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Henry and Djorkaeff
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Ten Best: Metro Frenchmen
May 25, 2016
In 2005, Youri Djorkaeff became the first Frenchman not only to play for Metro, but to play in MLS. After he opened the doors, the influx has been rather voluminous, both here and elsewhere. Heck, we now have enough for a top ten list!
10) Sebastien Le Toux, 2012
Acquired during the late season push, Le Toux came from Vancouver and never wanted to be here. The worm lover pouted, but did score on his debut... and then never again. We're still scratching our heads about Hans Backe's decision to give him a playoff start over Kenny Cooper. After the season, it was back to Philly... let him rot there.
9) Elie Ikangu, 2006-07
Remember Ikangu? Mo Johnston compared him to Claude Makelele; that wasn't exactly fair to either party. Somehow, Ikangu survived into the Bruce Arena regime, playing in a total of four games in two seasons, all off the bench. After leaving Metro, he dropped off the face of the earth.
8) Saer Sene, 2014
Another late-season acquisition, Sene actually scored a goal, against a pathetic CD FAS team in Champions League. Then, in the return leg, he proceeded to stink it up, missing a penalty kick so badly that it almost sailed out of the stadium. Never started a league game.
7) Stephane Auvray, 2011
The defensive midfielder started the trend of late-season French acquisitions. (Yes, he is from Guadeloupe, but that's an overseas department of France.) In the 2011 playoffs, Metro tied LA and was looking the better team, and then Teemu Tainio got hurt. In came Auvray, and that was the end of that. Since leaving Metro, he played in the exotic land of Brunei.
6) Ronald Zubar, 2015-
Our disdain for Zubar keeps growing, but there is no way he can drop below #6. Heck, he's even scored three goals since coming here. Now, if he can stop being hurt... and tackling with two feet... and whiffing on the ball... and being out of position...
5) Aurelien Collin, 2016-
It's only been four games, but we like what we're seeing! At the end, trading MLS's version of magic beans, a fourth round draft pick, while having Orlando picking up a large portion of Collin's salary, might prove to be one of the biggest steals in league history.
4) Damien Perrinelle, 2014-
When he came in late in 2014, not much was expected from an aspiring DJ who once proclaimed that he is not Jesus. But 2015 saw Perrinelle from a fantastic partnership with Matt Miazga that helped propel the team to its second Supporters Shield in three years. We're still recovering from his injury during the playoffs... and are looking forward to the all-French partnership with Collin. Please don't let Zubar infiltrate.
3) Peguy Luyindula, 2013-14
When he first came in, he couldn't hit the side of the barn. When it mattered, he became one of the most clutch players in team history. The three-assist game in the 2013 Supporters Shield clincher was marvelous. The three-goal performance, including two against DC, in the 2014 playoffs, was extraordinary.
2) Youri Djorkaeff, 2005-06
Djorkaeff's first season was terrific, as he ran around MLS defenders, sending clever passes and knocking in a few himself. Who can forget the acute angle winner to beat New England 5:4? As for his second season... Let's not talk about 2006, for various reasons...
1) Thierry Henry, 2010-14
The greatest, Frenchman or otherwise.
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