The Messi frenzy heading to MLS has officially gone wild. With recent news that fellow Barcelona stars Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba (and possibly even Eden Hazard) will be joining Argentine superstar Lionel Messi at Inter Miami, it’s important to remember that MLS history has seen the presence of legendary players. Previously, Designated Players were the talk of the league, but they aren’t the only MLS stars. Let’s bestsoccertips consider the top 10 best player in MLS history here!
Top 10 Greatest Players in MLS History Ranking
10. Andre Blake
He hails from Jamaica and has been a goalkeeper in MLS from 2014 to present, representing the Philadelphia Union. He has clinched the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award in 2016, 2020, and 2022, along with being selected in the MLS Best XI in the respective years.
Andre Blake isn’t just a standout goalkeeper on this list. In fact, he’s a three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year – the most of any goalkeeper in MLS history – and has been the runner-up for the award twice. Moreover, Blake is only 32 and shows no signs of slowing down.
Drafted first overall by the Philadelphia Union in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft out of UConn, Blake has held down the fort in the City of Brotherly Love for nearly a decade, playing 220 matches with the Union. He’s also earned 66 caps for the resurgent Jamaican national team and seems poised to qualify for the 2026 World Cup. There’s no doubt about it, Blake is one of the most active players in MLS today.
9. Chad Marshall
He’s a U.S. national and a defender who played in MLS from 2004 to 2019, representing Columbia Crew and Seattle Sounders. He won the MLS Cup in 2008, 2016, and 2019, and was honored as MLS Defender of the Year in 2008, 2009, and 2014, along with making the MLS Best XI in 2008, 2009, 2014, and 2018.
Similar to Andre Blake in the goalkeeper department, Chad Marshall holds numerous MLS Defender of the Year awards in the league’s history with three. Drafted second overall by the Columbus Crew in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft, Marshall was a stalwart for the Ohio club for 10 years, appearing in a total of 272 games, securing an MLS Cup and three Supporter’s Shields.
That wasn’t enough for Marshall. After moving to the Seattle Sounders in 2014, he secured two more MLS Cups and two more MLS Best XI selections to bring his total career accolades in that category to four. Marshall was a MLS legend by the time he retired after the 2019 season. When a player can win championships with multiple MLS teams, it’s safe to say he had an impressive career.
8. Carlos Valderrama
He holds Colombian nationality and is a midfielder who played in MLS from 1996 to 2002, featuring for teams like Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion, and Colorado Rapids. He was awarded the FIFA 100 in 2004 and was honored as the MLS Most Valuable Player in 1996.
Included in Pele’s “FIFA 100” as one of the 100 greatest living players in 2004, Colombian midfielder Carlos Valderrama had a highly successful career in South America and Europe before joining MLS. He was one of the founding members of the league when he joined the Tampa Bay Mutiny in the inaugural season of 1996.
He then had a brief stint with the Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids before retiring at the age of 41 in 2002. In his short but successful MLS career, the Colombian player earned the MLS Supporter’s Shield, the 1996 MLS MVP award, and All-Time Best XI honors. He also set a single-season assist record in the league with a staggering 26 assists in 2000. His iconic hairstyle surely helped him become one of the first names fans think of when they hear “best MLS players of all time”.
7. Jeff Agoos
He is of American nationality and is a defender who played in MLS from 1996 to 2005, representing teams such as DC United, San Jose Earthquakes, and MetroStars. He won the MLS Cup in 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003, and was honored as the MLS Defender of the Year in 2001 and made the MLS Best XI in 1997, 1999, and 2001.
Jeff “the Goose” Agoos is considered the greatest American defender of all time. He earned 134 caps for the United States national team, was a three-time MLS Best XI selection, the 2001 MLS Defender of the Year, and won MLS championships five times (three with DC United and two with San Jose). He was also ranked by Betway Insider as the greatest American Jewish player of all time.
The American star had played for German club SV Wehen before joining the newly formed MLS in 1996 as a member of DC United. He played a key role in the nation’s capital for five years before moving to San Jose in 2001.
6. Dwayne De Rosario
He holds Canadian nationality and played as a midfielder in MLS from 2001 to 2014, competing for teams like the San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo, Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls, and DC United. He won the MLS Cup in 2001, 2003, 2006, and 2007. Additionally, he was honored in the MLS Best XI in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011, and achieved the MLS MVP title in 2011.
As the only Canadian in this top 10 ranking, midfielder Dwayne De Rosario was versatile enough to score 104 goals in his MLS career, ranking 9th on the all-time list, while also serving as a linchpin in various MLS midfields.
After helping San Jose win the MLS Cup in both 2001 and 2003, De Rosario moved to Houston and was the standout player in the Houston Dynamo teams that won consecutive MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007. This happened throughout his six-season MLS tenure, featuring in the Best XI for seven seasons from 2005 to 2011. In 2011, while playing for Toronto FC, the Canadian player brought home the long-overdue MLS MVP award.
5. Sebastian Giovinco
He holds Italian nationality and played in MLS from 2015 to 2019, representing Toronto FC. He won the MLS Cup in 2017 and was honored in the MLS Best XI in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Additionally, he achieved the MLS MVP title in 2015.
After a successful career in Italy with multiple Serie A championships with Juventus, Sebastian Giovinco, at the age of 28, decided to test himself in MLS in 2015 and moved to Toronto FC. Despite being in North America for only four years, he made the most of his short stint.
The “Atomic Ant” was selected to the MLS All-Star team for all four years he competed in the league, securing three spots in the MLS Best XI, winning the MVP and Golden Boot of the MLS in 2015, while also leading Toronto FC to the MLS Cup in 2017. In 114 career appearances, he scored 68 goals and provided 52 assists – an impressive tally.
Giovinco is also the highest-scoring free-kick taker in MLS history and one of the most outstanding European players in MLS history.
4. Jaime Moreno
He holds Bolivian nationality and played in MLS from 1996 to 2010, featuring for DC United and the MetroStars. He won the MLS Cup in 1996, 1997, 1999, and 2004, along with being honored in the MLS Best XI in 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, and 2006.
Bolivian forward Jaime Moreno had an intriguing career path. After starring for Blooming in his native Bolivia, he signed with Premier League’s Middlesbrough. After about 20 appearances, Moreno moved to MLS’ DC United. He exploded onto the scene with 19 goals in his first 29 MLS appearances before rejoining Middlesbrough (then in the second tier) on loan in early 1998.
Moreno returned to MLS and never looked back. Apart from a season with the MetroStars, the Bolivian player was “Mr. DC United.” He became the first MLS player to score 100 goals and tally 100 assists. He led DC United to four MLS Cups and four Supporter’s Shields, earning spots in the MLS Best XI, the All-Time Best XI of MLS, and even the Washington DC Sports Hall of Fame.
3. Preki
He holds Serbian nationality and played in MLS from 1996 to 2005, featuring for the Kansas City Wizards and the Miami Fusion. He won the MLS Cup in 2000 and was honored as the MLS MVP in 1997 and 2003. Another MLS classic name, Predrag Radosavljevic (commonly known as “Preki”), was an original MLS signing with the Kansas City Wizards after stints with clubs like Everton and Portsmouth in the Premier League.
Joining MLS at the age of 33, Preki still earned two MLS MVPs and two Golden Boots, both of which came at the age of 40 in 2003. He scored 79 MLS goals for the Wizards and Miami Fusion, also winning the MLS Cup with Kansas City in 2000. Preki truly stands as a Major League Soccer legend.
2. Chris Wondolowski
He is of American nationality and played in MLS from 2005 to 2021, playing for the San Jose Earthquakes and the Houston Dynamo. He won the MLS Cup in 2006 and 2007 and was honored in the MLS Best XI in 2010, 2011, and 2012. Additionally, he earned the MLS MVP in 2012.
Perhaps unfairly known for missing a sitter that could have sent the USMNT to the 2014 World Cup quarterfinals, Chris “Wondo” Wondolowski is the all-time leading scorer in MLS history (with a total of 171 goals). The tournament’s Golden Boot winner in both 2010 and 2012 was a staple for the Earthquakes’ dominance.
Wondolowski moved to San Jose in 2009 after early MLS Cup successes with the Houston Dynamo. A dominant 2012 season saw him equal Roy Lassiter’s 16-year-old MLS record with 27 goals. A natural goal-scorer, he demonstrated that ability better than any other player in MLS.
1. Landon Donovan
He holds American nationality and played in MLS from 2001 to 2016, donning the jerseys of the San Jose Earthquakes and LA Galaxy. Landon Donovan won the MLS Cup in 2001, 2003, 2005, 2011, 2012, and 2014, along with being honored in the MLS Best XI in 2003, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2014. He also earned the MLS Cup MVP in 2003 and 2011, along with the MLS MVP in 2009.
There’s only one answer for the greatest MLS player of all time: Landon Donovan. The American midfielder joined the San Jose Earthquakes on loan from Bayer Levekusen in 2001 and never looked back, especially after moving to LA Galaxy.
The all-time MLS record holder for assists and second-highest goal-scorer in league history, Donovan’s MLS resume is truly remarkable. He’s a six-time MLS Cup champion, named in the MLS Best XI All-Time, the 2009 MLS MVP, seven-time MLS Best XI selection, and two-time MLS Cup MVP.
If you disagree with his position on this list, remember that he was voted the greatest player in MLS history in a fan poll sponsored by AT&T during the league’s 25th-anniversary season.
Conclusion
The players you’ve mentioned are all prominent figures in MLS history, contributing not only with their skills and achievements on the field but also with their spirit and passion. Their diverse nationalities and various positions have painted a rich picture of the development of soccer in the United States and worldwide. The awards and accolades they’ve earned are clear evidence of their excellence and dedication to the sport.
See more: Top 10 best passers in soccer history
