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The MLS has long been seen as the most exciting club football tournament outside the European continent. With legends such as David Beckham, Kaka, Steven Gerrard and Andrea Pirlo gracing Americans with their presence, the league has gone on to reach new heights.
Household names such as former Manchester United strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney are currently plying their trade in the MLS, while lots of talented youngsters are playing in the United States with the ambition of moving to European football one day. Without further ado, let's take a look at 5 current MLS prospects who could poise European leagues with their style of football.
#5 Kellyn Acosta (Colorado Rapids)
23-year-old USA central defensive midfielder Kellyn Acosta has spent his entire footballing career with MLS club FC Dallas until his summer trade to the Colorado Rapids in exchange for Senegalese forward Dom Badji. Acosta, a Japanese descendant, had the opportunity to represent both Japan and the United States but chose the latter (his country of birth). The versatile midfielder has scored 15 goals and assisted 10 in all club competitions, but his passing accuracy and midfield possession are some of the reasons why he's one of the hottest American prospects right now. Acosta would be perfect for the mid-table and relegation candidate teams in the Premier League. Bournemouth and Huddersfield would be ideal destinations for the playmaker, as he would get the opportunity to showcase his talents on a bigger stage and make a name for himself in Europe. Burnley could be another destination as they look to have another option for the aging Jack Cork and Ashley Westwood in the center of the park. Clubs would have to wait for the winter transfer market though, as he just switched clubs this summer.
#4 David Accam (Philadelphia Union)
David Accam is a Ghanian footballer who currently plays for Philadelphia Union in the MLS. The 5'8" forward has plied his trade in both England and Sweden before making his mark in the United States, representing the likes of Ledbury Town and Helsingborg IF. Accam signed for Chicago Fire in 2015 and had an immediate impact with the club, scoring 10 goals in his first season alone. He has managed to score 34 goals and provide 15 assists in the 97 MLS games he's played so far, which earned him a transfer to the Philadelphia club for a fee of $1.2m. His tormenting of defenses and his amount of control in the final third should result in some prominent European teams to target him. Clubs like Schalke 04, who have been struggling in the Bundesliga and have seen most of their star players (Sead Kolasinac, Max Meyer, Leon Goretzka) leave for free could use a target-man like Accam. He would be an ideal backup to Yehven Konoplyanka, or could even be used as a second striker alongside Swiss sensation Breel Embolo.
#3 Josef Martínez (Atlanta United)
Josef Alexander Martínez Mencia, more commonly known as Josef Martínez, has been a professional footballer ever since debuting for Caracas in 2010. He has had stints in BSC Young Boys and Torino before deciding to play in the MLS for Atlanta United. Martínez was phenomenal in his first season for the club, scoring 19 goals in 20 appearances and getting nominated for the 2017 MLS Newcomer of the Year. His exciting brand of football is something that the Atlanta fans have quickly admired, which has made him one of their top stars. He, along with Miguel Almíron and Ezequiel Barco form a deadly trio. A very good destination for the Venezuelan would be Valencia CF. After rumors of Florentino Perez being ready to slash the cash on Rodrigo Moreno and second striker, Simeone Zaza shipped off to Torino, the club is in need of a regular goalscorer, something they can easily find in Martínez. Nuno Espirito Santo could very well hone Martínez's talents at Wolves, after transforming substitute players like Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota into starting eleven stalwarts. Wolves' Premier League campaign could really use Josef as they look to battle it out for a European spot.
#2 Miguel Almirón (Atlanta United)
Another Atalanta United footballer, Paraguayan attacking midfielder Miguel Almirón has been an important figure for the club ever since they've made a name for themselves in the MLS, with experienced campaigner and teammate Jeff Larentowicz describing him as the vital cog to this new setup. A player of Almirón's caliber is definitely set out to play in Europe's top leagues sooner or later, after displaying such skill and tenacity every time he graces the ball for the team. His 17 goals and 19 assists in 52 games tell us why he's one of the best talents to emerge from the MLS. Clubs like AS Roma and Valencia need someone like Almirón, especially since the former just lost Radja Nainggolan to rivals Inter and the latter could use another attack-minded midfielder to assist Gonçalo Guedes and Rodrigo Moreno in the opponent half. One problem that arises for both the clubs is that Atlanta values him very highly, and with the way the current transfer market is running, they could ask in excess of €45m for the player. If these clubs do go for the player, however, he would be an immensely valuable asset for them in the future.
#1 Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)
The most talked about player in the MLS for quite some time now, Sebastian Giovinco has been playing for Toronto FC since joining the club from Juventus in 2015. Over the past three years, he's established himself as one of the most vital players, winning the top goalscorer in his first season and the club's first trophies (an MLS Cup and Supporter's Shield) in 2017. In the 106 games he has played, Giovinco has scored 68 goals. His threatening dribbles towards goal and aerial ability in front of crosses are things that defenders have started to fear. European clubs like Everton, who are missing the presence of a regular goalscorer after Lukaku's departure, and Lyon, who only have Mariano Diaz as a natural first-team center forward, should be looking for Giovinco's services in order to mount a challenge for those qualification spots. Giovinco adds depth to their attack while providing clubs with goals and assists regularly. Italian clubs like Napoli and Roman would also be ideal for the homebred striker, should they pursue him. Roma could play Giovinco alongside Dzeko which would create a formidable attack on the Italian capital club.
