The Major League Soccer season is drawing to a close with MLS Cup on Saturday. Goal looks back at the top players brought into the league in 2018
Philadelphia UnionBorek Dockal | Loaned from Henan Jianye to Philadelphia Union
Loan signings don't usually make lists like these, but leading MLS in assists makes it impossible to leave the Czech Republic international out.
Brought in on loan from Chinese club Henan Jianye, Dockal signed a designated player contract three days before the season.
The Philadelphia Union clearly saw something special in the 30-year-old, and the move proved to be one of the best of the season for any club.
His franchise record 18 assists were crucial in helping the Union earn the sixth and final playoff spot in the East, and club sporting director Ernst Tanner would love to keep his No. 10 around next season.
"If we could continue [with him], it would be our first choice, but you know how the business is," he said at a media conference in October.
Named as the club's Most Valuable Player for the season, but it seems as though he may be one and done in MLS.
AdvertisementNew York Red BullsAlejandro Romero "Kaku" Gamarra | Huracan to New York Red Bulls
Signed as the club's first ever young designated player, the former Argentina youth international quickly turned heads in MLS with his slick play for the Red Bulls.
The 23-year-old fit in well with the club's high-pressing style and notched 14 assists and six goals as New York set the MLS single-season record for points.
After a fast start to the season Kaku's assist numbers declined as the league adjusted to him, but the Paraguay international believes he was still able to create plenty of chances even as other teams became aware of his ability.
“First, I feel since I was new to the league, not many people knew me and that’s why they weren’t marking me as much and I was able to get as many assists,” he said. “But even later on when I wasn’t getting [assists], it wasn’t that I wasn’t putting in opportunities, it’s that it wasn’t getting converted.”
GettyZlatan Ibrahimovic | Manchester United to LA Galaxy
In 27 games played with just 24 starts, the big Swede put on quite a show. He started with a bang, scoring the MLS Goal of the Year with a 40-yard rocket against LAFC in his first outing and adding a classy winner in that match just for good measure.
The 37-year-old followed on with 22 goals on the year, including his spinning ninja-kick 500th career goal. The Galaxy ended up falling just short of the playoffs, but it's hard to argue that any signing had a more tangible impact on MLS in 2018 than Ibrahimovic.
Could it be one and done for Zlatan in LA? A return to Serie A with AC Milan seems to be drawing near.
But even if Ibrahimovic's time in MLS is limited to just one season, he did more than enough to make his mark on the league.
Real Salt LakeDamir Kreilach | Union Berlin to Real Salt Lake
Though not as heralded as some of the marquee signings in MLS in 2018, the Croatian made a massive impact for RSL as the club worked its way back into the playoffs.
The 29-year-old was signed using targeted allocation money, making him a cheaper option than the designated players on the list, but finished the season with a team high 15 goals, including three in three playoff outings, and second on the club with eight assists.
Kreilach proved to be a versatile weapon in a side that once again struggled to find a lead striker.
“Damir was brought in as a No. 8. I consider him more now of a top-four attacking player,” manager Mike Petke said after the club's playoff elimination.
“Is he a forward? I would assume there’s going to be times next year, whether that’s one game or 34 games. Depends on who we bring in, depends on who we’re playing, depends on how things pan out in preseason. Obviously Damir has proved himself a big part of this team, a big asset and it’s on us to fit these pieces in place.”
Whatever the case, the Croatian has proven to be a great signing for the Lakers.