The relationship between MLS clubs and the international transfer market is as varied as it is unpredictable.

Some clubs still prefer to chase pricey, more experienced Designated Players. Some, like Orlando City for instance, prefer to chase young DPs instead. Still others scour the transfer market's underbelly, leveraging contacts in lesser-tapped nations in search of undiscovered gems. Hello, Ola Kamara.

In any case, 2016 provided another quiet step in the ongoing evolution of MLS clubs' approach toward international players. With the league's roster rules and salary cap, digging out gems from abroad is perhaps the most difficult thing to do in the league. Doing it well is an art form few have mastered.

Today, let's take a look under the hood at the 2016 international signings from all 20 teams, see how they fared and assign each team a grade. The rubric is mostly based around their impact this season, but in a few cases these moves were made with the future in mind, and that was given credence as well.

So let's take a look. Who won the international transfer market in 2016?

(Note: Only new international player acquisitions are considered on this list. Americans, Canadians, SuperDraft picks or former MLS players acquired from overseas clubs are not included. Statistics reflect regular season only)