“(Blanco) understands it’s a very competitive league with very athletic players. He has that ability to play that final pass, to play it behind defenders and have very athletic forwards running onto the ball,’’ Osorio said. “And because of the athleticism in the league there are a lot of fouls. He’s as influential taking free kicks as anybody in this league and he’s proved that.’’

In a league that includes David Beckham, that’s high praise. And Blanco surely creates far more free kick chances than Goldenballs ever did.

He was fifth in MLS last year in his debut season with 61 fouls drawn; but he did that in less than half a season, playing just 14 games. For perspective, league leader Alejandro Moreno got fouled 3.2 times/game, while Blanco was in an entirely different stratosphere at nearly 4.4.

“If we can limit Blanco from being that playmaker, try not to give away free kicks in and around the box, that can help our chances, obviously,’’ said defender Jeff Parke. “Just make it tough on him, not giving those little tap fouls where he dives and gets a free kick for him. If we make it hard on him, it’ll help our chances.’’