Making a smooth transition into Major League Soccer isn't always for players who arrive from foreign lands. Sure, some stars, like Sebastian Giovinco and Didier Drogba, have made it look easy with dominant arrivals, but for many the adjustment period takes longer.
Through the first month of the new MLS season we have seen several
new faces hit the ground running, including some playing key role on the
teams that have enjoyed the most impressive starts to date. The lack of
big-name star signings this winter has meant that we haven't seen the
type of impact offensive signings we saw last year, but MLS teams did a
good job of adding some very good defensive players to the player pool
this winter.The influx of foreign talent has come at a time when the number of rookies ready to contribute right away is small. Through the first full month of the season only Chicago Fire central defender Jonathan Campbell and Philadelphia Union right back Keegan Rosenberry can be called consistent contributors, with even highly-regarded Seattle Sounders prospect Jordan Morris struggling to make his mark early on.
MLS has also seen some USL products arrive and play strong roles early on. The LA Galaxy's Daniel Steres and the Union's Ken Tribbett have made surprising jumps to MLS and have both established themselves early on as reliable center backs.
Defenders aren't the only newcomers impressing. Players such as Colorado's Shkelzen Gashi and Philadelphia's Roland Alberg and Ilsinho have shown real flashes of quality that bode well for good seasons, though they fall short of making our list of most impressive newcomers through the first full month of the new season.
Here is a look at those newcomers off to the strongest starts to 2016:
Sporting Kansas City boasts the best record in MLS, and the fewest goals allowed so far, and a key reason for both distinctions is Coelho, who has been one of the best defenders in the league since arriving this winter. Acquired on a free transfer, the former FC Porto and Sporting CP defender has provided excellent distribution out of the back, as well as steady defending to form an excellent partnership with Matt Besler.
Even with Besler's recent concussion absence, Coelho has continued his stellar work, and has been pivotal in Sporting KC posting three shutouts early on. Coelho leads all defenders in passes completed, and his game-winning goal in the season-opening victory against the Seattle Sounders helped set the tone for what is shaping up to be a good season for Sporting KC.
Though his team isn't off to the best start to the new season, Mataritta has been a clear bright spot and has quickly established himself as one of the better left backs in MLS. The Costa Rican international combines speed, fearlessness and attacking verve to give Patrick Vieira a good two-way threat.
Mataritta is no slouch defensively, ranking first among MLS defenders in recoveries, while also sitting among MLS leaders in shots, successful dribbles and tackles won by defenders. His play has earned him a starting role with the Costa Rican national team, and will keep him as a key figure in NYCFC's plans this season.
Few would have pegged Real Salt Lake to be the last remaining unbeaten team in MLS, but that is the case and one of the players most responsible for that standing is the player known simply as 'Sunny', a defensive midfielder who has helped solidify the RSL midfield.
The 27-year-old Nigerian, who arrived from Turkish club Alanyaspor, has helped give U.S. national team midfielder Kyle Beckerman some much-needed support in the RSL central midfield, and together they have helped allow attackers like Joao Plata and Juan Manuel Martinez the freedom to attack. Sunday has also contributed a goal this season.
Though he was easily the most highly criticized of the LA Galaxy's winter signings, Cole has been, arguably, the most impressive early on.
The former Arsenal and Chelsea man has been a steady defender and also a contributor to the attack, and while central defender Jelle van Damme could stake a claim to this spot on the list, we give the edge to Cole for having had fewer missteps early on than his Belgian teammate. Cole is among the league's top defenders in passes completed, crosses, recoveries per 90 minutes. Time will tell just how durable the 35-year-old will be, but so far, he's held up well.
The Chicago Fire have enjoyed a defensive renaissance under new head coach Veljko Paunovic, and Kappelhof has been one of the top reasons for the Fire's ability to limit opposing scoring chances.
The Dutch defender shook off a disappointing showing in his MLS debut, the Fire's 4-3 season-opening loss to NYCFC, and has been a versatile option for Paunovic, having been deployed as a central defender in a four-man defense and left center back in a three-man defense. The former FC Groningen defender has partnered well with rookie Jonathan Campbell in central defense, helping the Fire post shutouts in three straight matches.
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