Fansided

10 potential breakout players for the 2018 MLS season

By Harrison Hamm

FRISCO, TX - JUNE 27: FC Dallas defender Reggie Cannon (22) looks to pass the ball during the game between FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids on June 27, 2017, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
FRISCO, TX - JUNE 27: FC Dallas defender Reggie Cannon (22) looks to pass the ball during the game between FC Dallas and Colorado Rapids on June 27, 2017, at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, TX. (Photo by George Walker/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 10
Next
MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 27: Ball floating in the air in front of New York City FC forward Khiry Shelton (19) during the New York City FC versus the Montreal Impact game on September 27, 2017, at Stade Saputo in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 27: Ball floating in the air in front of New York City FC forward Khiry Shelton (19) during the New York City FC versus the Montreal Impact game on September 27, 2017, at Stade Saputo in Montreal, QC (Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

7. Khiry Shelton, Sporting KC

Shelton, selected No. 2 overall in 2015 by NYCFC, has been touted as a potential breakout player for a while now. He’s a livewire attacking talent, capable of scoring goals from the wing, taking defenders on one-on-one and putting the ball in the box. In 54 career appearances (just 23 starts), he has six goals and 10 assists, a solid return for a player that has mainly been used as a substitute.

He spent three seasons in New York, many of which seemed to be spent in the doghouse of Patrick Vieira, and was finally swapped for Sporting KC right-back Saad Abdul-Salaam in December. SKC have needed goal-producing wingers since Krisztian Nemeth left after 2015, so Shelton makes sense. He fits the mold of the wingers Sporting have had in the past couple of years.

With Latif Blessing gone to LA, Shelton should have a day one starting spot on one wing, likely opposite Gerso Fernandes. Diego Rubio will start up top, and given his somewhat pedestrian career history, SKC will rely heavily on the rest of the attack to create for Rubio and put the ball in the net. It’s the opportunity the much-maligned Shelton has been waiting for.

Home/MLS