE EDU/VINCENT NOGUEIRA (Philadelphia). The Union has upgraded its midfield in a big way with the signing of Edu, on loan fromStoke City, and Frenchman Nogueira, from Sochaux. They should line up in front of veteran Brian Carroll in a three-man central midfield.
NICOLAS MEZQUIDA (Vancouver). Whitecaps coach Carl Robinson admitted to not having seen Mezquida and fellow Uruguayan Sebastian Fernandez in person before their acquisition. Mezquida gives the ‘Caps a natural playmaker they have been lacking, while Fernandez can play as a forward, second forward or outwide. In Sunday’s loss to Seattle, Mezquida set up Carlyle Mitchell for Vancouver’s only goal.
JEAN-BAPTISTE PIERAZZI (San Jose). The Frenchman said it was his dream since a child live inthe United States, and he got it, signing with the Quakes from relegation-bound Ajaccio, the Corsican club he captained. Unlike most of the other Frenchmen whohave come to MLS, the 28-year-old Pierazzi is still in his prime. He should lend some order to the often frenetic Quakes’ attack.
Chicago: Jeff Larentowicz (32), Alex (47).
Chivas USA: Oswaldo Minda (38), Carlos Alvarez (29), Carlo Chueca (5).
Colorado: Dillon Powers (30), *Nick LaBrocca (85), Nate Sturgis(25).
Columbus: Wil Trapp (16), Tony Tchani (44).
FC Dallas: AndrewJacobson (85), Michel (31), Mauro Diaz (10).
D.C. United: Perry Kitchen (94), Jared Jeffrey (10).
Houston:*Ricardo Clark (168), Warren Creavalle (38).
LA Galaxy: Juninho (119), Marcelo Sarvas (60).
Montreal: Felipe(62), Patrice Bernier (58).
New England: Scott Caldwell (29), Kelyn Rowe (63), Lee Nguyen (63).
New York:Dax McCarty (79), Peguy Luyindula (22).
Philadelphia: Brian Carroll (96), Michael Lahoud (31).
Portland:Diego Chara (87), Will Johnson (28), Diego Valeri (31).
Real Salt Lake: Kyle Beckerman (177), Javier Morales (155).
San Jose: Sam Cronin (109), Walter Martinez (15).
Seattle: Osvaldo Alonso (139), Clint Dempsey (9).
Sporting KC: Uri Rosell (36), Paulo Nagamura (44), Benny Feilhaber (27).
Toronto FC: Jeremy Hall (54), Jonathan Osorio (18).
In parentheses are games played with current team.
*Two separate stints at club.
Again, way to much stock in US national team players. But better, just not quite enough to change the dynamics of a conference.
Excuse me, but Michael Bradley is not the most important new Toronto player! Have you forgotten Defoe?