Thursday, 7 May 2015

MLS' 12 Craziest Haircuts

Benny Feilhaber shocked the MLS community last week stepping onto the pitch for Sporting Kansas City's 1-0 victory over Chicago Fire, boasting a mullet and moustache look straight from the 1980's.
It later emerged that the effort was all in aid of charity, but the former Derby County star has inspired us to look back at some of the league's most memorable barnets...
1) Alexi Lalas
Best known in England for being the driving force behind David Beckham’s move to MLS, Lalas’ flowing red locks and goatee combination helped him make his name as part of the USA’s 1994 side.
Lalas would go on to win the MLS Cup with LA Galaxy in 2002, the same year he was chosen in MLS’ best XI, and now works as an analyst for Fox Sports with a more orthodox barnet.
 2) Abel Xavier
The 1991 Under-20 World Cup winner is famed for his frightening blonde hair and beard – however, this 2007 haircut screams cuddle me more than terrifying defender.
After spells with Everton, Liverpool and Middlesbrough the Portuguese international joined LA Galaxy in 2007 and made 21 appearances in two seasons.
3) Diego Fagundez
We will give the benefit of the doubt to Fagundez because he is only 20, but we really hope that this is the last of the Mohicans – not a good look Diego.
Despite his age the Uruguayan is now in his fifth MLS campaign with New England Revolution after becoming the first homegrown player to come through their academy.
4) Jermaine Jones
Who would have thought dying the tips of your dreadlocks would be a good look? You didn’t? Neither did we but US international Jones somehow manages to pull it off.
Jones’ return to the Revolution side has seen them go on a seven match unbeaten streak and rise to the top of the MLS standings ahead of  Week 10.
 5) Carlos Valderrama
The blonde afro of Colombia’s most capped player, he scored 11 times in 111 appearances, might be the most iconic haircut in football history.
The attacking midfielder won the Supporters’ Shield with Tampa Bay Mutiny in MLS’ inaugural season and still holds the record for most assists in a season, 26 – nobody else has even made 20!
6) Brek Shea
We are not sure whether Shea wanted a Mohawk or whether the barber simply forgot to finish shaving the US international’s longer locks; either way it’s a strong contender for MLS’ worst haircut.
Thankfully Shea looks better on the pitch, and has starred for Orlando City and the US team this year after an unsuccessful spell with Premier League side Stoke City.

7) Nick DeLeon
In 2013 DC United’s all action midfielder clearly wanted to stand out off the field, as well as on it, when he took inspiration from Xavier and went for the bleach blonde look.
Unfortunately for Nick he didn’t have enough to bleach his beard too and ended up this horrendous black and white combination – but it didn’t stop DC claiming the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.


8) Sebastian Velasquez
What to have, a mullet or a Mohawk? Velasquez couldn’t decide during his time with Real Salt Lake so he decided to have both.
The blonde highlights topped off a truly spectacular look but thankfully the Colombian has reverted to something more traditional at the ripe old age of 24.


9) DeAndre Yedlin
The United States youngster came through the Seattle Sounders’ academy with a hairstyle reminiscent of Neymar, who like Yedlin, starred at the 2014 World Cup.
This blonde Mohican screams personality and the Tottenham Hotspur’s right back is full of it, and starred as the Sounders won the Supporters’ Shield in 2014.

10) Kyle Beckerman
Beckerman became known worldwide as his dreadlocks prowled in front of the US backline during the national team’s run to the last-16 in Brazil.
The Real Salt Lake captain has dominated MLS midfield’s for over a decade – he won the MLS Cup in 2009 and would make many a Rastafarian proud with his lengthy locks.


11) Gyasi Zardes
Zardes has made quite an impact at LA Galaxy since bursting onto the scene to form a frightening partnership with MLS’ MVP Robbie Keane during their run to MLS Cup glory last year.
His stand out blonde stripe is so powerful that it has been adopted by rookie teammate Bradford Jamieson who scored his first MLS goal for Galaxy against New York Red Bulls two weeks ago.

12) Dominic Oduro
We couldn’t do a piece on MLS haircut’s without mentioning Montreal Impact’s Dominic Oduro who is the king of wild and whacky hairstyles.
Oduro made headlines last year when he had a pizza slice shaved onto his head before getting in the spirit ahead of the Champions League final by dying his Mohawk blue in support of his side
Sadly his efforts couldn’t spur Montreal to victory last week but we have to bow down to you Dom, you are the king of crazy MLS lids!

Do you agree with our choices? Let us know in the comment section below.

Images courtesy of Stephen Dunn, Jared Wickerham, Maddie Meyer, Victor Decolongon, Bob Levey, George Frey and Otto Greule Jr, with thanks. 
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