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| Coastal elites: rating Major League Soccer's best attacking trios | Coastal elites: rating Major League Soccer's best attacking trios |
| (about 2 months later) | |
| Attacking talent across Major League Soccer is plentiful. The recruitment of wonderful goal scorers and goal makers kept pace with expansion, then entered another stratosphere. Most clubs have curated their attacking display with multiple stars and the best clubs have seen those individuals connect seamlessly with their teammates. So, which sides in MLS have formed the best attacking trios? | Attacking talent across Major League Soccer is plentiful. The recruitment of wonderful goal scorers and goal makers kept pace with expansion, then entered another stratosphere. Most clubs have curated their attacking display with multiple stars and the best clubs have seen those individuals connect seamlessly with their teammates. So, which sides in MLS have formed the best attacking trios? |
| The top trios below are comprised by individual greatness and placing a premium on how they combine collectively; in part by rewarding past work and part by projecting forward this season as many teams will continue to evolve, despite being more than halfway through the schedule. But before getting to the top five ... | The top trios below are comprised by individual greatness and placing a premium on how they combine collectively; in part by rewarding past work and part by projecting forward this season as many teams will continue to evolve, despite being more than halfway through the schedule. But before getting to the top five ... |
| Honorable mentions | Honorable mentions |
| Before the season, Toronto FC’s triumvirate of Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez may well have been No 1. But Altidore has been hurt and Giovinco has been downright anemic for his standards leaving Vazquez without two prime outlets for assists. If Minnesota United could clone Darwin Quintero, they’d be in business. Ditto for Vancouver Whitecaps with Alphonso Davies. Speaking of hypotheticals, Sporting Kansas City would have demanded more consideration if Felipe Gutierrez didn’t get injured amid a blistering start to life in MLS and Johnny Russell’s form hadn’t dipped between mid-April and July. Houston Dynamo has one of the strongest attacks in the league, though it’s more collective (and is much more a quartet than triple). If Portland Timbers played more expansive this season, then Diego Valeri and co would have more room to shine. | Before the season, Toronto FC’s triumvirate of Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez may well have been No 1. But Altidore has been hurt and Giovinco has been downright anemic for his standards leaving Vazquez without two prime outlets for assists. If Minnesota United could clone Darwin Quintero, they’d be in business. Ditto for Vancouver Whitecaps with Alphonso Davies. Speaking of hypotheticals, Sporting Kansas City would have demanded more consideration if Felipe Gutierrez didn’t get injured amid a blistering start to life in MLS and Johnny Russell’s form hadn’t dipped between mid-April and July. Houston Dynamo has one of the strongest attacks in the league, though it’s more collective (and is much more a quartet than triple). If Portland Timbers played more expansive this season, then Diego Valeri and co would have more room to shine. |
| Will Jesse Marsch's move to Europe stop the jokes about US coaches? | Will Jesse Marsch's move to Europe stop the jokes about US coaches? |
| Lastly: DC United’s Wayne Rooney, Yamil Asad and Paul Arriola was more difficult an omission than meets the eye. Admittedly, there’s a bit of an Olympic-sized leap of faith here. And not to overreact to a 32-minute sample size at home against Vancouver and a 3-1 loss to Atlanta on the road, but DC’s attack appears set to be transformed more than collectively assumed by the Premier League’s all-time second-leading scorer. | Lastly: DC United’s Wayne Rooney, Yamil Asad and Paul Arriola was more difficult an omission than meets the eye. Admittedly, there’s a bit of an Olympic-sized leap of faith here. And not to overreact to a 32-minute sample size at home against Vancouver and a 3-1 loss to Atlanta on the road, but DC’s attack appears set to be transformed more than collectively assumed by the Premier League’s all-time second-leading scorer. |
| Rooney’s perceived descent has been over-analyzed. Too often, we correlate a team overpaying for a player with the player himself being subpar. Contracts have no direct effect on playing ability, just perception. In an on-field sense, both of the following statements can be true: Rooney is an undeniable improvement to the team but the money spent could have been better invested on a younger star. | Rooney’s perceived descent has been over-analyzed. Too often, we correlate a team overpaying for a player with the player himself being subpar. Contracts have no direct effect on playing ability, just perception. In an on-field sense, both of the following statements can be true: Rooney is an undeniable improvement to the team but the money spent could have been better invested on a younger star. |
| 5) New York Red Bulls (Bradley Wright-Phillips, Kaku and Daniel Royer) | 5) New York Red Bulls (Bradley Wright-Phillips, Kaku and Daniel Royer) |
| Wright-Phillips has been the Red Bulls’ constant through seasons of change. He benefitted more than anyone else from Thierry Henry’s time with the club, then was left as the main man once Henry retired. Sacha Kljestan came next to be his creator-in-chief before being unceremoniously traded this offseason and replaced by Kaku. | Wright-Phillips has been the Red Bulls’ constant through seasons of change. He benefitted more than anyone else from Thierry Henry’s time with the club, then was left as the main man once Henry retired. Sacha Kljestan came next to be his creator-in-chief before being unceremoniously traded this offseason and replaced by Kaku. |
| No matter those playing with him, Wright-Phillips has produced. Implausibly, he took his game to another level in his age-33 season by refining his playmaking ability, nearing his career-high in assists this season in 16 starts thus far to go along with 13 goals. Meanwhile, Kaku has picked up right where Kljestan left off in the team, with a league-high 12 assists in 1,283 minutes. Royer hasn’t been as clinical as last season, with five goals in 1,176 minutes, but a second-half surge from the Austrian could be on the horizon. | No matter those playing with him, Wright-Phillips has produced. Implausibly, he took his game to another level in his age-33 season by refining his playmaking ability, nearing his career-high in assists this season in 16 starts thus far to go along with 13 goals. Meanwhile, Kaku has picked up right where Kljestan left off in the team, with a league-high 12 assists in 1,283 minutes. Royer hasn’t been as clinical as last season, with five goals in 1,176 minutes, but a second-half surge from the Austrian could be on the horizon. |
| If Jesse Marsch hadn’t left for RB Leipzig, the Red Bulls would have been higher than fifth. But, with new boss Chris Armas intent on dialing back his side’s pressing system, there is a (small) shadow of doubt. Royer and Kaku produce their best work in the open field, though both may well be just as devastating with more possession. | If Jesse Marsch hadn’t left for RB Leipzig, the Red Bulls would have been higher than fifth. But, with new boss Chris Armas intent on dialing back his side’s pressing system, there is a (small) shadow of doubt. Royer and Kaku produce their best work in the open field, though both may well be just as devastating with more possession. |
| 4) New York City FC (David Villa, Maxi Moralez and Jesus Medina/Ismael Tajouri-Shradi) | 4) New York City FC (David Villa, Maxi Moralez and Jesus Medina/Ismael Tajouri-Shradi) |
| NYC FC has transitioned from an over-reliance on David Villa to not skipping a beat when the Spanish legend in unavailable. Villa continues to play a one-two around Father Time as the 36-year-old has eight goals and four assists in 910 minutes. The only problem, of course, is that he’s only been available for those 910 minutes. In the entirety of NYC FC’s MLS existence, that would spell doom. But this team is different. | NYC FC has transitioned from an over-reliance on David Villa to not skipping a beat when the Spanish legend in unavailable. Villa continues to play a one-two around Father Time as the 36-year-old has eight goals and four assists in 910 minutes. The only problem, of course, is that he’s only been available for those 910 minutes. In the entirety of NYC FC’s MLS existence, that would spell doom. But this team is different. |
| From all corners of the world, Claudio Reyna and co has dragged quality to this roster. As the New York Post’s Kyle Schnitzer pointed out, the club used 14 players of 14 different nationalities in their 4-0 win over Real Salt Lake on 11 April, just the seventh time in league history such a scenario has happened. | From all corners of the world, Claudio Reyna and co has dragged quality to this roster. As the New York Post’s Kyle Schnitzer pointed out, the club used 14 players of 14 different nationalities in their 4-0 win over Real Salt Lake on 11 April, just the seventh time in league history such a scenario has happened. |
| Maxi Moralez has started every game this season and produced 7 goals and 10 assists. As for the third leg of their trio, either Tajouri-Shradi or Medina works fine. In New York, Tajouri-Shradi has already matched his goal tally (eight) at his previous club, Austria Wien, in 38 fewer appearances. Medina, meanwhile, has fully acclimated himself to life in MLS and is on track to grow into one of the next marquee stars of the league once the current crop exits for Europe or exits their prime. | Maxi Moralez has started every game this season and produced 7 goals and 10 assists. As for the third leg of their trio, either Tajouri-Shradi or Medina works fine. In New York, Tajouri-Shradi has already matched his goal tally (eight) at his previous club, Austria Wien, in 38 fewer appearances. Medina, meanwhile, has fully acclimated himself to life in MLS and is on track to grow into one of the next marquee stars of the league once the current crop exits for Europe or exits their prime. |
| 3) Los Angeles FC (Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi and Adama Diomande/Marco Urena) | 3) Los Angeles FC (Carlos Vela, Diego Rossi and Adama Diomande/Marco Urena) |
| LAFC has not reached its final form this season; the club will continue to evolve, as evident by Diomande’s use of excessive force by way of goals to firmly ensconced himself in Bob Bradley’s immediate plans, and there will be another evolution as Lee Nguyen and Andre Horta get up to speed. All of a sudden, Bradley has a selection dilemma on his hands, one that is typically foreign to expansion sides. | LAFC has not reached its final form this season; the club will continue to evolve, as evident by Diomande’s use of excessive force by way of goals to firmly ensconced himself in Bob Bradley’s immediate plans, and there will be another evolution as Lee Nguyen and Andre Horta get up to speed. All of a sudden, Bradley has a selection dilemma on his hands, one that is typically foreign to expansion sides. |
| Prior to Diomande getting his opportunity, Urena had been creating chances at MVP-like levels prior to his injury then World Cup absence. Urena has yet to score for the club in league play, while Diomande has netted an absurd nine goals in 562 minutes, though seven have been against teams below the playoff line. Regardless of who is the starting striker, this attack is in tremendous shape between Rossi and Vela. | Prior to Diomande getting his opportunity, Urena had been creating chances at MVP-like levels prior to his injury then World Cup absence. Urena has yet to score for the club in league play, while Diomande has netted an absurd nine goals in 562 minutes, though seven have been against teams below the playoff line. Regardless of who is the starting striker, this attack is in tremendous shape between Rossi and Vela. |
| Rossi has cooled off after a white-hot start to the season, but is a great complementary piece. Vela was a bonafide MVP candidate before helping lead Mexico to the knockout stages of the World Cup. His signing has been perfect both on and off the pitch; He averages a goal or assist every 99.6 minutes, which has directly translated into points, and is the face of the franchise. | Rossi has cooled off after a white-hot start to the season, but is a great complementary piece. Vela was a bonafide MVP candidate before helping lead Mexico to the knockout stages of the World Cup. His signing has been perfect both on and off the pitch; He averages a goal or assist every 99.6 minutes, which has directly translated into points, and is the face of the franchise. |
| 2) LA Galaxy (Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romain Alessandrini and Ola Kamara) | 2) LA Galaxy (Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romain Alessandrini and Ola Kamara) |
| LAFC have a better overall attack than the Galaxy but not a better trio. It’s more difficult to contain Ibrahimovic than Vela, Alessandrini is at a different stage of his career than Rossi and Kamara may well have a similar number of goals as Diamonde if he played for the other Los Angeles outfit. And, if Giovani dos Santos rediscovers top form, he jumps in for Kamara and can transform the front three to another level. | LAFC have a better overall attack than the Galaxy but not a better trio. It’s more difficult to contain Ibrahimovic than Vela, Alessandrini is at a different stage of his career than Rossi and Kamara may well have a similar number of goals as Diamonde if he played for the other Los Angeles outfit. And, if Giovani dos Santos rediscovers top form, he jumps in for Kamara and can transform the front three to another level. |
| Ibrahimovic is charismatically flamboyant. Normally, we are perturbed by in-your-face, brash confidence. But Ibrahimovic has transcended these feelings and, impossibly, has been a beloved figure at every stop amid his career travels. Perhaps it’s because his talent is undeniable and his resume unassailable. It’s been no different in MLS for the 36 year old, with 12 goals in 1,063 minutes. | Ibrahimovic is charismatically flamboyant. Normally, we are perturbed by in-your-face, brash confidence. But Ibrahimovic has transcended these feelings and, impossibly, has been a beloved figure at every stop amid his career travels. Perhaps it’s because his talent is undeniable and his resume unassailable. It’s been no different in MLS for the 36 year old, with 12 goals in 1,063 minutes. |
| Alessandrini will continue to benefit in the waves of space Ibrahimovic leaves in his wake, as the Swede’s upturn in form has coincided with the Frenchman’s own productive period (three goals, two assists in his last four games.) If Sigi Schmid can hash out an optimal formation for the players at his disposal, Kamara might have the most to gain. Despite generally playing out of position, he has contributed eight goals in 16 starts. | Alessandrini will continue to benefit in the waves of space Ibrahimovic leaves in his wake, as the Swede’s upturn in form has coincided with the Frenchman’s own productive period (three goals, two assists in his last four games.) If Sigi Schmid can hash out an optimal formation for the players at his disposal, Kamara might have the most to gain. Despite generally playing out of position, he has contributed eight goals in 16 starts. |
| 1) Atlanta United (Josef Martinez, Miguel Almiron and Ezequiel Barco) | 1) Atlanta United (Josef Martinez, Miguel Almiron and Ezequiel Barco) |
| Some are beginning to grow disillusioned by Atlanta’s season-long victory lap. Bad news: Even if you’ve seen enough, there’s little doubt you’ll see more. Despite fresh concerns of their ability to unhinge teams that dare not attempt to actually play soccer at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it’d be malpractice for any other trio than Atlanta’s to top this list. | Some are beginning to grow disillusioned by Atlanta’s season-long victory lap. Bad news: Even if you’ve seen enough, there’s little doubt you’ll see more. Despite fresh concerns of their ability to unhinge teams that dare not attempt to actually play soccer at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, it’d be malpractice for any other trio than Atlanta’s to top this list. |
| Martinez is on pace to break MLS’ single-season goal record of 27 and his current mark of 22 is superior to Seattle’s entire roster and isn’t far behind Colorado. Almiron, an MVP front runner, has eight goals and 10 assists this season and will likely break the league’s transfer record whenever he’s sold to Europe. Barco has been inconsistent thus far, as any 19-year-old adapting to a new league with the burden of a record transfer fee hanging on his every touch would be, but has shown moments of why Atlanta placed that weight upon him by spending an MLS’ transfer record $15m for his services. | Martinez is on pace to break MLS’ single-season goal record of 27 and his current mark of 22 is superior to Seattle’s entire roster and isn’t far behind Colorado. Almiron, an MVP front runner, has eight goals and 10 assists this season and will likely break the league’s transfer record whenever he’s sold to Europe. Barco has been inconsistent thus far, as any 19-year-old adapting to a new league with the burden of a record transfer fee hanging on his every touch would be, but has shown moments of why Atlanta placed that weight upon him by spending an MLS’ transfer record $15m for his services. |
| Tata Martino’s tactical ethos and choice of formation yields the trio carte blanche, with Almiron and Barco typically in free roles underneath Martinez. All three are a joy to watch and, for those who are fatigued by Atlanta praise, take solace in the fact that it’s likely that both Martinez and Almiron could be Europe-bound by season’s end. For the rest of us, we’ll continue to reject cynicism and enjoy greatness while we can. | Tata Martino’s tactical ethos and choice of formation yields the trio carte blanche, with Almiron and Barco typically in free roles underneath Martinez. All three are a joy to watch and, for those who are fatigued by Atlanta praise, take solace in the fact that it’s likely that both Martinez and Almiron could be Europe-bound by season’s end. For the rest of us, we’ll continue to reject cynicism and enjoy greatness while we can. |
| In case you were wondering ... | In case you were wondering ... |
| 23) Colorado Rapids (Edgar Castillo, Yannick Boli and Giles Barnes/Jack McBean) | 23) Colorado Rapids (Edgar Castillo, Yannick Boli and Giles Barnes/Jack McBean) |
| This season has been difficult for Rapids’ faithful. Peering over the horizon, there is an absence of the crucial lifeline of hope. Transfer windows can bridge that gap (and more), though the rumor mill isn’t churning hard in Colorado. They signed Giles Barnes, but @RapidRabbi quickly doused water on any optimism. | This season has been difficult for Rapids’ faithful. Peering over the horizon, there is an absence of the crucial lifeline of hope. Transfer windows can bridge that gap (and more), though the rumor mill isn’t churning hard in Colorado. They signed Giles Barnes, but @RapidRabbi quickly doused water on any optimism. |
| Giles Barnes stats for past 4 years-2018; Club Leon; 0 GP, 0G, 0A2017; Orlando; 34 GP, 3G, 2A2016; Vancouver; 10 GP, 2G, 1A2016; Houston; 14 GP; 4G, 2A2015; Houston; 28 GP; 7G, 3A30 yrs old, significant decline in production the past two years. #Rapids96 | Giles Barnes stats for past 4 years-2018; Club Leon; 0 GP, 0G, 0A2017; Orlando; 34 GP, 3G, 2A2016; Vancouver; 10 GP, 2G, 1A2016; Houston; 14 GP; 4G, 2A2015; Houston; 28 GP; 7G, 3A30 yrs old, significant decline in production the past two years. #Rapids96 |
| Then, Colorado reportedly traded leading scorer Dominique Badji to FC Dallas for Kellyn Acosta. Now, the club’s two top scorers this season each play elsewhere, as Joe Mason has already returned to England. The plan ostensibly seems to be that McBean, Barnes and Boli will be tasked with primary goal scoring-duties, which isn’t an inspiring set of options. | Then, Colorado reportedly traded leading scorer Dominique Badji to FC Dallas for Kellyn Acosta. Now, the club’s two top scorers this season each play elsewhere, as Joe Mason has already returned to England. The plan ostensibly seems to be that McBean, Barnes and Boli will be tasked with primary goal scoring-duties, which isn’t an inspiring set of options. |
| The (scarce) good news: Buying low on Acosta during a lost season is a smart move and Castillo can handle a share of creative duties. But the club still needs a lot of attacking help. The trio is terribly underwhelming, compounded by Anthony Hudson’s propensity to play an ultra-defensive 5-4-1. | The (scarce) good news: Buying low on Acosta during a lost season is a smart move and Castillo can handle a share of creative duties. But the club still needs a lot of attacking help. The trio is terribly underwhelming, compounded by Anthony Hudson’s propensity to play an ultra-defensive 5-4-1. |
| Dishonorable mentions | Dishonorable mentions |
| Despite scoring the league’s fewest goals by no small margin, Seattle has been given the benefit of the doubt for at least taking a swing at offensive improvement with Raul Rudiaz as well as the earned respect for Clint Dempsey. Philadelphia’s David Accam finally scored his first goal and they’ve scored about eight goals less than expected, suggesting luck has played an outsized role. | Despite scoring the league’s fewest goals by no small margin, Seattle has been given the benefit of the doubt for at least taking a swing at offensive improvement with Raul Rudiaz as well as the earned respect for Clint Dempsey. Philadelphia’s David Accam finally scored his first goal and they’ve scored about eight goals less than expected, suggesting luck has played an outsized role. |
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