Top Newcomers to Watch in MLS This Season
A deep dive into three exciting new signings set to make an impact in Major League Soccer this season.
With just a week until the new MLS season kicks off, a fresh wave of talent is ready to make an impact. Clubs across the league have bolstered their squads with exciting new signings, setting the stage for an action-packed campaign. High-profile arrivals like Wilfried Zaha at Charlotte FC and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting at the New York Red Bulls not only raise the league’s profile but are also expected to hit the ground running from day one.
However, beyond the marquee names, there are several under-the-radar newcomers who could prove just as influential. In this piece, we spotlight three lesser-known signings who might not have the same global reputation but have the potential to shine in MLS this season.
Let’s dive in.
Emmanuel Latte Lath - Middlesbrough to Atlanta Utd $22m
Position: Striker
Previous Club: Middlesbrough FC
Age: 24
Nationality: Ivory Coast
Closest MLS Comparison: Julian Carranza (Philadelphia Union)
Playing Style & Strengths:
Emmanuel Latte Lath is a dynamic, high-energy striker who thrives on movement and direct attacking play. His game is built on pace, agility, and off-the-ball intelligence, allowing him to make clever runs behind defensive lines. He is particularly effective in transition, using his acceleration to exploit space and stretch opposition defenses.
While not the most physically imposing striker, he compensates with his aggression, work rate, and pressing intensity, making him a valuable asset in high-pressing systems.
His xG per 90 (0.35, 72nd percentile) and shot volume (2.48, 64th percentile) highlight his ability to get into goal-scoring positions, while his shot OBV (0.09, 83rd percentile) suggests he takes high-value shots. He also excels in pressing (PAadj Pressures: 86th percentile), making him a key defensive contributor off the ball. However, he is below average in aerial wins (37th percentile) and ball carrying (D&C OBV 55th percentile), suggesting limited effectiveness in hold-up play and dribbling.
Weaknesses & Areas for Improvement:
While his movement and energy are assets, Latte Lath can be inconsistent in front of goal, sometimes lacking composure in finishing. His hold-up play and aerial ability are areas where he could improve, as he isn’t a traditional target man despite his willingness to battle defenders. Additionally, his link-up play can be erratic, which limits his effectiveness in build-up phases.
Potential in MLS:
Latte Lath could fit well in a system that prioritises counterattacks and quick transitions. His ability to press from the front and exploit defensive gaps would make him a valuable addition, particularly for teams looking to add pace and dynamism up top. If he can refine his finishing and decision-making in the final third, he has the potential to be a consistent goal threat.
Reviewing the above shot map, he is an efficient penalty-box forward who thrives on movement and positioning rather than power or aerial play. His finishing has been slightly above expected, but he largely depends on service from teammates rather than individual shot creation (xG from dribbles 0.96).
His pressing intensity, sharp movement, and finishing ability make him a natural fit for coach Deila’s high-pressing, attacking style. Keep an eye on Atlanta United lining up in a 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-3, with Latte Lath spearheading the attack right through the middle.
Anders Dreyer - Anderlecht to San Diego FC - $5m
Position: Right Winger / Attacking Midfielder
Club: Anderlecht
Age: 25
Nationality: Denmark
Closest MLS Comparison: Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
Playing Style & Strengths:
Anders Dreyer is a technically gifted, intelligent forward who excels in attacking creativity and goal-scoring. Primarily operating as an inverted right winger or attacking midfielder, he is known for his quick feet, dribbling ability, and eye for goal. His movement is sharp, and he often drifts inside from the right flank to find pockets of space where he can unleash his powerful left-footed shot.
Dreyer has a strong playmaking ability, frequently linking up with teammates through quick combinations and incisive passing. He is also a clinical finisher, with a knack for scoring from distance, making him a dual threat as both a creator and a goal-scorer. His off-the-ball movement is excellent, allowing him to find dangerous positions inside the box or create space for teammates.
His xG (0.27 per 90, 87th percentile) and shot volume (2.65 per 90, 87th percentile) highlight his strong attacking instincts, while his passing impact (Pass OBV: 100th percentile) makes him one of the league’s most influential creators. He also ranks highly in open-play xG assisted (84th percentile), demonstrating his ability to generate quality chances for teammates. However, his dribbling and ball-carrying impact (D&C OBV 35th percentile) is below average, and he struggles with turnovers (74th percentile), indicating room for improvement in ball security and one-on-one situations.
Weaknesses & Areas for Improvement:
Dreyer is technically gifted, but he’s not the quickest, which can make it tougher for him to be as effective in wide areas, especially in fast counterattacks. As the data shows, ball protection is another area where he can improve, as he can sometimes lose possession under pressure. Defensively, his work rate can be hit or miss, so he’ll likely need a structured system behind him to provide cover. And while he’s got plenty of attacking quality, he’s not much of an aerial threat, which isn’t too surprising given his smaller frame.
Potential in MLS:
San Diego FC is set to debut in MLS in 2025, and their squad-building strategy under sporting director Tyler Heaps will focus on a possession-based, attacking system. Their first-ever signing, Hirving Lozano, suggests they want dynamic, high-level attackers who can create and score. Anders Dreyer feels like the perfect piece for San Diego FC’s attack, adding a mix of creativity and goal-scoring to link up with Hirving Lozano and fellow Dane Marcus Ingvartsen in the final third.
Let's explore his creative impact for Anderlecht this season.
In this season’s Juplier Pro League (2024/2025), he has delivered 34 key passes, including 4 assists, with a high volume of passes into the box from wide and central areas. His assists primarily come from deeper positions, feeding runners inside the penalty area. The resulting shot map shows 34 shots, 6 goals, and 3.43 xG (0.10 xG/shot), indicating he generates a solid number of goal-scoring opportunities but may not always result in the highest-quality shots.
We see Dreyer thriving as an inverted right winger, cutting inside to connect with Lozano and Ingvartsen while bringing a lethal shot from distance to the attack.
Kevin Denkey - Cercle Brugge to FC Cincinnati $16.2m
Position: Striker
Club: Cercle Brugge
Age: 23
Nationality: Togo
Closest MLS Comparison: Christian Benteke (D.C. United)
Playing Style & Strengths:
Kevin Denkey is a powerful, physically dominant striker who combines strength, athleticism, and a clinical edge in front of goal. His game revolves around strong hold-up play, sharp movement inside the box, and a ruthless finishing instinct. He thrives in physical battles, using his strength and balance to shield the ball and bring teammates into play.
His xG per 90 (0.39, 80th percentile) and shot volume (3.03 per 90, 72nd percentile) highlight his strong attacking presence. He also ranks above average in aerial wins (68th percentile), making him an effective target in the box. However, his shot OBV (-0.05, 26th percentile) suggests he takes lower-value shots, impacting his efficiency. He contributes defensively with above-average pressing (PAdj Pressures 58th percentile) but struggles with ball retention (turnovers: 74th percentile).
Denkey is particularly effective inside the penalty area, where he displays good positioning and composure to finish with both feet and his head. His aerial ability makes him a constant threat on crosses and set pieces. Additionally, he has decent mobility for a striker of his build, allowing him to press defenders and make runs behind the backline when needed.
Weaknesses & Areas for Improvement:
Denkey is a natural finisher, but he’s not the sharpest when it comes to linking up play in deeper areas. His dribbling and close control can be inconsistent under pressure, which sometimes makes it harder for him to contribute in build-up play. To take his game to the next level, he’ll need to be smarter with his shot selection, looking for higher-quality chances instead of forcing lower-percentage attempts on goal.
Potential in MLS:
Denkey would fit well as a pressing forward in a two-striker system, bringing defensive intensity, aerial presence, and high shot volume. However, his passing and dribbling limitations suggest he would work best alongside a more technical or creative forward. If paired with a more technical second striker, he could be a great addition to FC Cincinnati’s attack.
Lets have a look at his defensive activity for Cercle Brugge this season.
Ahoueke Denkey's defensive activity heatmap for Cercle Brugge in the Jupiler Pro League (2024/2025) highlights his high work rate in pressing and disrupting opposition play, especially in the central zone in the attacking third.
With 323 pressures applied, Denkey is an aggressive front-line presser, particularly active in the opposition’s right half-space. His 25 fouls committed indicate a physical approach, while his 9 tackles and 22 blocked passes show a commitment to defensive contributions. However, he records only 1 challenge won and 0 interceptions, suggesting he is more of a disruptor rather than a ball-winner.
Wrapping It Up: Who Will Step Up?
As the MLS season kicks off, all eyes will be on the league’s biggest signings, but history has shown that it’s often the less-heralded arrivals who make the most game-changing impact. Emmanuel Latte Lath, Anders Dreyer, and Kevin Denkey may not be household names - yet - but they each bring elite qualities that could transform their new teams.
Whether it’s Latte Lath’s relentless pressing and goal-scoring instincts, Dreyer’s creative spark and lethal left foot, or Denkey’s physical dominance in the box, these players have the tools to thrive in MLS. If they hit the ground running, they could quickly turn into fan favorites and difference-makers for their clubs.
Now, it’s time for them to prove their worth on the pitch. Who will rise to the occasion and become the next breakout star of MLS? We’ll find out soon enough.
Let the season begin! 🚀⚽