Lee Nguyen burst (back) into the North American soccer consciousness last year, slicing and dicing opposing defenses and pacing the New England Revolution to the MLS Cup final en route to third place in the MLS MVP race and a US national team call-up.
Nguyen's 18 goals and five assists, capped by another two strikes and three helpers in the postseason, turned heads around the country and reminded everyone that attacking creativity need not always be imported. But for veteran MLS watchers, none of it was a great surprise, per se – the Texan had been dropping hints of a breakout since his return from abroad in 2012.
So who'll be the next rising star to grab us by the collective lapels? Here's a few contenders for 2015.
5)
Wil Trapp
Columbus Crew SC were one of last season's most interesting stories, as coach Gregg Berhalter led a tactical renaissance to match new owner Anthony Precourt's off-field overhaul of the club and their brand. At the heart of it all was Trapp, the quiet, undersized, unassuming Homegrown Player who set the tempo at the base of midfield. His cultured passing and advanced positional sense belied his tender age – and drew the eye of USMNT boss Jurgen Klinsmann. Will 2015 be the year Trapp goes mainstream?
4) Luis Silva
While you may have forgotten about Silva since Toronto FC made him the No. 4 overall pick in the 2012 SuperDraft, his talent is still clear to see, and he's progressed promisingly despite a frustrating string of soft-tissue issues (mainly hamstring troubles). Last year the clever attacker netted 11 goals – including his first career hat trick – to spearhead a resurgent D.C. United squad before injuries hampered him down the stretch. At age 26, with plenty of complementary parts around him, he's primed to make the next step.
Italian legend Gianluca Vialli once theorized that right backs are always the weakest players on a team, because if they had outstanding skills or attributes, they'd already have been moved elsewhere on the field. Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin seems to agree, because a key to his team's resurgence last year was moving Wenger – an extremely versatile player in need of a permanent spot at the pro level – to the left wing. Athletic and intelligent,
Wenger is perfect for this hybrid “target winger” role
, and he might just become a star by eating opposing right backs for lunch this season.
2) Kekuta Manneh
Some MLS anoraks call the Vancouver Whitecaps “the greatest show on turf,” and the Gambian-born winger/striker is a big reason. Vancouver like to run and gun, and Manneh – skillful, aggressive, lightning-quick – can exploit defenders one-on-one like few in the league.
Matt Doyle has already challenged the 20-year-old to become a truly dominant player
in his third year as a pro, and it's a reasonable request. If he fulfills it, we'll look silly for only placing him at No. 2 on this list.
1) Mauro Díaz
Another impact player sidetracked by injury woes, FC Dallas' playmaker is that rarest of commodities: A classic South American No. 10 who can handle the diverse demands of the modern midfield. FCD coach Oscar Pareja has surrounded Díaz, who made his debut at River Plate at age 17, with a diverse arsenal of wingers and strikers for 2015. With some pundits pegging the North Texans as dark-horse title challengers in a fierce Western Conference, can the Argentine step up and lead his team to the next level?
Who will be 2015's breakout MLS star? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
