After a long wait, soccer is finally back. The offseason has officially ended, many european leagues are right in the thick of their seasons, and the MLS Playoffs are coming right around the corner, making
now as good a time as ever to see how our Syracuse Orange alumni are doing in professional leagues accross the world.
Alex Bono | 2012-14 | New England Revolution (MLS) | GK
Unfortunately, Bono has been unable to get any playing time in New England since our last update in May. The team itself has not been doing much better, as they are currently placed 11th in the MLS Eastern Conference and have missed out on a playoff birth. His chances at playing time have recently gotten more bleak, however, as New England received USMNT and former Revolution player Matt Turner on loan from Lyon. It seems unclear at this time if Bono will be leaving New England any time soon, but even if this is where his career in the top flight comes to a close, he’s certainly carved out a name for himself in MLS and Syracuse soccer history.
Tajon Buchanan | 2017-18 | Villarreal | RW/LW
Tajon Buchanan has seemed to find a role for himself over in Spain after coming back from injury, as he already has four goals on the La Liga season and has played well for a Villarreal side that has shocked some people in the league. He’s kept up his form for Canada as well, as he has also helped them get some crucial wins during the international break. It’s also worth noting that, partly due to his work for the team last year, Buchanan had gotten the opportunity to play in the UEFA Champions League, where he started in both the team’s matches so far, including a 2-2 draw with Italian giants Juventus. Tajon seems to have carved an important role for himself out in Spain, and it will be exciting to see where he is able to go from here.
Miles Robinson | 2015-16 | FC Cincinnati (MLS) | CB
Robinson has continued to be one of the centerpieces of both Cincinnati and the USMNT’s defense. For Cincy, Miles Robinson has started all 26 games he’s played, the majority of the matches that the team has played in general. He also ranks third on the team in aerial duels with 87 and second on the team in clearances with 31. This comes from a Cincinnati side that currently is second in the MLS Eastern Conference, ahead of clubs such as Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami. Robinson signed an extension through the 2027 season with an option for 2028. Miles also recently appeared for the USMNT, as he started against Ecuador and Austrailia, helping the US get a draw and a win respectively.
Kamal Miller | 2015-18 | Portland Timbers (MLS) | CB
Miller has been an extremely important asset on a Timbers team that has been floating around mid-table in the MLS Western Conference. He is currently ranked third on the team in clearances and has been a consistent player for the club this season. He even earned goal of the week honors for a strike he had against Vancouver. This impressive play has not gone unnoticed, as he was recently called up by the Canadian men’s national team once again, and he now sits on 49 international caps for the Canadians. It will be exciting to see how Miller does as the Timbers fight for an MLS playoff spot.
Deandre Kerr | 2020-21 | Toronto FC (MLS) | ST
Kerr has been able to come back from his early-season injury and has been able to carve out a role for himself on this Toronto team. He has four goals on the season and has played in 20 of Toronto’s games. Unfortunately, it seems like this is where his season will end, as Toronto FC sits 12th in the MLS, and they are unable to snatch a playoff birth. All eyes seem to be on next season for Kerr, where, with no injury, he will hopefully take an even bigger step up. It’s also worth noting that Kerr has started quite a few of Toronto’s last couple of matches and scored in their most recent match, a 4-2 victory over Orlando City.
Sergio Camargo | 2016 | Cavalry FC (CPL) | CAM
Camargo has been continuing his run of good form in the Canadian Premier League, as he has been an extremely important asset for Cavalry as they currently sit third in the league heading into playoff season. Camargo sits in the top ten in the league on goals with eight and fourth in the league on assists with six, as he has been one of the biggest pieces behind a high-powered Cavalry offense that sits third in goals scored and second in total scoring attempts. As mentioned, the CPL playoffs start soon, so it will be interesting to see how the postseason plays out for Camargo and the rest of Cavalry.
Nathan Opoku | 2022 | Newport County (EFL League 2) | ST
Nathan Opoku has recently gone back out on loan, this time joining English League Two club Newport County on a three-month loan deal. He’s started the season well there, starting most matches and already having two goals and an assist on the season. Although his loan term is very short, so we will have to watch to see if he goes back to Newport after, or if he can find a spot on Leicester City’s team. Either way, it seems like he will have to wait a little longer to find a permanent home, and not just another loan spell.
Gabriel Mikina | 2023 |St. Louis City FC 2 (MLS Next) | CB
Since our last update, Mikina has continued to impress immensely in the MLS Next. He helped St. Louis City2 top the league this campaign and was a key player at the heart of their defense. This was shown at the end of the season, when he got a nod for the MLS Next Pro best XI. He has also been a leader on this team, as he served as captain for the second straight year. He was also a finalist for the MLS Next Pro defender of the year. With this impressive resume, it would not shock me if we saw Mikina begin playing at the next level sooner rather than later.
Levonte Johnson | 2022 | Colorado Springs Switchbacks (USL Championship) | LW
Johnson has recently found a home in Colorado, after playing his first few years of pro soccer with the Vancouver Whitecaps. With Colorado, he has played in 21 games, starting six, and has had one assist so far on the season. He seems to have unfortunately taken a step back from his days with Vancouver; however, he has still been able to make an impact on the team. It will be interesting to see how his career plays out from here, and If we could see him make a return to the MLS someday.
Josh Belluz | 2023 | Hartford Athletic (USL Championship) | CB
Belluz has recently been sent on loan from Colorado Rapids in the MLS down to Hartford Athletic in the USL Championship, and he’s been playing quite well down there. He’s started both the team’s games since the loan, and even scored in their most recent match, against Oakland Roots. However, similarly to Opoku, this is a short term loan, so it will be difficult to know if he will be able to keep up this form when he returns back to Colorado.
As the European leagues start heating up and the North American leagues begin winding down, you can catch all the updates for our Syracuse alumni here at Nunes Magician.
