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Five potential breakout MLS stars this fall

By Carson A Merk

Jul 31, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Columbus Crew forward Ola Kamara (17) looks towards the sideline against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Toronto FC won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 31, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Columbus Crew forward Ola Kamara (17) looks towards the sideline against Toronto FC at BMO Field. Toronto FC won 3-0. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 16, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew SC forward Ola Kamara (17) celebrates his goal in the second half of the match against the D.C. United at Mapfre Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 tie. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Crew SC forward Ola Kamara (17) celebrates his goal in the second half of the match against the D.C. United at Mapfre Stadium. The match ended in a 1-1 tie. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

Now that we are beyond the MLS All Star Game and summer transfer window, here are five players to keep an eye on during the second half.

Following this past week’s closing of the summer transfer window, the 2016 MLS rosters are pretty much set. We saw Alejandro Bedoya join the MLS with the Philadelphia Union, Fabian Castillo leave FC Dallas to head to Turkey, and Giles Barnes went north of the Border, traveling from Houston to Vancouver. Now that the movement is done, and it’s time to buckle down, what MLS player will join the league’s elite by season’s end?

Players set themselves up for success in the beginning of the season, but stars are born in the second half. When playoff positioning is on the line, or you’re chasing a leader in goals, the lights are brighter. The pressure can make first half heroes fizzle, but it can also vault a player onto stardom with the right performances.

Now that the second half of the season is underway, who will establish themselves as a star? What young Homegrown product will become a hometown hero? Which player got a change of scenery that will propel them to an explosive rest of 2016?

This list won’t feature names like Drogba, Howard, or Villa. This is about players who may be known now as good, but will come to become great in the autumn of 2016. Here are five players that may fit the bill for second half MLS breakout star.

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