The United States has never been considered a football nation (unless you’re talking about gridiron football) – in fact, ask any ten Americans if they like football (soccer) and more than half will probably call it ‘boring’.
But despite the perception of football in America, Major League Soccer has made significant headway in improving club football by expanding to massive markets like New York City, Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Chicago.
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And as the 2015 season comes to a close, we look back at the players who have increased the prestige in the league reveals that there are plenty of targets that Premier League teams can try to pounce on in the next transfer window.
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Here is a look at 10 MLS stars that could be targeted by the Premier League:
10 – Adam Kwarasey, Portland Timbers
Need a goalkeeper? How about a 27-year-old stopper with 12 clean sheets in 22 matches? Kwarasey has kept the Portland Timbers in playoff contention despite scoring the 2nd fewest goals scores in the league thanks to a Top 5 scoring defence.
9 – Andrea Pirlo, NYC FC
Much like a large number of players you’ll notice on this list, Pirlo is a bit long in the tooth. But since moving to Yankee Stadium after a long career in Milan and Juventus, Pirlo has looked sharp, recording several assists and helping NYC FC inch closer to their first ever playoff appearance.
8 – Kaka, Orlando City SC
Once a Galactico under Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid, the 33-year-old Kaka has become the face of the expansion Orlando City (not to mention the highest paid player in MLS). His scoring dominance and partnership with Cyle Larin have made Orlando City SC the second-highest=attended club in the United States.
7 – Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
A flop with Manchester City, Wright-Phillips’s tenure with the Red Bulls has made him the one of the most popular players in MLS. With 27 goals in 32 matches in 2014 (.84 goals/match), Wright-Phillips won the Golden Boot and set an MLS record for goals in a season.
With Premier League experience on his resume, a low-scoring EPL club would be remiss to keep ignoring his production.
6 – Kei Kamara, Columbus Crew
A 12-year MLS veteran, Kamara has been on a tear in the United States with 21 goals. He has 40% of the scoring output the highest scoring club in Major League Soccer and has them in 2nd place on the Eastern Conf. table despite the 2nd-most goals conceded in the league.
5 – Obafemi Martins, Seattle Sounders FC
The way Newcastle United are playing offensively, they may want to give their former starlet a call and see if he can save them from relegation. Meanwhile, over in Seattle Martins has been a scoring machine, racking up 13 goals in his past 17 matches and earning Goal of the Week honours three times.
4 – Cristian Maidana, Philadelphia Union
With 14 assists this year alone, Maidana is one of the top wingers in MLS. At 28, he still has plenty of tread on his tires, but has yet to hear any overtures from a winger-hungry Premier League club.
3 – David Villa, NYC FC
Spain’s all-time leading scorer has been reborn as the forward at NYC FC. With 16 goals and eight assists, David Villa has continued his streak of seasons with double-digit goals in years where he has at least 20 appearances.
With scoring problems at Emirates Stadium, Arsenal would be crazy not to inquire about a veteran with more trophies than fingers and leadership intangibles that players like Olivier Giroud and Alexis Sanchez often lack.
2 – Cyle Larin, Orlando City SC
Arguably the fastest-rising star in MLS, Larin had a breakout performance back in July with a hat-trick against NYC FC. Since then, he has upped his goal total to 11 and has earned the high grades that made him the No. 1 pick in the MLS SuperDraft. And at age 20, his stock is only going to rise; he’s a risk worth taking in the BPL.
1 – Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
Considered a lock for the MLS Player of the Year, the former Juventus star has 19 goals and 14 assists this season for a Toronto club with best offence in the league, but a -1 goal differential. A star forward still in his prime, an assist wizard, a trophy-winning pedigree from Serie A titles, what more could you ask for?