AMSTERDAM – In addition to parties you don't totally remember, the arrival of every New Year comes with a nice chaser for MLS teams looking to reboot for the next season: They can talk deals with players who have contracts expiring in the summer.
As always, the list of high value overseas players set to be available on a free transfer could nearly stretch across the Atlantic. After an exhaustive comb through the impending free agent rolls, we’re back with another batch of suggestions for MLS shoppers.
Be aware: Over the last six years, at least one player listed in this feature has crossed the pond and come to MLS.
And as we have already seen this week with Sporting Kansas City's re-acquisition of Honduras midfield starRoger Espinoza and the LA Galaxy’s capture of Liverpool legendSteven Gerrard, sometimes you don't need to wait six months to clinch a big prize from across the pond.
Players marked by an asterisk have either had prior negotiations with an MLS club, have been the subject of links to the league or have publicly stated a desire to play in America in the past.
Ladies and gentleman, open your checkbooks...
AT THE BACK
There is no shortage of seasoned defenders available on the market, including a few very familiar American names. If an MLS team can produce the formula to get them back to their best, Oguchi Onyewu, Jonathan Spector and Zak Whitbread are all set to run out of contract. None of the three have experienced club life in the States, and could theoretically be lured with an eye on cracking the US national team set-up.
Left back is often a trouble spot for stateside clubs, and another recognizable face, Honduras man Maynor Figueroa is a free agent-to-be running out his deal on loan to Wigan. Danish-American Simon Poulsen is still among the best athletes in the Eredivisie, running up and down the flank for Earnie Stewart's AZ Alkmaar – with Jozy Altidore and Aron Jóhannsson as former and current teammates, he should have no trouble getting a recommendation.
There is also another a pair of veterans on the continent with previous MLS contact. Center back Philippe Mexès has fought his way back into the AC Milan lineup at 32, while Eintracht Frankfurt goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand is quite eager to take the American challenge after losing his starting Bundesliga job.
MIDDLE OF THE PARK
This will actually be a lean summer for high value midfielders, and several otherwise enticing names set to go free currently carry large question marks of one kind or another.
Still, former Montreal, Philadelphia and New York City FC flirtation Alberto Aquilani (Fiorentina) is again heading out on the free agent market. Meanwhile, experienced Premier League traffic directors Mathieu Flamini (Arsenal) and Darren Fletcher (Manchester United) are now also open to temptation.
We've saved one of the best available midfielders for last: Canada international Atiba Hutchinson. Though still an ace for Turkish title chasers Beşiktaş, the 31-year-old has previously stated he would relish the chance to suit up for one of Major League Soccer's Canadian outfits.
UP TOP
The most bountiful freebie bin at the summer market contains forwards, with heaps and heaps of name brand strikers and plenty of intriguing younger attackers set to hit the free agent market.
Three veterans that are no strangers to MLS links are up for grabs. Roma poacher Marco Borriello has been sparsely used for the last 12 months, perhaps leaving a little extra spring in his step at 32. Still just 30, Shandong Luneng Brazilian wrecking ball Vágner Love has scored everywhere he's been. Now mostly confined to sub duty with surprising West Ham United, Carlton Cole brings a physical presence to the forward line.
With German clubs tightening their belts of late, those looking for a younger, more versatile model could make a run at Karlsruher's Rouwen Hennings. Currently involved in the 2.Bundesliga promotion battle royale, the consistent 27-year-old can play pretty much anywhere in attack.
If more interested in setting up their forwards, perhaps a date with Bursaspor playmaker Fernando Belluschi is in order. The former Argentina international – who can play out wide or behind the strikers – remains dangerous in a side fighting for a place in Europe.
Another wing option will be familiar to fans of Altidore, his former AZ teammate Brett Holman. The Australia attacker has been drawing fat checks in the United Arab Emirates with Al-Nasr and might be ready for a healthy rise in league class.
