MLS All-Stars: Worst signings XI

Raïs M'Bolhi has made the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week after Philadelphia Union coach Jim Curtin announced he will be dropped.

The goalkeeper produced a man of the match performance when Algeria were knocked out of the World Cup by eventual winners Germany last summer.

M'Bolhi will have a watching brief

Yet this weekend he will be replaced by John McCarthy, a 22-year-old that was playing third tier soccer with Rochester Rhinos last season.

So what exactly has M'Bolhi done and why does he make it into our Worst MLS Signings XI?

Goalkeeper – Raïs M'Bolhi (Philadelphia Union)

The Designated Player has struggled so far this season, conceding a league high nine goals in just five games and making no saving catches – again a league high.

And after his indecision turned three points into none against Sporting Kansas City last weekend, his manager has decided it’s time to pull one of his top earners out of the firing line.

Right Back – Abel Xavier (LA Galaxy)

The Portuguese defender that swapped Everton for Liverpool was the centre of controversy when his contract was terminated by LA Galaxy following a bust up with manager Ruud Gullit.

The former Chelsea boss accused Xavier of faking injury and being a disruptive influence in the dressing room, with the player insisting Gullit made it all up to exert his power.

Centre Back – Rafa Marquez (New York Red Bulls)

Marquez was hailed as a coup for MLS when Red Bulls pipped Juventus to his signature, but when he left two years later he was branded by many as the worst signing ever.

Babayaro in his Chelsea days

The former Barcelona man was criticised for his constant injuries, discipline record and his commitment to the franchise and league – he later admitted the move was his worst career decision.

Left Back – Celestine Babayaro (LA Galaxy)

The Nigerian arrived expecting the ‘David Beckham treatment’ only to find that the rest of the squad flew in economy class and shared rooms when preparing for away games.

This was not to Babayaro’s liking and after just 45 minutes of preseason, where he was booked and gave away a penalty, he was off - to make matters worse he was declared bankrupt in 2011.

Right Midfield – Nery Castillo (Chicago Fire)

This is a name that may be familiar to a few Manchester City fans after the Mexican had a brief loan spell in England but made little impact – just as he did in Chicago.

He became the second youngest Designated Player in MLS history but failed to settle and Chicago became another club on the CV of the journeyman who once cost Shakhtar Donetsk €20 million.

Centre Midfield – Branko Boskovic (D.C. United)

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder arrived in MLS with international caps and a raft of European experience but only played 895 minutes in his first two seasons.

In his third and final season the Montenegrin finally got on the field and found some form but by that point it was damage limitation for another Designated Player that failed to live up to his wages.

Matthaus has 150 Germany caps

Centre Midfield - Lothar Matthaus (MetroStars – now New York Red Bulls)

Yes the man that has played a record 25 World Cup games, won seven Bundesliga titles and is the most capped German of all time making 150 international appearances – he’s in the team.
It’s not Matthaus’ performances that mean he merits a place more his attitude, heading to St. Tropez midseason when he was rehabilitating a back injury probably wasn’t the best idea.

Left Midfield – Denilson (FC Dallas)

No not the Arsenal one, the world's most expensive player when he signed for Real Betis in 1998 and a 2002 World Cup winner with Brazil that couldn’t make the Dallas starting XI.

After no assists and one goal from the penalty spot in eight games, Denilson was dropped when his manager stated that he had to earn a starting berth – he didn’t feature again.

Right Forward - Mustapha Jarju (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Jarju became MLS’s first African Designated Player in July 2011, signing as a relative unknown from Belgian second division side R.A.E.C. Mons, where he averaged a goal every three games.

But unfortunately for both player and franchise he could not find his feet in Canada, failing to score in his 10 appearances before the two parties mutually agreed to terminate his contract in January 2012.

Former Valencia man Mista in Toronto

Centre Forward - Luis Angel Landin (Houston Dynamo)

The Mexican was Dynamo’s first ever Designated Player, a decision they would come to regret but like many others on this list his time in MLS was relatively short lived.

Despite spending almost two seasons on the Houston roster during his loan spell, he registered just 796 first team minutes and misfired in front of goal – scoring twice in 16 games.

Left Forward - Mista (Toronto)

Despite boasting two La Liga titles and a UEFA Cup winner’s medal from his days with Rafa Benitez’s Valencia, Mista failed to make an impact in the Great White North

The Spain international reportedly earned $1million for half a season with Toronto, but, after flattering to deceive, the franchise unsurprisingly decided not to take up the option to extend his stay.

Images courtesy of Martin Rose, Mark Thompson, Bongarts and Abelimages, with thanks.