Juan Pablo Angel’s time in MLS wrapped up in Los Angeles, first for the LA Galaxy and then for Chivas USA, but his most prolific days were spent with the New York Red Bulls. In fact, it all began on this date – April 17 – back in 2007 when the Colombian striker joined from Premier League side Aston Villa on a free transfer.
Angel would go on to score 72 goals and dish out 15 assists across 152 MLS games, showing why he received the Designated Player stamp. Angel’s impact was immediate, too, as his 2007 campaign saw him named a finalist for MVP/Newcomer of the Year, voted to the MLS Best XI and named an MLS All-Star.
His signing came during the nascent days of the DP era in MLS, too, back when David Beckham was on the Galaxy and Cuauhtemoc Blanco starred for the Chicago Fire. They were some of the sure-hits, while Denilson showed the other end of the DP spectrum in FC Dallas.
Angel reached double-digit goals during his first five years in MLS, before ultimately fizzling out in 2012 at Chivas USA and returning home to play for Atletico Nacional. The highlight was undoubtedly 2007, when Angel scored 19 goals and registered five assists. His stellar play was only topped by D.C. United striker Luciano Emilio, who took home MVP honors that year after arriving from Honduran club Olimpia.
The sustained production Angel enjoyed also occurred during a lower-scoring MLS era. His 19 goals would have been fourth in last year’s Golden Boot chase and tied for third in 2018. Those spots aren’t bad, of course, but the leaders both surpassed 30 goals, a reflection of the DP era and spending Angel helped to usher in.
