Page 67 - Soccer360 Issue 105

NEW YORK CITY FC
DIAMONDS
While everyone is aware of Inter Miami’s star power, Marco D’Onofrio lists five other Designated Players to keep an eye out for in 2024.
DESIGNATED
2023 Record: 9-11-14, 41 points (Did Not Make The Playoffs)
Head Coach: Nick Cushing
Key Returning Players: FWD Talles Magno (4 goals, 3 assists), MID Santiago Rodriguez (8 assists), and MID Keaton Parks (30 starts) Key Additions: GK Tomas Romero (Toronto FC), FWD Agustin Ojeda (Racing), and Strahinja Tanasijević (Spartak Subotica)
NEW YORK RED BULLS
2023 Record: 11-13-10, 43 points (Eastern Conference Round One)
Head Coach: Sandro Schwarz
Key Returning Players: MID Daniel Edelman (22 starts), DEF John Tolkin (27 starts), and DEF Kyle Duncan (38 tackles)
Key Additions: MID Emil Forsberg (Red Bull Leipzig), DEF Noah Elle (Malmo), and FWD Roald Mitchell (New York Red Bulls II)
Key Departures: MID Omir Fernandez (Colorado Rapids), FWD Tom Barlow (Chicago Fire), and FWD Luqhinas (Fortaleza)
ORLANDO CITY SC
2023 Record: 18-7-9, 63 points (Eastern Conference Semifinalist)
Head Coach: Oscar Pareja
Key Returning Players: MID Facundo Torres (18 goals), GK Pedro Gallese (10 clean sheets), and MID Wilder Cabrera (88% accurate pass percentage)
Key Additions: FWD Ivan Angulo (Palmeiras) and FWD Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders FC)
Key Departures: DEF Antonio Carlos (Fluminense) and FWD Dominic McGuire (Loan-Blackburn)
DENIS BOUANGA - LOS ANGELES FC
The 2023 MLS Golden Boot winner has been a dream signing for Los Angeles FC. He arrived from French club Saint- Étienne in August 2022 and made an immediate impact. He helped the club win an MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield in 2022 and was one of the best players in the league in 2023. Expect another big campaign from the French winger.
EMIL FORSBERG - NEW YORK RED BULLS
The Swedish international midfielder joined the New York Red Bulls this off-season from Red Bull Leipzig as a Designated Player. Forsberg spent the last nine and a half seasons in Germany with Leipzig and will be a welcomed addition to Sandro Schwartz’s side.
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