MLS Alumni Abroad: Update

MLS Talking Points

Back at the end of December I had a look at how former MLS players were faring abroad in a feature entitled MLS Alumni Abroad. The intention of the article was to highlight that players do leave the MLS to perform at high levels, this has been highlighted recently and covered in our very own MLS Rundown as Montreal Impact academy graduate, Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla joined Barcelona and has appeared already for the ‘B’ side once coached by Pep Guardiola.

For today’s update, we’ll take another look to see how those same players are performing, whether any have transferred or even won something.

GEOFF CAMERON

When we left Geoff Cameron, he was at Stoke City under Mark Hughes and we described him as a utility man capable of playing in just about any position. Now under former Champions League winner Paul Lambert, Cameron has unfortunately had his action curtailed by a troublesome hamstring injury. Cameron was a wanted man during the January transfer window, according to the Sentinel, Crystal Palace (twice), Newcastle United and West Ham saw bids rejected.

FREDDY ADU

There may be good news on the horizon for the former United States men’s international. A trial at Oskarshamns AIK in Sweden was a non-starter but he currently is having an extended trial with United Soccer League expansion side Las Vegas Lights FC. He featured in a preseason friendly against his former club DC United, playing minutes and notching an assist, the first assist recorded in club history, in a 4-2 defeat. Please God, let Freddy Adu get a contract with Las Vegas Lights.

JORGE VILLAFAŇA

The former reality television winner began the season in difficult circumstances having appeared for the United States men’s national team in the Gold Cup, meaning his pre-season was curtailed, as a result he was no longer first choice for Los Laguneros. I’m happy to say that he is fit and back in the good graces at Santos Laguna. The left-back has played in the last six games in succession.

CARLOS SALCEDO

Mexican international Salcedo is contracted to Guadalajara but out on loan at German club Eintracht Frankfurt. Wearing the number 13 shirt, he has made fifteen appearances thus far in the Bundesliga, which is just three behind the amount he amassed in Serie A at Fiorentina last season.

DEANDRE YEDLIN

Newcastle United’s American star is a regular for Rafa Benitez in the Toon’s first team. One of the bigger wins of the season for Newcastle was amassed with DeAndre Yedlin in the team as they defeated José Mourinho’s Manchester United in what was the Toon Army’s first win over the Red Devils since 2013. They are still part of the group of clubs with whom relegation is a danger but Newcastle should have enough quality to survive, not least in their manager.

MATT MIAZGA

Chelsea loanee Matt Miazga has had an up-and-down time of it on loan at Vitesse in Holland. Banned for accumulating one too many yellow cards, he returned on January 20th against Heerenveen to draw headlines by grabbing the manhood of an opposing player (and earning a club fine) before scoring the opener against Groningen. He has been out of action recently with flu.

TIM REAM

The last time Tim Ream’s Fulham suffered defeat was a 1 – 0 loss to Premier League Southampton in the FA Cup third round early in January. Three wins and two draws in Fulham’s last five games has seen Fulham establish themselves in fifth place, which is a play-off place. Crucially, Fulham have five points in hand over seventh place Bristol City so all looks well for the Cottegers.

WESTON MCKENNIE

Sadly for Weston, the Schalke talent has been sidelined with a small MCL rupture in his knee that was expected to keep him out for six weeks. McKennie has only just resumed running and light workouts in training, so he looks to be on target for a return in the coming weeks. Injuries are a part of a footballer’s life, so getting over this early setback and returning to full capacity will be his immediate priority.

MATTHEW OLOSUNDE

Appearing for Manchester United Under-23’s, Olosunde has shown himself to learn the lesson of Geoff Cameron by demonstrating his versatility. He has now started in four positions for United’s Under-23 side and is earning minutes on the pitch, which is the best form of development.

SEAN MORRIS

Sean was included a hat-tip to our Chief Editor Chris Darwen, who serves as CD Almunecar City’s assistant manager (really!) and general manager over in Spain. Sean played very little in the MLS but forged a career abroad in places such as New Zealand and now with the international Spanish team in the international Spanish town. Sportskeeda refer to the club as a phoenix rising and it’s hard to argue as they sealed promotion via the route of Champions from the Tercera Andaluza (Granada) División. Andrew Flint has written a fantastic article over at These Football Times on the club’s impact. They are now just five promotions away from La Liga after a 7 – 2 triumph over Motril B with Sean scoring two goals.