Its been a long layoff, but we’re back!
It’s been a few months, but with the MLS season close to wrapping up, today we will be checking in on Syracuse men’s soccer alums in Europe, MLS, and MLS Next Pro to see how your favorite former Orangemen have performed over the last few months.
Alex Bono | 2012-14 | DC United (MLS) | GK
In our last report, Bono had seen an extended period of time where he was dropped to the bench. Luckily for the former Orangeman, he regained his spot as DC United’s locked-on option in net. Despite earning his spot back, the team has still struggled mightily on the defensive end and clocks in as one of the three worst defenses in the league. Bono’s spot could be in jeopardy over the summer as these poor defensive showings may give the club a reason to look for an upgrade in defense or in net.
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
Miles Robinson | 2015-16 | FC Cincinnati (MLS) | CB
Since returning from his periods with the USMNT at the Copá America and Olympics, Robinson and Cinci have both really struggled for form. Since the end of the break, the club has a record of 3-4-1 and has conceded nearly two goals per game. This is a far cry from the early throes of the season, where Robinson was at the heart of a defense that was by far the best in the league. Being established as one of the best players in his position in the MLS, Robinson’s spot will not come under scrutiny, but this poor run of form may hurt him in his goal to move to a European club.
Cincinnati faces NYCFC in the MLS First Round.
Kareem Elgazzar-Imagn Images
Tajon Buchanan | 2017-18 | Inter Milan (Serie A) | RM
After breaking his leg in training at the Copá America with Canada, Buchanan has yet to lace up his boots competitively this season. Hopefully, Buchanan will come back and return to full health. According to a report from Yahoo Sports, the winger is nearing a return to training.
Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Kamal Miller | 2015-18 | Portland Timbers (MLS) | CB
Conversely to Robinson’s fortunes, Kamal Miller and the Timbers have been much improved on the defensive end since the Canadian International returned from duty at the Copá America. In the last eight MLS matches, the Timbers are 2-3-3. This run has seen them just edge into a playoff spot, with Miller playing a crucial role. The team has conceded nine times in this eight-game stretch, which is much better than the 46 they conceded in the first 26 games. With a weak defensive and goalkeeping unit around him, expect Portland to build the defense around Miller in the coming offseason.
Portland squares off against Vancouver in the Wildcard game.
Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images
Ryan Raposo | 2018-19 | Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) | LM/LWB
The last update saw things end on a high note for Raposo. Since then, the winger has maintained his extended run in the team yet has seen his role slightly reduced. The winger has not contributed to a goal or assist since the last update but still features due to his on-ball skill and tenacity out of possession. While Raposo looks set to continue on as a squad player next season, he will have to step up his performances if he wants to lock in a starting spot.
Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
Deandre Kerr | 2020-21 | Toronto FC (MLS) | ST
Kerr’s role at TFC has increased significantly in the last few months, but the team’s results have been very poor. Since our last update, Toronto is 2-6-1 in all competitions. Kerr has started six of these games, appeared in all eight, and provided two goals and one assist over this span. This run may have helped Kerr from a personal standpoint, but Toronto may also look for a new striker in the offseason to further strengthen its attack. Kerr will need to improve his output if he wants to lock in a spot with the club.
Levonte Johnson | 2022 | Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) | LW/RW
Still very much a rotational piece for the ‘Caps, Johnson has not contributed to any goals since the last update. The club is in a wretched run of form which also hasn’t helped the winger’s output. Although Johnson has made a few starts and cameo appearances as a sub, he still sits in the wings doing nothing for around half of the team’s matches. A move for Johnson may be the best way forward, as the Whitecaps’ current tactical system does not offer him a role or opportunity that best suits his skillset.
Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
Nathaniel Opoku | 2022 | Leicester City (Premier League) | ST
Unfortunately, the star man of SU’s 2022 National Championship run is still suffering from the injury bug. Having suffered a leg fracture near the end of his stint with OH Leuven in the Belgian top division, the Ghanaian is now back at his parent club, Leicester City. Opoku is still recovering from his injury and has begun to practice with the Premier League club’s U-21 side in preparation for his return. It is unclear if Opoku will ever suit up for Leicester or if he will be sent back out on loan again.
Photo by Tomas Sisk / Photo News via Getty Images
Buster Sjoberg | 2021-23 | Vancouver Whitecaps (Next Pro) | CB
Similarly to our last update, Sjoberg is now clearly established as one of the building blocks of the Whitecaps’ Next Pro side. The Swede has started all of the last seven matches for the Caps, playing all but five minutes in these matches. The team has also been defensively outstanding over this period despite some bad losses, including a few 1-0s and a few 1-1s. If he can keep these performances up, expect the former SU captain to move up a level in the near future.
Anne-Marie Sorvin-Imagn Images
Jeo Kocevski | 2020-23 | Orlando City (MLS and Next Pro) | CM
This last chunk of the season has been the most fruitful of Kocevski’s professional career so far. The midfield maestro has been earning consistent minutes with the Next Pro side, earning his first two professional assists. The Syracuse local has not featured too much for the MLS side, but did earn his first career MLS start on September 21 in a 4-3 loss to Columbus. Although it looks like Jeo has a spot on the roster, he will need to battle to earn more minutes in the MLS next season.
Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images
Gabriel Mikina | 2023 | St. Louis City (Next Pro) | CB/CDM
Like Sjoberg, Mikina is now a well-established contributor to St Louis’ Next Pro side. Mikina has played literally every available minute since the last update, including featuring in some resounding (5-0, 4-0, 3-0) results in his team’s favor. Although the SLC defense is not quite as tight as Sjoberg’s Cap’s defense, Mikina is giving himself a great platform to make the jump to the next level. It may still be a year or two before this happens but expect the tough-tackling defender to keep making progress.
Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/Getty Images
Josh Belluz | 2023 | Colorado Rapids (Next Pro) | CB
Belluz has seen a downtick in his minutes in the last month. In June, July, and August, the towering defender played almost every minute available to him. Unfortunately, many of these matches also saw the Rapids concede two or more goals. Belluz has not started any of the last four games, including playing zero minutes in the most recent clash against Columbus. It appears that if Belluz wants to earn his role back, he will need to up his game.
Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nate Edwards | 2023 | Toronto FC (MLS) | RM/RWB
As we reported last month, Edwards has had the greatest upward trajectory of all players on this list since our last update. The hard-working Canadian has seen his great efforts in MLS Next rewarded with a full contract with Toronto FC. The winger has yet to appear in an MLS match and will likely have to wait until earlier low-stakes games next season to break through. Until then, Edwards has kept balling out on the Next Pro stage.
Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images
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As the MLS postseason begins and Opoku and Buchanan return from injury, stay tuned for all updates relating to Syracuse Men’s Soccer at Nunes Magician.