The MLS season is currently in full swing and many Syracuse Orange alumni are performing at a high level in the league.
There haven't been any significant changes to any player's outlook since the last update on March 19, but there's still time with over 25 regular season games remaining.
Check out how Orange alumni are currently doing in MLS and MLS Next Pro.
Alex Bono | 2012-14 | DC United (MLS) | GK
Since the last update, Bono has maintained his position as DC United's number one keeper. The team is not in the best of form, conceding nine goals in seven games, but Bono is one of the team's top performers. He had a two-all, six-save performance against St. Louis on March 23, followed by two strong performances against Montreal and Columbus. With these results, Bono will undoubtedly remain DC's starting keeper.
Miles Robinson | 2015-16 | FC Cincinnati (MLS) | CB
Since partnering with ex-Chelsea forward Matt Miazga at the back of Cinch, the American has become a key contributor in a defense that currently ranks tied for the fewest goals conceded in the league. Robinson has contributed to this development with his physicality and confidence. Two clean sheets and five goals conceded in six appearances are proof of why Robinson is a surefire starter at the club. What's more, Robinson has an excellent case to be a last-place starter for the United States at this summer's Copa America.
Kamal Miller | 2015-18 | Portland Timbers (MLS) | CB
Since my last check-in, Miller's Portland team has been in poor form, losing three of their last four games and conceding 10 goals in that span. Despite the team's issues, Miller has played every minute this season except for the one game he missed due to injury, and it's clear he's still an important player. Come rain or shine, you can expect to see Miller play in the near future as the Timbers look to right the ship.
Ryan Raposo | 2018-19 | Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) | LM/LWB
Raposo was frequently used as a rotation player in Vancouver and continues to serve in that role. Since the last update, Raposo has started one game and came off the bench in two. Interestingly, Weidman seems to be contributing the most to the team as an influential sub off the bench, with both his goal and assist in the past two games coming in cameos. Raposo played the final 28 minutes and had an assist in a 4-0 win over Canadian rival Toronto. He also scored the winning goal in the 88th minute against Kamal Miller's Timbers. With the Caps sitting atop the Western Conference, expect the former Orange to continue to be a key contributor.
DeAndre Carr 2020-21 | Toronto FC (MLS) | ST/LW
Since the last update, Kerr has appeared in every game for Toronto, once as a sub and twice as a starter. The Canadian forward's role has certainly increased in recent weeks, perhaps due to his energy and team-oriented mindset. Kerr hasn't scored yet this season, but he assisted on the opening goal in a 2-0 win over Atlanta on March 23.
Abdi Salim | 2020-22 | Orlando City (MLS / Next Pro) | CB
Salim has yet to play for an Orlando team that is currently among the worst in the league. This lack of game time meant Salim played 73 minutes for Orlando's MLS Next Pro side in a 2-0 loss against Miami. Orlando's defense continues to struggle even against senior defenders, and it looks like Salim will spend the season between the first-team bench and the Next Pro starting lineup.
Levonte Johnson | 2022 | Vancouver Whitecaps (MLS) | LW/RW
Since our last update, Johnson has shown good improvement in minutes, coming off the bench as a substitute in the last three games. Those appearances have yet to translate into goal contributions from the tricky forward, but head coach Vianni Sartini has confidence in the young Canadian on a team that currently looks capable of contending for regular season and postseason championships. That's a positive sign. . Look for Johnson to continue to grow and succeed in this role.
Buster Sjoberg | 2021-23 | Vancouver Whitecaps (Next Pro) | CB
Sjöberg did not come off the bench in his first game with the Caps in MLS Next Pro, but played the full game in the next three games. The Whitecaps' defense has been broken seven times in the last three games, but it's encouraging to see Sjöberg gaining the trust of his coaches in such a short period of time at the club. He is expected to continue as the Whitecaps' starting CB in MLS Next Pro.
Giorgio Kocevski | 2020-23 | Orlando City (MLS) | CM
Like Salim, Kocevski has struggled to break into an Orlando team that has struggled a lot this season. The Syracuse native has made one substitute appearance in MLS since our last update, but has also started playing for Orlando's MLS Next Pro team (Orlando City B). Hopefully, a few minutes in a low-risk environment will give Kocevski the foundation he needs to earn more minutes in MLS.
Gabriel Mikina | 2023 | St. Louis City (Next Pro) | CB/CDM
After starting and losing the first game against St. Louis, Mikina has played in one of the three games available since then. Mikina played as center back in this match and won the match. There's still plenty of opportunity for Mikina to shine in future games, so hopefully we'll see his role grow even more, just like he did right away against Syracuse.
Josh Bells | 2023 | Colorado Rapids (Next Pro) | CB
Belluz, ridiculously, scored two goals in his U.S. Open Cup debut on March 21, and scored one goal in his next professional debut on March 24, albeit in a loss. In both performances, Behrouz demonstrated their superiority in the air, with all three goals coming from headers. Corner kick. Since getting started with his new team, Bellouz has played in every MLS Next match for the Rapids. Expect this trend to continue as the towering defender imposes his will on this new league.
Nate Edwards | 2023 | Toronto FC (Next Pro) | RWB/RM
Due to a somewhat strange schedule, Edward's TFCII team has only played two games this season. Fortunately for the Canadian-born wideman, he played 122 of the 180 minutes available. Starting in his second game and receiving more minutes than the first, Edwards' role is expected to continue to grow as he develops in his home country.
As such, some SU alumni feel they have an easier start to the season than others, but there are still over 25 games left for the Orange to make a mark. Stay tuned for more updates on Syracuse soccer in MLS, Europe and Central New York.