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We check in on SU grads about 1/3 through the MLS season
The MLS regular season is now more than 1⁄3 completed, but you best believe some former ‘Cuse players are making noise for a number of the league’s top sides.
Here is another update since our last refresher a month ago.
Let’s see how Orange alums are currently doing in the MLS and MLS Next Pro.
Bono has continued in his position as DC United’s #1 option since our last update. Playing every available minute for the club this season, Bono has had some outstanding individual performances despite United’s woeful defensive showings this year. Six saves against NYCFC and four more in a win against Seattle highlight the Syracuse native’s brilliant individual output this season. The goalkeeper is sixth in the league in saves this season and has been one of his side’s most important players. Expect him to continue as the clear starter.
Robinson has also played every available MLS minute since the last update and has been in outstanding form. His Cincinnati side currently ranks as the second-best team in the league and is on a four-game win streak. This record is in no small part thanks to Robinson, who serves as the anchor and most crucial player in what is currently the best defense in the entire MLS with ten conceded in 12 games. With these strong showings, Robinson should be in contention for awards as well as a US National Team call-up for the Copa América this Summer. He will continue as a locked-on starter for Cincinnati.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, when compared to Robinson, Kamal Miller’s Timbers have been in abysmal form since the early knockings of the season, with no wins in their last eight games. Miller played all 90 minutes in all but one of those games. In the second-to-last game, Miller was dropped from the lineup altogether, demonstrating that his position may be in jeopardy if the team’s poor showings continue. According to WhoScored, Miller has been Portland’s lowest-rated player amongst those who have logged 900 or more minutes this season. This poor form, individually and for the team, could put Miller’s starting role for Canada in jeopardy entering this summer’s Copa América. Keep an eye out to see how Miller’s role may change.
Raposo is still featuring as a key rotational piece for a Whitecaps team that sits in fourth place in the MLS Western Conference. The Canadian’s individual ability has made him a crucial rotational piece for now and into the foreseeable future for the Whitecaps. This ability was on full display with Raposo’s quality assist for the team’s only goal against the New York Red Bulls in late April. Raposo will continue to look for consistent berths in the team in attempts to solidify his starting position.
Things have not gone particularly well for Kerr since the last update as he has almost completely lost his spot in the team. Kerr has one of the worst average game rankings on the roster according to WhoScored, and has only played 17 minutes in Toronto’s last four MLS contests. If Kerr wants to maintain his spot in the MLS for the next few years, something will need to change.
Salim has continued to rotate between a reserve role with the Orlando first team and a more significant role in the MLS Next side. Unfortunately for him, Orlando City’s ongoing run of bad form has led them to continue to lean on their more veteran defenders as they attempt to get their season back on track. Salim is not doing himself any favors with his appearances in MLS Next as he has not been particularly outstanding. Salim will need to up his level if he wants to maintain a spot on the Orlando City squad going forward.
Not much has changed for Johnson since our last update. The stocky attacker, who won the National Championship with the Orange, has continued on as an infrequent substitute for a Vancouver Whitecaps team that sits fourth in the MLS Western Conference. Johnson is unlucky to be competing against many quality attackers for minutes but he has still made his presence felt when possible. Since the last update, Johnson has played 43 minutes in five MLS games. However, Johnson did play the full 90 minutes in the Canadian Championship, which features all of the best teams in Canada. Johnson showed his raw potential by scoring the ‘Caps only two goals of the day including the absolute screamer attached below. Expect Johnson to continue to earn rotational minutes as he certainly has the quality to break into the squad if the chance presents itself.
Since the last update, Sjoberg has solidified himself as a consistent contributor to the Whitecaps 2 squad. The Swede logged 90 minutes in three of the last four games. Unfortunately, all of these games ended in losses. Despite the poor results Sjoberg has had overall strong performances, only conceding three goals across these three games. With the recent results and form, Sjoberg should continue as a valuable player for the Whitecaps in MLS Next Pro.
Kocevski’s game log since the last update reads largely the same. The creative midfielder has struggled to break into the Orlando first team which plays a system that has no natural fit for him. Kocevski has been on the bench for all five of Orlando’s matches since the last update but has not played a single minute. It is still overall very promising to see this young player with the first team, so hopes can be held high surrounding Jeo.
Gabi Mikina has been putting in some quality performances for St. Louis’ MLS Next Pro side and looks set to continue contributing as a valuable asset to the team. Mikina has played 169 minutes across the team’s last three matches, and they have won all three. Mikina’s performances have been solid but not outstanding. Expect him to continue on with St. Louis’ Next Pro side for the season.
Belluz has, unfortunately, only played two minutes in Next Pro since the last update. The team has lost all three of these games, so it is somewhat surprising that he is not getting more minutes. Perhaps more might come as the team looks to right the ship and bounce back from this poor run of form. Don’t count Belluz out yet.
Edwards has been slowly evolving into a key player for TFC2 as he continues to show off the energy and motor that earned him so many supporters in Central New York. Edwards has played 334 of the 450 minutes available to him across five games since the last update, with four of those being starts. A particular skill that Edwards has showcased is his ability to draw fouls in dangerous positions on the wing. Edwards drew seven fouls across the last two games alone. With this good form, expect him to continue as a key contributor for TFC2.——————————————————————————————————————————————
Clearly, SU alums are having a wide breadth of successes and struggles on their MLS journeys. The likes of Robinson, Raposo, and Edwards are thriving in their respective roles. Meanwhile, players like Kerr, Salim, and Belluz will need to up their games if they want to keep their spots on MLS rosters. Hopefully, we will have good news to report on all of these athletes next time. Stay tuned at Nunes Magician for all updates concerning the past, present, and future of Syracuse men’s soccer.
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