By TRAVIS CLARK
With the MLS transfer window opening recently, a lot of moves have already been made as squads look for reinforcements to boost their playoff chances. Sometimes this means taking a risk on an overseas player who may struggle to adapt to the different demands of MLS.
New signings mean new players to get acquainted to around the league, and we'll take a look at a number of new faces after the jump.
Ernst Öbster joins New York as they desperately try to save face this season. He comes over from sister club Red Bull Salzburg, and brings a decent European resume with him, having a handful of UEFA Cup qualification appearances. Hard to imagine what kind of a difference he'll bring to a club that has been awful this season. Öbster traveled with the club to Trinidad and Tobago for their CONCACAF Champions League match last night and made his debut.
The Colorado Rapids have made a couple of moves in recent days, adding Argentine forward Facundo Diz and Scottish winger Jamie Smith. Diz will look to complement Conor Casey and Omar Cummings in the attack, while Smith has been brought in to play on the wings. "Smith has been brought in predominantly as a wide player," Coach Gary Smith told the team blog. "He is versatile enough to play on both flanks as well as an attacking midfielder player." The Scotsman began his club career at Celtic, and comes over from Aberdeen FC in the SPL. He has two career international appearances. Out of favor Rapid Terry Cooke was waived to make room for Smith.
Kansas City has been lacking in the goal scoring department and they'll be hoping that the signing of Hungarian striker Zoltan Hercegfalvi alleviates their struggles. His name is certainly difficult to pronounce, so he'll simply go by "Zoltan" while in a Wizards uniform. He comes to Kansas City after a stint with Budapest Honvéd FC. It probably isn't a coincidence that Technical Director Peter Vermes is of Hungarian descent, speaks Hungarian and spent time playing in the Hungarian First Division.
An older acquisition for Toronto FC becomes like a new signing as Amadou Sanyang will now be eligible to play when he turns 18 on Saturday. The Gambian midfielder was originally signed in March but couldn't appear until he hit his 18th birthday due to league rules. He'll travel with the team to New England this weekend as they fight for their first postseason appearance.
D.C. United is another active club in the transfer market, and has already made a couple of well-publicized moves. The brought in acclaimed midfielder Danny Szetela. A more under-the-radar move was the signing of former LA Galaxy player Ely Allen. With another roster space to work with, they are looking to add some defensive depth, and have taken a look at a few trialists over the last week or two.
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What club has made the best moves so far this summer? What new acquisition will make the biggest impact? What team needs to make a move?
Share your thoughts below.