The Major League Soccer (MLS) kicks off this Saturday, February 25th, with a smaller presence of Peruvians compared to last season, but with the perennial appeal of one of the leagues that exports the most players to European football.
In the last six months, three Peruvian soccer players made the leap to Europe: Marcos López moved to Feyenoord from SJ Earthquakes in a significant transfer, Alexander Callens did not renew with New York City and returned to LaLiga with Girona, and Yordy Reyna also returned to the Old Continent after signing with Torpedo Moscow in Russia.
Beyond the incentive of playing in one of the leagues most watched by Europe, the five Peruvian representatives aspire to be competitive to stay in the sights of Juan Reynoso and have a chance at the MLS title.
Raúl Ruidíaz - Seattle Sounders
The most representative Peruvian player in the MLS wants to leave behind a season marked by injuries and continue being the goalscorer that dreams of the title for his team. Last season, his numbers dropped considerably (9 goals in 18 matches) and in the current season, Ruidíaz and his team want to start strong this Sunday (8:00 PM) against the Colorado Rapids.
Pedro Gallese and Wilder Cartagena - Orlando City
The goalkeeper for the Peruvian National Team will continue to be the undisputed player under the goalposts for his team, while the midfielder aspires to have a greater role after alternating a lot in the previous season. The goal of the club and our compatriots will be to improve on previous years, where the ceiling was reaching the conference semifinals. The Lions' kick-off will be this Saturday (7:30 PM) against the New York Red Bulls.
Miguel Trauco - San Jose Earthquakes
The left-back for the Peruvian National Team, who arrived to replace Marcos López, aims to have a greater role and relevance in his team after joining his current club when last season was already ending. The goal is clearly to improve on the previous campaign (where they finished last in the Western Conference) and why not aspire to reach the playoffs.
Luis Abram - Atlanta United
The left-center back arrives in the MLS to provide his experience and quality to a team with a lot of South American talent but very weak defensively, which is why they also didn't reach the playoffs last season. His debut will be curiously this Saturday (7:30 PM) against Trauco's San Jose Earthquakes.
BONUS TRACK:
Sebastien Pineau and Daniel Crisostomo: The U-20 national team player recently signed with Austin FC II and aims to adapt to American soccer in order to subsequently have a chance in the first team. That may not necessarily happen this season. The 26-year-old Peruvian-American midfielder returns to the reigning champion LAFC in search of consolidating himself in the club after playing only a couple of matches in recent years.