With the recent news of the launch of the eMLS, teams have already started to hunt for their champions. Setting out with hopes of winning the first ever MLS Cup, New York Red Bulls have already made a new signing – Michael Labelle.

Long-time eSports fans will recognise Labelle from past Grand Finals along with his YouTube channel dedicated to eSports. Labelle made his first Grand Final appearance over a decade ago – at the FIFA Interactive World Cup 2007. The Texas native also enjoys the honour as the only former Grand Finalist to have a goal celebration motion captured at EA Studios and put in the game.

“Now we’re going to see an explosion of signings, with all these different players joining clubs,” LaBelle told www.redbull.com. “You’ll have eSports players interacting with the players in the club. It’s an exciting time.”

The inaugural eMLS Cup takes place in April and feeds into the EA SPORTS FIFA18 Global series which culminates with the FIFA eWorld Cup 2018 Grand Final, where the next FIFA world champion Champion will be crowned.

You can view Mike’s winning celebration, which was motion captured for FIFA14, below.