15 Of The Best MLS Players Ever

The soccer world is currently buzzing with excitement about Major League Soccer (MLS), thanks to Lionel Messi’s recent move to Inter Miami. As an undisputed legend of the sport and arguably the greatest football player of all time, Messi’s arrival has certainly heightened interest in the league.

While Messi’s presence in the MLS is undoubtedly a major boost, it is worth noting that many talented players have graced the MLS over the years. This post will look at some of these legendary players.

15 Best MLS Players Ever

1.    Thierry Henry

• Full name: Thierry Daniel Henry
• Nickname: Titi, Titou, Tezza
• Date of birth: August 17, 1977
• Age: 47 years old
• Nationality: France
• Current Status: France under-21 team manager

Thierry Henry, the all-time top scorer for Arsenal, is one of the most renowned footballers of his time. His impact on the MLS was significant, as he was included in the UEFA Team of the Year five times and the PFA Team of the Year for six consecutive years. Henry’s contributions to the New York Red Bulls were immense, leading the club to their first-ever trophy, the Supporters’ Shield. He was named a three-time MLS Best XI, which is a testament to his outstanding performance in the league.

2.    Bradley Wright-Phillips

• Full name: Bradley Wright-Phillips
• Nickname: BWP
• Date of birth: March 12, 1985
• Age: 40 years old
• Nationality: England
• Current Status: Retired

Bradley Wright-Phillips had to compete for playing time with Thierry Henry during their time together at the New York Red Bulls. Despite this challenge, he proved his worth and delivered two of the best-goal-scoring seasons in MLS history. With two MLS Golden Boot awards, two MLS Best XI selections, and a place as the eighth-highest scorer in league history, Phillips helped the New York Red Bulls win three Supporters’ Shields. He scored an impressive 126 goals in 240 MLS appearances for the Red Bulls.

Read Also: 15 Chelsea’s Best Players Of All Time

3.    Guillermo Barros Schelotto

• Full name: Guillermo Barros Schelotto
• Date of birth: May 4, 1973
• Age: 52 years old
• Nationality: Argentina
• Current Status: Retired

During his four-year stint in the MLS, Guillermo Barros Schelotto played for the Columbus Crew before returning to Argentina and finishing his career at Gimnasia y Esgrima La Plata in 2011. He had a successful time with the Crew, leading them to three league and cup titles. In 2008, he was named the league MVP after getting 19 assists with the Crew and winning the MLS Cup and Supporters’ Shield in the same year. He won two individual awards during his time in the league.

4.    Clint Dempsey

• Full name: Clint Dempsey
• Date of birth: March 09, 1983
• Age: 42 years old
• Nationality: USA
• Current Status: Retired

Clint Dempsey, a former American soccer player, made a significant impact on two major clubs in the MLS – the New England Revolution and the Seattle Sounders. Dempsey’s performance on the field was remarkable, and he earned numerous accolades throughout his career. In 2004, he was named the MLS Rookie of the Year and later went on to win the 2016 MLS Cup with the Seattle Sounders. In 2017, Dempsey was named the MLS Comeback Player of the Year, and he was also a two-time MLS Best XI. Throughout his MLS career, Dempsey netted a total of 72 goals in 186 games before retiring from professional soccer in 2018.

5.    Preki

• Full name: Predrag Radosavljevic
• Nick Name: Preki
• Date of birth: June 24, 1963
• Age: 61 years old
• Nationality: Yugoslavia
• Current Status: Retired

Preki is a former MLS player who played for the Kansas City Wizards in 1996. He is the current all-time league leader in points scored and was named an MLS All-Time Best XI. He earned the MLS MVP award twice and was inducted into the American National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010.

6.    David Beckham

• Full name: David Joseph Beckham
• Date of birth: March 12, 1975
• Age: 50 years old
• Nationality: England
• Current Status: Owner of Inter Miami FC

David Beckham is widely regarded as one of the most significant players to have signed for the MLS. He joined the MLS after playing for Real Madrid and Manchester United, which helped the league gain more recognition. Beckham had a successful career, winning two MLS Cups, two Supporters’ Shields, and being named MLS Best XI in 2011. He scored many impressive freekicks and has 18 goals and 40 assists in 98 games. Currently, he owns Inter Miami FC and is still making a huge impact on the MLS.

7.    David Villa

• Full name: David Villa Sanchez
• Date of birth: December 03, 1981
• Age: 43 years old
• Nationality: Spain
• Current Status: Retired

David Villa, the legendary soccer player and Spain’s all-time leading scorer, has a decorated career that includes winning a World Cup and the Champions League. During his stint in the MLS, Villa played for the NYCFC, where he set several records. He played 113 games for the team and scored 73 goals, which is the highest number of goals scored by any player in the club’s history. Villa was also awarded the prestigious 2016 MLS MVP award and finished second for the award the following year. He was a two-time MLS Best XI awardee and played a pivotal role in transforming the NYCFC from a new expansion team to one of the league’s top teams. Villa’s exceptional goal-scoring abilities have earned him a place among the greatest goal-scorers of his time.

8.    Josef Martinez

• Full name: Josef Martinez
• Date of birth: May 19, 1993
• Age: 31 years old
• Nationality: Venezuala
• Current Status: Active

Josef Martinez is a prolific Venezuelan soccer player and holds several records in the MLS. He is the MLS MVP, Golden Boot winner, three-time MLS Best XI, and a 2019 MLS Goal of the Year award winner. Martinez has the record for most hat-tricks, most goals in regular and postseason games, and the most consecutive games with a goal.

9.    Jaime Moreno

• Full name: Jaime Moreno
• Date of birth: January 19, 1974
• Age: 51 years old
• Nationality: Bolivia
• Current Status: Retired

Jaime Moreno is a Bolivian soccer player who was the all-time leading goal scorer in the MLS when he retired in 2010. He scored 134 goals in 329 matches, won four MLS Cups, and is a five-time MLS Best XI. Moreno was also inducted into the D.C. United Hall of Tradition in 2013.

10.    Eddie Pope

• Full name: Eddie Pope
• Date of birth: December 24, 1973
• Age: 51 years old
• Nationality: USA
• Current Status: Retired

Eddie Pope was an MLS star who played for D.C. United, the MetroStars, and Real Salt Lake. He scored the golden goal for D.C. United in 1996, winning the club their first-ever MLS Cup. Pope won three MLS Cups and was named the 1997 Defender of the Year. He was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2011.

11.    Landon Donovan

• Full name: Landon Timothy Donovan
• Date of birth: March 04, 1982
• Age: 43 years old
• Nationality: USA
• Current Status: Retired

Landon Donovan is the best MLS player ever. He won six MLS Cups, has the most assists in MLS history with 136 and was named the league’s MVP in 2009. He also won the Goal of the Year award and is a seven-time MLS Best XI. The league even renamed the MVP award after him in 2015.

12.    Robbie Keane

• Full name: Robert David Keane
• Date of birth: July 08, 1980
• Age: 44 years old
• Nationality: Republic of Ireland
• Current Status: Head coach Maccabi Tel Aviv FC

Robbie Keane won three MLS Cups with the LA Galaxy, scored 83 goals in 125 games, and was a four-time MLS Best XI. He is the Republic of Ireland’s most capped player and highest goal scorer. In 2011, he joined the LA Galaxy to form a formidable trio with David Beckham and Landon Donovan.

13.    Chris Wondolowski

• Full name: Christopher Elliot Wondolowski
• Date of birth: January 28, 1983
• Age: 42 years old
• Nationality: USA
• Current Status: Retired

Chris Wondolowski is the all-time leading goal scorer in MLS history, having scored 171 goals for the San Jose Earthquakes. He is the only player in league history to have scored over 10 goals in ten consecutive seasons and has won 2 MLS Cups, 2 MLS Golden Boots, and 3 MLS Best XI awards.

14.    Jeff Agoos

• Full name: Jeff Agoos
• Date of birth: May 2, 1968
• Age: 40 years old
• Nationality: England
• Current Status: Retired

Jeff Agoos won five MLS Cups and is considered one of the best defenders in MLS history. He also helped his team win two Supporters’ Shields and a U.S. Open Cup. Agoos won several awards, including 3-time MLS Best XI and MLS Defender of the Year in 2001. In 2001, he was inducted into the National Soccer Hall of Fame.

15. Dwayne De Rosario

• Full name: Dwayne De Rosario
• Date of birth: 15 May 1978
• Age: 47 years old
• Nationality: Canadian
• Current Status: Retired

Dwayne De Rosario played for five different Major League Soccer teams, including the San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo, Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls, and D.C. United. He is the league’s eighth-all-time top scorer with 104 goals. He won the MLS Cup four times, was named the 2011 MLS Most Valuable Player (MVP) and Golden Boot winner, and received six MLS Best XI honors and two MLS Goal of the Year awards.

De Rosario’s contributions to the Houston Dynamo were especially noteworthy, as he was instrumental in securing the team’s first two MLS Cups.