By Staff Writer
Major League Soccer’s regular season is winding down into its final couple of rounds. With the 2016 playoffs and MLS Cup looming, we take a look at the top five trades in MLS this season.
Charlie Davies at RFK Stadium on April 23, 2016. Photo by Jose Argueta.
Charles Davies to Philadelphia Union
Charlie Davies joined the Philadelphia Union in August after scoring 10 goals and 25 starts for the New England Revolution in 2015. The former U.S. international is a proven goal scorer in MLS but having recently fought his way back from a bout with cancer, Davies has yet to find his best form in a Union jersey. But Davies, who lost his spot in the national team after a near fatal car crash back in 2009, has a habit of finding form in the postseason and could still have a say in Philly’s progression in the playoffs.
Giles Barnes of Houston Dynamo in the orange jersey goes head-to-head with New England Revolution players in Foxborough, Massachusetts on August 15, 2015.
Giles Barnes to Vancouver
Giles Barnes has yet to find the net for the Vancouver Whitecaps since joining the Canadian outfit from Houston in July. In eight appearances the English-born striker has managed just one assist and only four shots on target. But while his numbers aren’t there yet, Barnes (28) has undeniable talent as a goal scorer and could be a big part of Vancouver’s plans going forward.
Kei Kamara of New England Revolution gets some air as he heads the ball away from San Jose Earthquake players on August 24, 2016 at Avaya Stadium. Photo by David Bernal.
Kei Kamara to New England
Since being effectively ushered out the door by the Columbus Crew in May, Kei Kamara has managed six goals and two assists in 19 appearances for the New England Revolution. Unfortunately for New England, the journeyman MLS target man’s contributions are unlikely to prove enough to land a spot in the playoffs with the Revs all but eliminated from post season contention. Still, the Sierra Leone striker has settled well into the team and at 32, could feature in the Revs plans for a few seasons yet to come.
One of the most physical players in the MLS and internationally, Jermaine Jones (blue and white) gets aggressive with Juan Carlos Paredes of Ecuador during the Copa America Centenario in Seattle on June 16, 2016.
Jermaine Jones to Colorado
After his situation with New England degenerated into something that was by all accounts untenable, Colorado Rapids took a chance on Jermaine Jones, signing the combative midfielder despite him being in the midst of serving a multi-game ban at the time. It was a gamble that’s largely paid off for the Rapids, with Jones scoring three goals and providing an impactful presence in eight appearances this season before being sidelined by a knee injury last summer. The good news for Colorado fans is that with their team into the playoffs, there’s a good chance the U.S. international could return to fitness just in time for the playoffs.
Antonio Nocerino (purple and white) puts a questionable leg in to get the ball against Julian Buscher on September 24, 2016. Photo by Jose Argueta.
Nocerino to Orlando City
Antonio Nocerino actually never played for D.C. United however; the capital club acquired first right of refusal on the elegant Italian midfielder who came to MLS via AC Milan following consecutive loans to West Ham, Torino and Parma. After struggling in the season’s early stages, Nocerino (31) has nailed down a starting place with the Lions. The well-traveled Serie A veteran has also expressed a desire to finish his career with Orlando and despite City already being eliminated from playoff contention this season, he is definitely a player the club can build around for the future.
