As Major League Soccer begins its 23rd season, here are some top story lines to follow around the league.
1. More, better and younger South American players
MLS has always been a great home for South American talent, but it hasn’t always been scouted well. This year, the tide has turned — and in a big way. More than half the league’s clubs made major player signings from South America this winter, including many of the Union’s Eastern Conference rivals. The New York Red Bulls signed Argentina’s Alejandro Romero “Kaku” Gamarra for $6.25 million, Orlando City signed Paraguay’s Josué Colman for around $3 million, and Atlanta United signed Argentina’s Ezequiel Barco for a whopping $15 million.