The 2015 calendar year has seen an influx of international talent like never before in Major League Soccer. Since the Designated Player Rule was enacted in 2007, we have had the privilege of seeing international behemoths David Beckham, Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill, Robbie Keane, and Freddie Ljungberg all ply their trade in MLS. While the DP mechanism has also been used to entice domestic stars Clint Dempsey, Michael Bradley, and Jozy Altidore to return Stateside, the rule was implemented to attract global superstars to the fledgling league.
Without question 2015 has been the leagues most triumphant time period for luring top quality global talent. Major League Soccer provided a wonderful feature back in March about the new wave of DP’s. A few short months later we have seen even more prominent stars make their way to North America. For the first time in league history we witnessed three World Cup champions on the field at once, when Kaka and Orlando City battled David Villa, Andrea Pirlo, and NYCFC. Veterans from the English Premier League, Italian Serie A, and Spanish La Liga are all making Major League Soccer their home.
Didier Drogba, 37 (Montreal Impact)
The former Chelsea mega star is the latest to sign on the dotted line with MLS. He is big, fast, strong, and lethal inside the 18 yard box. Montreal may have finally found the missing piece they have been seeking since day one.
Resume:
1998–2002 Le Mans
2002–2003 Guingamp
2003–2004 Marseille
2004–2012 Chelsea
2012–2013 Shanghai Shenhua
2013–2014 Galatasaray
2014–2015 Chelsea
104 caps with Ivory Coast National Team from 2002-2014
Gio Dos Santos, 26 (LA Galaxy)
With all due respect to Blanco, Jorge Campos, and Luis Hernandez, Gio Dos Santos is the biggest Mexican superstar to ever sign with the league. The move is sure to grab the attention of soon to be in-town rival, LAFC.
Resume:
2006–2007 Barcelona B
2007–2008 Barcelona
2008–2012 Tottenham Hotspur
2009 Ipswich Town (loan)
2010 Galatasaray (loan)
2011 Racing Santander (loan)
2012–2013 Mallorca
2013–2015 Villarreal
90 caps with the Mexican National Team since 2007
Andrea Pirlo, 36 (New York City FC)
A cross between the Dos Equis Guy and Chuck Norris, Andrea Pirlo is an enigma. His calm cool presence on the pitch has won titles in Italy and a World Cup. His first two appearances with NYCFC were a success, imagine what he will be able to do as he acclimates to his teammates and the league.
Resume:
Brescia: 1995-98
Inter Milan: 1998-01
Loan to Reggina: Sept. 1999
Loan to Brescia: Jan. 2000
AC Milan: 2001-11
Juventus: 2011-15
115 caps with Italian National Team since 2002
2006 World Cup Winner
Steven Gerrard, 35 (LA Galaxy)
Gerrard has only dawned the kits of two other clubs his entire life- England, and Liverpool. His Galaxy debut couldn’t have went better, with a goal and a win in the history books. Is an MLS Cup Championship in store this season as well?
Resume:
1998–2015 Liverpool
114 caps with English National Team since 2000
Kaka, 33 (Orlando City SC)
Kaka holds the prestigious title of being the last player to win the FIFA World Player of the Year, that isn’t named Messi or Ronaldo. The former World Cup champion has 9 goals thus far this season and is leading the OCSC attack to prominence.
Resume:
2001–2003 São Paulo
2003–2009 Milan
2009–2013 Real Madrid
2013–2014 Milan
2014 São Paulo (loan)
89 caps with Brazilian National Team since 2002
2007 FIFA World Player of the Year
2002 World Cup Winner
David Villa, 33 (New York City FC)
You can’t win a soccer game without goals, and Villa is the Spanish National Team’s all-time leading scorer. Not too shabby of a resume. He is currently tied for second in goals this MLS season. Imagine what he will be able to do with Pirlo and Lampard feeding him the ball.
Resume:
2000–2001 Sporting Gijón B
2001–2003 Sporting Gijón
2003–2005 Zaragoza
2005–2010 Valencia
2010–2013 Barcelona
2013–2014 Atlético Madrid
2014 Melbourne City (loan)
97 caps with Spanish National Team from 2005-2014
World Cup Winner 2010
Sebastian Giovinco, 28 (Toronto FC)
Sebastian Giovinco (aka the Atomic Ant) has been the most outstanding player in MLS this season, no question about it. He leads the league in shots, shots on goal, is tied for second in goals, and fourth in assists. If he doesn’t end up winning the Landon Donovan MVP Award and MLS Newcomer of the Year awards, we may as well throw the trophies away forever. Seba is the real deal.
Resume:
2006–2015 Juventus
2007–2008 Empoli (loan)
2010–2012 Parma (loan)
21 caps with Italian National Team since 2011
Frank Lampard, 37 (New York City FC)
Lampard signed with NYCFC in July of 2014, yet he didn’t make his debut until this past weekend. Regardless, I get the feeling the wait will be worth it in the end. He is a proven winner and had a heck of a successful season with Manchester City last year. Even at 37 the guy can still play.
Resume:
1995–2001 West Ham United
1995–1996 Swansea City (loan)
2001–2014 Chelsea
2014–2015 Manchester City
106 caps with English National Team from 1999-2014
Of the recent illustrious group, who are you most excited about seeing play in MLS? What international talent would you like to see make their way in 2016?
