MLS: Three players to watch this season

With the MLS campaign underway, we take a look at three players to keep an eye on in 2023.

1. Jack McGlynn - Philadelphia Union

McGlynn has represented the USA at U16 and U20 level but is eligible to play for the Republic of Ireland. The talented youngster could even go to the U20 World Cup with the US in May and June.

Last season, in 1,364 minutes with the Union, he scored one goal and provided three assists from midfield.

At 19, McGlynn has already played over 50 games with the Union’s first team in all competitions, learning his trade between the regular season, playoffs, US Open Cup, and the Concacaf Champions League.

His contract with Philadelphia runs until 31 December 2025 and he is set for a big season in MLS.

2. Brenner - FC Cincinnati

Brenner has scored one goal in three games in the current MLS campaign.

The 23-year-old made a massive impact in 2022; his 18 goals and six assists were vital to Cincinnati’s season, where he linked up well with US player Brandon Vazquez.

So great was Brenner’s impact, Premier League side Nottingham Forest came calling. Forest reportedly made an offer for the attacker, but Cincinnati rejected the offer and he has remained at the club.

Brenner, who has also represented Brazil at underage level, will likely remain a target for clubs in Europe, especially if he can continue scoring for Cincinnati.

3. Thiago Almada - Atlanta United FC

Almada joined Atlanta United at the beginning of 2022 after leaving Vélez Sarsfield in Argentina at the end of 2021.

The 21-year-old lit up MLS last season by scoring six goals and assisting seven for Atlanta. In the 2023 campaign, he already has two goals and two assists in the opening three games from his attacking midfield role.

He was one of the surprises in Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina World Cup squad. Almada was trusted with a place alongside Messi and Co but played just five minutes in Qatar as his country went on to win the tournament.