While most of the sports media attention in March is focused on basketball, the month is a big one for soccer as well. International soccer leagues are right in the thick of their seasons right now, and the MLS has recently just started to kick off. As we count down the days before the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico, now is as good a time as ever to take a look at how some former Syracuse Orange players are doing in leagues across the world.
Alex Bono | 2012-14 | DC United (MLS) | GK
After a short stint with the New England Revolution, Bono has returned to DC United, where he played his best years, for the 2026 MLS season. Unfortunately, he does not seem in line to be the starter, as he has not gotten any minutes in the three games that DC has played this year so far. He did start in a preseason friendly for the club, where he held a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw. Time will tell what Bono will do in DC, and we will see how they plan to use him going forward, whether only in cup matches or if he gets any MLS minutes. Currently, DC United ranks sixth-worst in the MLS in save percentage, so maybe a goalkeeper change is needed at the club, although it is still early.
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Tajon Buchanan | 2017-18 | Villarreal (La Liga) | RW/LW
Buchanan has become an extremely important part of a Villarreal side that currently sits fourth in La Liga, poised for another season of Champions League action. Buchanan has been an important part of this roster, scoring six goals, good for fourth on the squad. This is his most goals in a season since his last season with New England, which got him his move to Europe. Buchanan is an extremely strong player, and it will be exciting to see how far he can go with this Villarreal team.
Nathan Opoku | 2022 | Newport County (EFL League 2) | ST
After struggling to find game time at Leicester City last season, the club has decided to send him out on loan to League 2 side Newport County, where he has started 12 matches and been a consistant squad player for them. He is tied for the teams leading scorer with five goals on the season, and has added two assists as well. He has been a bright spot in a disasterous season for Newport County which sees them currently sit 23rd in the league at risk of dropping down to the fifth tier of english soccer. It will be interesting to see what will happen after this loan period ends, and if he potentially looks for a perminant move away from Leicester.
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Miles Robinson | 2015-16 | FC Cincinnati (MLS) | CB
Robinson has continued being a high level defender for Cincinnati to start out this season, as he has started all three games so far for the club where they have only conceded two goals. As the world cup approaches, however, it is difficult to see if he will be playing for the stars and stripes this summer. ESPN currently has him ranked as the 42nd best player for the USMNT, which might not cut it for the roster at the world cup. It will be interesting to see how the selection for the tournament and the rest of the MLS season plays out.
Kamal Miller | 2015-18 | Portland Timbers (MLS) | CB
Miller has played in all three matches for the Timbers this season so far, although he only started in their recent 4-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps. Portland’s defense as a whole has been struggling, as they have given up eight goals in their first three games of the season. Further, Miller also started two friendlies for Canada and January and November, which could be a preview for the team plans for the 2026 world cup. It will be exciting to see if Miller can help turn this Timbers defense around and if he can find himself in Canada’s team plans going into the world cup.
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Deandre Kerr | 2020-21 | Toronto FC (MLS) | ST
Kerr has unfortunately not found much game time for Toronto so far this year, as he only has played in one match so far, coming on as a sub in their 1-0 win against FC Cincinnati. In that match, he had three shots, only one being on target. With this match being their most recent one, and him getting a few shots off in his 25 minutes on the field. We will see if Kerr starts being used more by Toronto as the season goes on.
Jeorgio Kocevski | 2020-23 | FC Tulsa (USL Championship) | CM
After a few short stints with MLS reserve teams, Kocevski has seemingly found a home for himself for the near future with FC Tulsa, the reigning USL Championship Western Conference champions. In their first match of the season, a 2-0 loss to Sacramento Republic, Kocevski was named a starter and played the full 90 minutes. Kocevski will make his home debut for Tulsa on the 14th, during their match against San Antonio FC. Time will tell if he is able to carve out a career for himself in the USL Championship.
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Ryan Raposo | 2018-19 | Los Angeles FC (MLS) | MF
After a successful first season in LA last year, Ryan Raposo signed a new contract that would keep him there through the 2027-28 season, with an option for the year after. Unfortunately, he has not found any game time in any of LAFC’s league games so far, however he has played a little in some of their CONCACAF Champions Cup matches. He started their recent match against Real C.D. España of the Honduran league, getting two shots on target. It is unknown if LAFC plans on using Raposo more in their league matches in the future, or if he will only be appearing in cup matches for now.
Luther Archimede | 2019-20 | New Mexico United (USL Championship) | ST
Archimede made a move from Sacramento Republic FC to New Mexico United last season, and the club has extended his contract through this year as well. While they have not kicked off yet this season, Archimede seems poised to play a big role for a New Mexico united team that is coming off a Western Conference Final loss to FC Tulsa. In that game, Archemede appeared as a substitute, and with him resigning with the club, he is clearly in their plans for the future. We will see exactly how they plan to use Archemede as their season gets underway.
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Matt Orr | 2019 | Shanghai Port FC (CSL) | ST
After a few stops around Hong Kong and China, Matt Orr has found himself playing for Shanghai Port FC, a high level team in the Chinese Super League that found themselves ending last season as league champions. He did not play in their first league match this season, however he did start for them in most recent two AFC Champions League matches which resulted in two draws. He transfered to Shanghai Port from Shenzhen Xinpengcang, where he had two goals and one assist last season. We will see if Orr can help Shanghai Port defend their championship this season.
As European leagues start winding down and MLS and USL Championship action begins, you can catch all the updates for our former Orange here at Nunes Magician.
