MLS: 5 players to look out for in MLS in 2016

With the start of each MLS season comes a bevy of new arrivals for each club, ready to make an a difference. Some have moved internally, while others are new to the shores of the United States. Regardless, we pick 5 players to keep an eye on this season in MLS.

Luciano Acosta, D.C. United

At just 21-years-old, Luciano Acosta is a talented young playmaker that was signed on loan from Boca Juniors this week. At 5ft3 what the Argentine lacks in height he more than makes up for in creativity and dynamism - two traits that were sorely lacking in the D.C. United midfield last season.

Granted permission by Boca to play in Saturday’s win over the Tampa Bay Rowdies, he instantly showed his class by setting up Fabian Espindola for DC’s only goal. Forced to trade with the New York Red Bulls for Acosta’s discovery rights, fans will be hoping he can bring an unpredictable edge to their attack.

Speaking on the 21-year-old’s arrival, GM Dave Kasper said. “We are very pleased to have acquired a top young talent on loan from Boca Juniors. Luciano is a dynamic creative midfielder who has solid experience the past two seasons in the top Argentine league, and we look forward to quickly integrating him into our group.”

Carlos Gruezo, FC Dallas

Arriving from German side Stuttgart, Gruezo is the latest young talent to be signed by FC Dallas in the hopes of becoming a star like Fabian Castillo and Mauro Diaz.

The first Ecuadorian to score in the Bundesliga, he joined the German club after impressing on trial in 2014. Already a senior international with Ecuador, the defensive midfielder was scouted by Jose Mourinho and Chelsea while at Stuttgart, with German outlet BILD claiming that Mourinho was eager to bring Gruezo to Stamford Bridge.

Blessed with an expansive range of passing, his ability to press the ball will also be of significant benefit to an FC Dallas side that managed to concede more goals than both 2nd and 4th in the Western Conference, (despite finishing 1st). Speaking on the new arrival, FC Dallas head coach Oscar Pareja said: “His versatility will give us the opportunity to play a variety of formations, but most important for me is to see a player who, despite his age, has been at the highest level of international competition and has played at different positions.”

Harry Shipp, Montreal Impact

In a moment of brutal honesty, Harry Shipp admitted to crying when he learned that the Chicago Fire had traded him to the Montreal Impact. Born in Lake Forest, Illinois, Shipp spent his childhood watching the Fire train and still has a number of mementos at his parent’s house. “Honestly it was just shocking and surprising,” Shipp told ExtraTime Radio this week, “I thought I was rejuvenated and kind of excited for the change.”

Enduring a difficult two seasons at the club, few will contest that Shipp is a technically gifted midfielder. Blessed with an impressive range of passing, it was a surprise to see the 24-year-old dealt to Montreal. “Harry will have better possibilities, or better opportunities to play soccer which is something that he always wants,” coach Veljko Paunović told reporters earlier this week.

Paunovic’s loss is Mauro Biello’s gain however. The Montreal Impact head coach is eager to play a short passing game, and when placed alongside the likes of Patrice Bernier there is a good chance that Shipp will thrive. Adding a different dimension to the Montreal midfield, this could be the year that Shipp really stamps his authority on MLS.

Brandon Vincent, Chicago Fire

Of all the young college players present at the MLS SuperDraft in January, Brandon Vincent was not one. That was because the talented defender was with the US National Team preparing for a friendly against Iceland.

Called up by Jurgen Klinsmann after injuries to Marc Pelosi and Fatai Alashe, it was certainly a surprise to the 21-year-old. “I was freaking out in my seat on the bus, trying to keep it together,” Vincent told FOX Soccer last month. “I called him back and we got to talk. He extended the invitation to me. I was so thankful. It was crazy.”

Tipped to go high in the draft, he was signed by the Chicago Fire with the fourth pick of the first round and it’s easy to see why. Confident on the ball, Vincent is a full-back that likes to get forward. Showing well during his US Men’s National Team debut, he was also named PAC 12 Defensive Player of the Year in 2014 & 2015. A player that seems ready made for the demands of MLS, expect Vincent to have a big year for Chicago and their new look team under Veljko Paunovic.

Gideon Baah, New York Red Bulls

Signed by the New York Red Bulls last week, Baah highlights the global approach being adopted by the club. Signed from Finnish side HJK Helsinki, the Ghanian’s journey through football is a unique one. The 24-year-old came to prominence after winning a Ghanian talent show, a feat which earned him a 2-week trial with Chelsea.

Eventually returning home to play for Asante Kotoko, there he served as backup to current Chelsea defender Baba Rahman. Spending four years with Kotoko, he opted to move to Finland in 2013, where he caught the eye of HJK Helsinki.

Good on the ball and physically imposing, Baah has the perfect blend of skills to be a success in MLS. Having reportedly turn down offers from Barcelona B and Lech Poznan in recent months, he could prove to be a shrewd piece of business by the Red Bulls. “I have a good belief that he will do well in every club that he goes to. There’s a lot of football in him we haven’t seen yet,” HJK CEO Aki Riihilahti told Yahoo Sport UK this week.

Follow Kristan Heneage on Twitter: @KHeneage