Greatest players in MLS history

Compiling an inventory of the most effective MLS gamers ever isn’t a straight-forward activity. Successes elsewhere and pedigree previous to arriving in MLS have to be neglected. As a substitute, we’re aiming to establish the gamers who really excelled throughout their time in Main League Soccer.

Finest MLS gamers ever

Settle in, and browse by our rating of the 20 biggest gamers in MLS historical past.

20. Josef Martinez

Some would possibly say it’s too early to contemplate Josef Martinez in the most effective MLS gamers ever dialog. But, given his objectives and attacking contributions have earned MVP awards and silverware for Atlanta United in lower than six years, he’s most actually worthy of competition.

Now with Inter Miami, can he drag up one other franchise to the highest echelon?

19. Sebastian Giovinco

Sebastian Giovinco was the unique Italian to make waves at Toronto FC. Praised for his offensive versatility, the previous Juventus participant was integral to the franchise’s rise.

Between 2016 and 2017, Toronto would merely outscore the opposition. This led to him scoring 16 objectives within the common season within the latter season. In consequence, the membership gained the Supporters’ Protect and lifted the MLS Cup in a dominant calendar 12 months for the crew.

18. Carlos Vela

There’s little doubt that Carlos Vela will make the most effective MLS participant ever documentation. The Mexican ahead has made Los Angeles FC probably the most interesting groups to observe nearly by himself.

Whereas his private 34-goal season in 2019 gained him the MVP award and was near perfection, he’ll fondly cherish final season when LAFC lifted the MLS Cup.

17. Preki

Predrag Radosavljević, affectionately often known as Preki, secured a spot in MLS historical past early on. He turned the first-ever participant to win the MVP award greater than as soon as having secured it in 1997 and 2003.

What’s but extra exceptional is that the Serbian-born participant dabbled in US indoor soccer earlier than taking part in on the highest stage within the Premier League, then making the swap to Kansas Metropolis Wizards. The inventive midfielder supplied greater than his justifiable share of key passes to assist the Wizards to main titles within the early 2000s.

16. Ike Opara

With over 20 years of taking part in expertise in Main League Soccer, it’s no coincidence that Ike Opara is now employed as an assistant coach.

Opara was named the defender of the 12 months on two separate events and gained the MLS Cup with Sporting Kansas Metropolis in 2013. Regardless of the purpose in his storied profession, Opara was all the time credited for his bullish work fee which all the time happy supporters.

15. Andre Blake

What defines success for a recent goalkeeper in Main League Soccer? Simply ask the Philadelphia Union shot-stopper, Andre Blake.

The Jamaican keeper has performed his complete profession with Philadelphia Union and has been distinctive all through. The three-time goalkeeper of the 12 months sadly, nonetheless, has a big assortment of silver medals. Three US Open Cup finals led to heartache but the large disappointment got here in 2022 when the Union misplaced the MLS Cup remaining.

14. Eddie Pope

If Main League Soccer made an origin story film, Eddie Pope would have a starring function. His defensive contributions allowed few opposing groups to attain all through the common 1996 season. D.C. United made all of it the way in which to the ultimate in that inaugural marketing campaign.

He etched himself into franchise and MLS historical past.

The MLS Cup remaining stood at 2-2 on the finish of 90 minutes. As such, a further half-hour had been wanted to see if both crew might rating a golden purpose to elevate the trophy. Pope discovered the ball from the nook supply and wrapped up the first-ever MLS Cup along with his effort.

13. Taylor Twellman

Now one of many recognizable broadcast voices throughout American soccer transmissions, Taylor Twellman earned his carry on the pitch.

His eight-season tenure with New England Revolution was outlined by constantly serving to the crew discover objectives. His 2005 season was prolific as he earned the MVP and Golden Boot in that marketing campaign.

12. Diego Valeri

After the most effective a part of a decade at Windfall Park, Diego Valeri left Portland as a real Timbers legend. The attacking midfielder scored precisely 100 objectives for the membership in all competitions.

Whereas he lifted the MLS Cup simply as soon as with the Portland Timbers, he was constantly acknowledged as a person with MVP, Cup MVP, and finest newcomer award.

11. Clint Dempsey

Clint Dempsey might have been not simply among the many finest MLS gamers ever however in an alternate actuality the most effective. The long run was simply too vivid for the 2004 Rookie of the 12 months. He confirmed greater than sufficient promise which cast a transfer to Fulham within the Premier League the place he turned a Craven Cottage cult icon.

Regardless of beginning his profession with New England Revolution, it was upon his return to Main League Soccer with the Seattle Sounders that yielded essentially the most tangible success. Of which included an MLS Cup win, a runners-up spot and even a US Open Cup win.

10. Bradley Wright-Phillips

The New York Pink Bulls legend Bradley Wright-Phillips was arguably higher than Thierry Henry as a striker for the membership.

The Englishman scored 117 objectives in MLS, greater than double that of his French counterpart. Regardless of topping the general MLS desk 3 times, he by no means gained the MLS Cup because the franchise has traditionally struggled to go all the way in which.

9. David Beckham

When David Beckham introduced that he was leaving Manchester United there was home uproar when an Englishman dared to play outdoors of the Premier League. That was nothing in comparison with the common confusion when he introduced that he was planning to hyperlink up with LA Galaxy in Main League Soccer.

The enduring midfielder spent 5 years on the LA roster, successful consecutive MLS cups in 2011 and 2012. Whereas his star energy would have some put him larger up such prime MLS gamers lists, it’s value remembering his early days on the membership.

Beckham was initially very pissed off on the franchise which noticed him spend successive mortgage strikes at AC Milan. He earned recognition within the Rossoneri corridor of fame, but this was on Galaxy’s watch.

8. Marco Etcheverry

For a lot of D.C. United followers, Marco Etcheverry outlined the attacking spirit of the franchise which gained a number of titles all through the mid and late Nineteen Nineties.

His objectives weren’t simply prolific in amount however high quality too, as acknowledged for his purpose of the season awards in each 1997 and 1999. Along with his 9 main titles with the membership, Marco is greater than fondly remembered by the Audi Subject devoted.

7. Tony Meola

Goalkeepers seldom get sufficient credit score. Tony Meola stays to be the one goalkeeper to obtain the coveted MVP award.

His 2000 season nonetheless was nothing in need of a legendary efficiency between the sticks, that includes 16 clear sheets all through the marketing campaign. He saved up this forcefield-like kind into the postseason and earned one other shutout within the MLS Cup remaining as his Kansas Metropolis Wizards crew gained the title.

6. Kei Kamara

Finest MLS gamers of all time? Kei Kamara deserves advantage for his longevity and constant purpose menace. At 38 years outdated, Kamara embarks on yet one more new problem linking up with Chicago Hearth. That is now his tenth MLS franchise.

All over the place he’s been, objectives have adopted. Earlier than the 2023 season, he sits third within the all-time purpose file for the division. Nonetheless, he’ll have eyes to leap up a spot as his 139 tally is simply six purpose in need of Landon Donovan’s depend in second place.

5. David Villa

New York Metropolis FC has the bizarre and undesirable distinction of being the one membership David Villa didn’t win silverware at. Between 2015 and 2018, he notched 80 objectives in 126 appearances.

New York Metropolis followers will all the time maintain him in particular regard for his efficiency in a Hudson River derby. NYCFC had been 2-1 down with lower than half-hour left on the clock. Villa had already scored and led the crew to a comeback win with two additional objectives.

Regardless of not lifting a trophy with the Pigeons, he nonetheless left an actual impression on Main League Soccer and left as a legend of the competitors. An all-star in each season he was there, the 2016 MVP and quite a few different awards ensured he left a legacy at Yankee Stadium.

4. Jaime Moreno

Bolivian ahead Jaime Moreno has an actual weight within the biggest gamers in MLS historical past debate.

Moreno devoted his profession to D.C. United barring one season which he spent with the Metro Stars. His 133 objectives for the franchise had been sufficient to win 4 MLS Cups, two US Open Cups, and even the CONCACAF Champions League. But, it’s his general contributions to the franchise which made him such a treasured MLS legend.

3. Carlos Valderrama

There all the time must be a trailblazer. Valderrama jumped on the probability to affix MLS on the first juncture.

His Colombian aptitude was integral to Tampa Bay Mutiny’s Supporter’s Protect win in 1996. Whereas this stood out as his lone trophy from his time in MLS, Valderrama continued to carry out and spent the remainder of his profession within the US. When he retired in 2002, he had been named in a number of 100 finest gamers lists and included within the MLS All-Time Finest XI.

2. Chris Wondolowski

When googling ‘MLS GOAT’, there are a number of names that crop up often. Chris Wondolowski is one such title. In his day, the striker was a constant purpose menace for the San Jose Earthquakes. His attacking presence led him to a number of prime scorer accolades in addition to holding the file for the all-time purpose depend with 171 MLS objectives.

Regardless of his longevity within the sport (2004 to 2021), his trophy cupboard isn’t bustling with solely 4 main membership honors. Two of these got here with San Jose and one other couple from his transient tenure at Houston Dynamo. Nonetheless, after being named MVP and in a number of finest XI sheets for the season, he’s nonetheless extremely nicely remembered.

1. Landon Donovan

No dialogue on the best gamers in MLS historical past ought to omit this man. In case you didn’t know, the MVP award that the league fingers out is called after him. It’s now recognized often because the Landon Donovan MVP award.

Whereas the LA Galaxy legend flirted with different golf equipment like Bayern Munich, Everton, and even the San Jose Earthquakes, his legacy was etched with the Galaxy. 145 objectives in MLS makes him the second all-time prime scorer and fairly presumably the most effective participant to ever adorn the division.