34 WHEN HE arrived in the league, the charismatic Colombian had just won two championships in three years back in his native country and been crowned South America’s Footballer of the Year in 1993 before arriving in Tampa Bay.
In his first season, he won the MVP award though the Mutiny lost to eventual Cup champions DC United in the Eastern Conference final.
Valderrama would go on to spend eight seasons in the league, finishing his career with the Colorado Rapids in 2002.
Roberto Donadoni (New York/New Jersey MetroStars)
A part of the glorious Milan sides of Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, the right-winger took a brief hiatus from the club for the 1996 campaign and was signed by the New York/New Jersey Metrostars.
In 52 games for the franchise, he scored 6 times and registered 19 assists before returning to Milan where he won another Scudetto in 1999 and a Coppa Italia the year before.
Matthew Ashton / EMPICS Sport
Matthew Ashton / EMPICS Sport / EMPICS Sport
The diminutive goalkeeper came to prominence during the 1994 World Cup with his self-designed, technicolour jerseys a highlight of Mexico’s run to the knockout stages.
In his prime when he moved to Los Angeles, his side reached the MLS Cup final in his first season but were beaten 3-2 by DC United.
As was a regular occurrence through his career, Campos would be used in attack on occasion and the real highlight of his debut campaign was this remarkable assist against Dallas.
After one season with the Galaxy, he returned to MLS in 1998 and joined Chicago, finally getting his hands on a winner’s medal when the Fire beat DC United in the decider.
Hugo Sanchez (Dallas Burn)
Mexico’s greatest-ever footballer, who won five La Liga titles during an illustrious time with Real Madrid, arrived in Dallas well past his best at 37 years of age.
But, he still managed to score on his debut and grab a few more goals throughout the season as his side made it to the play-offs.
He’d return to play in Mexico briefly in 1997 before retiring.
The South African striker had just won the 1996 African Cup of Nations when he moved to Colorado from Cape Town.
But his debut season proved disastrous as the Rapids finished bottom of both the Western Conference and the overall table.
He managed 9 goals for the side before joining the MetroStars the following season but his career really took off in the late-1990s when impressive performances for FC Zurich led to Charlton Athletic bringing him to the Premier League.
And long before Robin van Persie, there was Bartlett. His goal against Leicester in 2001 was voted the best of the season.
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Carlos Valderrama (Tampa Bay Mutiny)
34 WHEN HE arrived in the league, the charismatic Colombian had just won two championships in three years back in his native country and been crowned South America’s Footballer of the Year in 1993 before arriving in Tampa Bay.
In his first season, he won the MVP award though the Mutiny lost to eventual Cup champions DC United in the Eastern Conference final.
Valderrama would go on to spend eight seasons in the league, finishing his career with the Colorado Rapids in 2002.
Roberto Donadoni (New York/New Jersey MetroStars)
A part of the glorious Milan sides of Arrigo Sacchi and Fabio Capello, the right-winger took a brief hiatus from the club for the 1996 campaign and was signed by the New York/New Jersey Metrostars.
In 52 games for the franchise, he scored 6 times and registered 19 assists before returning to Milan where he won another Scudetto in 1999 and a Coppa Italia the year before.
Jorge Campos (LA Galaxy)
The diminutive goalkeeper came to prominence during the 1994 World Cup with his self-designed, technicolour jerseys a highlight of Mexico’s run to the knockout stages.
In his prime when he moved to Los Angeles, his side reached the MLS Cup final in his first season but were beaten 3-2 by DC United.
As was a regular occurrence through his career, Campos would be used in attack on occasion and the real highlight of his debut campaign was this remarkable assist against Dallas.
After one season with the Galaxy, he returned to MLS in 1998 and joined Chicago, finally getting his hands on a winner’s medal when the Fire beat DC United in the decider.
Hugo Sanchez (Dallas Burn)
Mexico’s greatest-ever footballer, who won five La Liga titles during an illustrious time with Real Madrid, arrived in Dallas well past his best at 37 years of age.
But, he still managed to score on his debut and grab a few more goals throughout the season as his side made it to the play-offs.
He’d return to play in Mexico briefly in 1997 before retiring.
Shaun Bartlett (Colorado Rapids)
The South African striker had just won the 1996 African Cup of Nations when he moved to Colorado from Cape Town.
But his debut season proved disastrous as the Rapids finished bottom of both the Western Conference and the overall table.
He managed 9 goals for the side before joining the MetroStars the following season but his career really took off in the late-1990s when impressive performances for FC Zurich led to Charlton Athletic bringing him to the Premier League.
And long before Robin van Persie, there was Bartlett. His goal against Leicester in 2001 was voted the best of the season.
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Carlos Valderrama Cult Heroes Hugo Sanchez Jorge Campos Roberto Donadoni shaun bartlett