MLS Exports: How league and academy products are faring around the globe

<p><strong>Anatole Abang</strong><br> NY: 2015-16</p>

<p>Over in Romania, RBNY forward Anatole Bertrand-Abang has bagged three goals in 16 league games on loan with an Astra Giurgiu side that is firmly in the hunt for Europe. It may not sound like a sufficient sum, but the wandersome Cameroon international does lead the club's strike stable in scoring.</p>

<p><strong>Rafael Baca</strong><br> SJ: 2011-13</p>

<p>Former Quakes midfielder Rafael Baca has worked 109 total contests for Cruz Azul since heading south of the border on the first day of 2014. In the recently completed Apertura regular season, he helped <em>La Maquina</em> end a three-year playoff berth drought.</p>

<p><strong>Geoff Cameron</strong><br> HOU: 2008-12</p>

<p>Just back from few weeks out with a concussion, Stoke City's <a href="/players/geoff-cameron">Geoff Cameron</a> is among the most consistent top-level performers among MLS products in recent years. The defensive handyman has logged 148 Premier League starts at no less than six positions (center back, defensive midfield, right back and right midfield so far this season, if you're wondering) since making the Premier League jump in 2012.</p>

<p><strong>Fabian Castillo</strong><br> DAL: 2011-16</p>

<p>Former FC Dallas drink-stirrer Fabian Castillo has struggled since his controversial move to Trabzonspor in January of last year. He's found plenty of pitch time in Turkey, but has only three goals to show for 43 appearances. The 25-year-old winger was injured at the start of this season, but he's racked up four assists since October 25 and the streaking team is now 5-0-1 when he starts.</p>

<p><strong>Lalo Fernandez</strong><br> RSL: 2012-17</p>

<p>Having only left Rio Tinto in September, Lalo Fernandez served as the back-up netminder for Liguilla winners Tigres. Former No. 1 SuperDraft pick Omar Salagdo is also on the champs' books, but struggled with the third-flight reserve team after a disappointing loan stint in Colombia.</p>

<p><strong>Romain Gall</strong><br> CLB: 2014-15</p>

<p>Another Crew SC product, Romain Gall, just ended his first Allsvenskan campaign by helping Sundsvall pull off a great relegation escape on closing day. He started the term slow, but notched two goals and an assist in their last six games.</p>

<p><strong>Omar Gonzalez</strong><br> LA: 2009-15</p>

<p>Pachuca defender Omar Gonzalez is carrying the LA Galaxy flag as a regular starter when fit. He's celebrated Liga MX and CONCACAF Champions League crowns since joining the Tuzos two winters back. The center back will try to add a Copa MX title to his CV in next week's final.</p>

<p><strong>Moises Hernandez</strong><br> DAL: 2011-2016</p>

<p>Since leaving FC Dallas back in February, Moises Hernandez has nailed down a regular starting nod at left back for a team that missed out on the Liga Nacional Apertura title playoffs by a few goals in differential due to a closing day loss. Once a US youth international, he has notched 15 Guatemala caps since making the FIFA switch in 2015.</p>

<p><strong>Matt Miazga</strong><br> NY: 2013-15</p>

<p>The new breed of New York Red Bulls products is led by Vitesse loan defender Matt Miazga. There's no telling if he will ever get a real shot with Chelsea, but the 22-year-old has made himself at home in the Eredivisie. He helped the Gelredome crew raise their first ever major trophy with last spring's KNVB Cup triumph, and is currently on 13 straight league starts marshaling the league's sixth stingiest defense. And with six full Europa League tilts now under his belt, Miazga has reportedly drawn transfer glances from Ajax.</p>

<p><strong>Amando Moreno</strong><br> NY: 2013</p>

<p>Elsewhere, Red Bulls academy graduate Amando Moreno has yet to crack the Tijuana strike rotation, and managed only a handful of appearances with second flight loan employers Dorados during the autumn Apertura.</p>

<p><strong>Andy Najar</strong><br> DC: 2010-12</p>

<p>Once a winger for D.C. United, <a href="/players/andy-najar">Andy Najar</a> has morphed into a right back with Belgian champs Anderlecht. The Honduras ace was a line-up regular for a couple of years, but a variety of injuries have dramatically cut his playing time over this season and last. Currently on the shelf again, he's managed but two appearances so far this term.</p>

<p><strong>Shane O’Neill</strong><br> COL: 2012-15</p>

<p>Former Rapids defender Shane O’Neill seemed to turn a corner when he made 23 starts before captaining NAC Breda to Eredivisie promotion in the playoffs. Unfortunately, a summer move to league rivals Excelsior Rotterdam is not panning out yet. The 24-year-old made just one KNVB Cup appearance before going down with an injury in September.</p>

<p><strong>Tim Ream</strong><br> NY: 2010-11</p>

<p>The old Red Bulls guard features veteran defender Tim Ream, now in his third season with Championship side Fulham. His move to west London came on the heels of consecutive Bolton Player of the Year awards, and he's remained a strong ink starter with the Cottagers. Ream recently ended a brief injury layoff to help Fulham blank Birmingham 1-0, but they followed it up with a close defeat against Sunderland.</p>

<p><strong>Andy Rose</strong><br> SEA: 2012-15</p>

<p>Having arrived from Coventry City in July, former Sounders man Andy Rose is now the regular midfield handyman at Motherwell. After dropping the League Cup final to Celtic late last month, the Fir Park outfit has dropped four in a row to float adrift of the Europa League hunt.</p>

<p><strong>Oriol Rosell</strong><br> COL: 2012-14</p>

<p>Midfielder Oriol Rosell racked up 22 Sporting CP appearances, but never truly settled with the Lisbon giants after faring well at Sporting KC. On his third loan in two years, he's currently getting cozy with division battlers Portimonense, who recently went six games without a loss. Still solid defensively, the Spaniard has become a bit more adventurous with his passing.</p>

<p><strong>Aaron Schoenfeld</strong><br> CLB: 2012-15</p>

<p>On his third Israeli top flight club since leaving Columbus before the 2016 MLS season, Maccabi Tel Aviv striker Aaron Schoenfeld has already had an eventful season. He started the campaign by notching his first two Europa League goals and a couple of assists during a run that ended in the playoff round despite them remaining unbeaten throughout all four qualifying stages. Injuries have limited the 27-year-old to six sub outings in league play, but he finally looks fully fit for the first time since their near-miss UEFA adventure.</p>

<p><strong>Michael Seaton</strong><br> DC: 2013-15<br> POR: 2015-16</p>

<p>D.C. United Academy product Michael Seaton has also bounced around Israel, but in a shorter time span. Now with second-flight title contenders Maccabi Ahi Nazareth, the forward has yet to ring the bell given 338 minutes across eight outings.</p>

<p><strong>Jorge Villafana</strong><br> CHV: 2007-13<br> POR: 2014-15</p>

<p>Former Timbers left back Jorge Villafana (who actually came up with defunct Chivas USA) missed Santos Laguna's preseason prep winning the Gold Cup this past summer, and it cost him hold of the starting job, as he only managed six starts from 17 Apertura matches this fall.</p>

<p><strong>DeAndre Yedlin</strong><br> SEA: 2013-14</p>

<p>The unquestioned Emerald City jewel is starting Newcastle right back DeAndre Yedlin. The 24-year-old former hometown Sounder has upped his Premier League game since getting a first taste with Sunderland two seasons back, and now it would be nice to see him build on an uptick in assertive attacking play during November. The local Sounders product (who's averaging over eight total defensive stops per game) went the distance for the 12th time in 13 games in last weekend's slim loss at Arsenal. Unfortunately, his promoted side have dropped eight of nine to sink into the bottom three.</p>

<p><strong>Kianz Froese</strong><br> Vancouver Whitecaps Academy</p>

<p>The overseas prospect with Whitecaps lineage to watch is Kianz Froese, who has played everywhere in attack since heading to Fortuna Duesseldorf last January. The 21-year-old Canada international has chalked up 10 goals in 28 reserve outings (and two in his last five). His growth earned a first-team deal this week, so we could see him crack through to the 2.Bundesliga title chasers before long.</p>

<p><strong>Emerson Hyndman</strong><br> FC Dallas Academy</p>

<p>Coming off a bit of a breakout with loan side Rangers last term, Emerson Hyndman is back to trying to worm his way into the rotation with EPL middlers Bournemouth. The 21-year-old midfielder, who has been limited to a single EFL Cup cameo on the current campaign, has yet to make a league debut with the Cherries.</p>

<p><strong>Weston McKennie</strong><br> FC Dallas Academy</p>

<p>There are several tales to tell when it comes to FC Dallas products, and none is happier at the moment than that of Weston McKennie. He has started nine of the last 12 Bundesliga contests for a streaking second place Schalke side (currently unbeaten in 11), to decent reviews. Of course, the teen midfielder also recently marked his first US national team cap with a fine debut goal. He should tidy up a bit on the ball, but has quickly shown the potential of being a disruptive entity in the middle of the park.</p>

<p><strong>Rogelio Funes Mori</strong><br> FC Dallas Academy</p>

<p>Down in Mexico, former Sueno MLS winner Rogelio Funes Mori has been lighting it up for Liga MX title chasers Monterrey since arriving from Benfica in 2015. The forward has hit 50 times in 98 games for <em>Los Rayados</em>, including 14 on the current Apertura term. Six of those came on their way to their runner-up Liguilla finish.</p>

<p><strong>Matthew Olosunde</strong><br> New York Red Bulls Academy</p>

<p>Eighteen-year-old Manchester United prospect Matthew Olosunde has been getting regular time with reserve team since last year, mostly at his natural right back position. Red Devils skipper Antonio Valencia effectively holds down that spot, but is 32 now, giving the young American hope of a seasoning debut in the new year.</p>

<p><strong>Carlos Salcedo</strong><br> Real Salt Lake Academy</p>

<p>With Brooks Lennon now Real Salt Lake property again, Carlos Salcedo is be the club's clear current headline alum. After a solid loan season at Fiorentina, the 24-year-old Chivas defender is now performing decently on a new loan with Eintracht Frankfurt. He's now grabbed a starting role in spite of a few early Bundesliga struggles. The Mexico international has helped his temporary teammates into both the European berth fight and the German Cup quarters.</p>