2017 MLS Pre-Season Top 10 Attacking Midfielders
My last article was about the defensive midfielders in MLS. Today, we will be talking about the play making and goal scoring threats of the attacking midfielders. Some of these players are the most exciting in MLS history! Every single player on this top ten list will be remembered in MLS history for a very long time. A few of the guys on this list may not be playing in the typical middle of the midfielder #10 role but they still act as an attacking and play making midfielder.
10. Lee Nguyen, New England Revolution
Nguyen seems to be regressing a bit on his scoring end of his game but his play making is still very good. Nguyen played in 33 games last season where he was able to score 6 goals but pass for 10 assists. His play last year wasn't great but it was good enough for him to be arguably the best player on the Revs. I am hoping that with Kei Kamara feeling more adjusted to New England, him and Nguyen can connect more for scoring plays in 2017.
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9. Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders
Captain America has been playing in some preseason games for the Sounders and I am glad to see him back on the soccer field. Due to injury and his heart condition, Dempsey was only able to play in 17 games last season. In those games he was able to score 8 goals and 2 assists. As he's gotten older he has moved from a striker to an attacking midfielder, still capable of putting the ball in the back of the net. I am excited to see Dempsey team up with Morris and Lodiero in 2017.
8. Darlington Nagbe, Portland Timbers
Nagbe didn't impress me on the club level last season. But his January camp performance has given me some hope for him to come back strong in 2017. Last season Nagbe played in 27 games where he scored 1 goal and 5 assists. I am excited to see what a Darlington Nagbe will look like next season after a solid return to the USMNT and an offseason where the Timbers have said they will play him in his best position.
7. Kaka, Orlando City SC
Kaka improved in his 2016 season for Orlando. Last season he scored 9 goals and 10 assists, doing his best to lead an Orlando City team that was fighting for a playoff spot all season long. As another year goes by for the aging Brazilian I expect less games played from him but still with a similar impact. It's getting close to a time where the lions may need to look past Kaka but for right now the attack still needs to run through his passing. If other midfielders can make plays around him than I would expect to see a similar 9 goal and 10 assists year from Kaka.
6. Benny Feilhaber, Sporting Kansas City
Benny Feilhaber disappeared for a majority of the 2016 season. He finally began to make Feilhaber plays at the end of the year but it was sadly too late. He finished 2016 with 30 total games, 7 goals, and 13 assists. I expect to see a much better Benny in 2017, something that resembles his 2015 season (or this January camp for him). With Dom Dwyer getting some help up top, things may open up for Benny to score and pass for even more success in 2017.
5. Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers
When healthy this man can compete with almost anyone is the league. He is the main reason why Nagbe isn't the number ten for the Timbers in 2017. But when you pair Nagbe and Valeri there is some scary talent in that Timbers midfield. Valeri had his best year scoring the ball in 2016, putting away 14 goals. His assist numbers did go down a bit but I believe that was in part because nobody else could score besides him and Adi. But if we can see a healthy Valeri with a rejuvenated Nagbe, Portland are contenders once again in 2017.
4. Ignacio Piatti, Montreal Impact
Piatti has been classified as many different things in his MLS career. He has been called a forward, a winger, a midfielder, an attacking midfielder.... I view him as an attacking midfielder that plays out wide. So the star player of the Impact makes it onto this list for me and maybe a lower than some might have expected. Piatti dominated 2016 by scoring 17 goals in 32 games and also helping out with 6 assists. Piatti is super talented and one of the best players in the league. I would have him a bit higher if I didn't expect a decline this year. I can't see Piatti scoring 15+ goals in 2017, it's not a knock on him I just don't see it. I would love if he went out and proved me wrong, I'm all for Montreal this season.
3. Sacha Kljestan, New York Red Bulls
20 assists. I probably could just write that first sentence and move on but that wouldn't be fare to the readers. Kljestan has rejuvenated his career in MLS and with the USMNT, and 2016 was a major reason why. In the last two seasons Sacha has scored a total of 12 goals and 34 assists. He has been amazing and arguably the best true play maker since 2015. Though I wouldn't expect 20 assists, I would expect another great season for him in the red and white.
2.Mauro Diaz, FC Dallas
Mauro Diaz is the heart and soul to the FC Dallas team and will again be that once he rejoin the team after his injury. Last season, he played in 27 games scoring only 5 goals, however he was able to put away (close to a league high) 13 assists. He is one of my favorite midfielders to watch play in the league because he is so graceful with the ball at his feet. The 25 year old DP should recoup from his injury, come back, and torment defenses once again.
1. Nicolas Lodiero, Seattle Sounders
Lodiero was some peoples MVP last season only after 13 games. In 13 games he scored 4 goals and 8 assists. He turned the entire Sounders season around with only a few games and improved the play of everyone around him. Lodiero can score with his foot but I think he is better at setting up his teammates better. Lodiero in a full season with the Sounders can potentially challenge Giovinco for league MVP in 2017.
