2017 MLS Pre-Season Top 10 Forwards
It's time for the last player list before we head into the 2017 season. Looking at the list of forwards in MLS has given me a headache. It is so difficult to exclude some talented players. Once I grabbed a list of ten players it was so difficult to rank them 1-10 because they are all so good. Here was my best attempt at one of the hardest articles I've had to write.
10. Gyasi Zardes, Los Angeles Galaxy
This man is only 25... let that sink in. Things began to derail for LA when he broke his foot last season. Zardes is a true striker but for a while played as a wide midfielder or winger for the Galaxy. Now that players like Keane are gone he should be able to move into a striker position. In 19 games last season he was able to score 6 goals and 5 assists (matching his 2015 totals). Zardes looked very good last season and now that he has had plenty of time off to rest, I expect a show next season with the Galaxy.
9. Fanendo Adi, Portland Timbers
Adi has received some serious European interest recently and it is deserved. Adi plays as a lone striker for the Timbers and he seems to dominate defenses by himself. Adi played in 33 of 34 games for the Timbers last season. I his 33 games he was able to score 16 goals. The man knows how to get the ball in the back of the net. He has a strong leg and at 6'4 he can head the ball home as well.
8. Jordan Morris, Seattle Sounders
Jordan Morris came into his rookie year with a ton of hype. He has lived up to his hype by scoring the most goals by an American rookie in MLS history. Morris was also able to seal up a Rookie of the Year award as well as a MLS Cup. Morris played in all 34 games for the Sounders in which he scored 12 goals and 4 assists. Morris was also one of the most important players for the Sounders in their playoff run last season. Adding a healthy Clint Dempsey to Morris may make him even better in 2017.
7. Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC
I do believe that Jozy should be much higher when looking at his talent but his downfalls hurt him a bit. Jozy Altidore is a big forward with speed. He also has the capabilities to be the best forward in MLS at any given moment. But one thing about Jozy is his inconsistency. Altidore will go on stretches where he dominates everyone but then go cold for a long period of time. In saying that, Altidore is still a top 10 forward and will help TFC dominate the East once again. Last season he scored 10 goals and 5 assists in 23 games. I expect more from him in 2017 (I'm guessing 15 goals and 7 assists).
6. Dom Dwyer, Sporting Kansas City
Dom Dwyer comes into year four of being the star man in Kansas City. He is coming off of a great year where he scored 16 goals in 33 games. Last season he had ZERO help up top and SKC tried to help him out this offseason. Maybe with some help Dwyer can reach the 20+ range in 2017.
5. Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
BWP is on a slight decline in my opinion. He will still score a great amount of goals and play well for the Red Bulls but I don't think he'll come close to 20 goals this season. BWP will still be in the top 10 for scoring in MLS but I don't think he'll challenge for the Golden Boot this season. Watch for a slight decline in the Red Bull's all time leading scoring in 2017.
4. Giovanni Dos Santos, Los Angeles Galaxy
In Dos Santos's first full season with the Galaxy he scored 14 goals and 12 assists. Towards the end of the season his play began to clash with the play of Robbie Keane. Now that Keane is gone in LA I expect Dos Santos to flourish as the main goal scorer. The Mexican superstar will be pushing for 20+ goals in 2017 and possibly a Golden Boot contender.
3. David Villa, New York City FC
David Villa has scored 41 goals since joining MLS in 2015. Last season Villa was able to score 23 goals in 33 games and finished 2nd in the Golden Boot race. I think differing from BWP, Villa will still be in contention for the Golden Boot in 2017. Villa seems to defy odds and continue to be the number one play making option for the little sister of Manchester City. I don't believe that Villa will be super competitive for the Golden Boot but I do think he'll finish top five.
2. Cyle Larin, Orlando City SC
Canadian Messi will continue to dominate MLS for his third season as a pro. I wouldn't be surprised to see Orlando City sell Larin during the Summer transfer window. Larin has scored 31 goals in 59 career MLS games and I can see that total hitting around 50 goals if he's in MLS for another full season. Everyone in MLS loves Larin and his transition as a soccer player has been one of the smoothest I've seen.
1. Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
It seems fitting that the best player in the league is finishing up the top 10 lists. Giovinco got hit with the injury bug last season as he only played in 28 games. But, in 28 games Giovinco scored 17 goals and 15 assists... he is a superstar. Giovinco has turned down offers this offseason from China just to come back and continue his play in MLS. I can't wait to see the Atomic Ant run away with the MVP and Golden Boot race in 2017.
