Major League Soccer (MLS) has come a long way since its inaugural season in 1996. From humble beginnings with borrowed stadiums and modest crowds to becoming a legitimate destination for global superstars, the league has evolved into something far beyond what those early pioneers could have imagined.
Along the way, players from across the globe and homegrown talents have left their mark, building legacies that define what MLS represents today.
Ranking the greatest players in league history means weighing different eras, different roles, and different impacts.
Some dominated statistically. Others changed the culture. A few did both. This list honors the 20 players who shaped MLS into what it has become.
20. Cobi Jones
Speed, stamina, and an engine that never quit. Cobi Jones became the face of LA Galaxy before anyone knew what LA Galaxy could become.
Over 306 appearances for the club, he scored 70 goals from midfield and collected multiple championships, helping establish the Galaxy as MLS royalty long before Beckham and Zlatan arrived.
Jones earned legendary status beyond just his club performances. He became the most-capped player in United States men’s national team history, a record that stood as a benchmark for American soccer for years.
His technical ability combined with relentless work rate made him a prototype for what MLS midfielders could be.
When he won the 1998 US Player of the Year award, it felt like recognition for everything he represented about American soccer’s growth. He retired in 2007, leaving behind a blueprint for homegrown success.
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19. Brian McBride
Premier League supporters might remember Brian McBride for his time at Fulham or that brief Everton loan spell, but his true home was MLS. At Columbus Crew, he became a club legend, scoring 62 goals in 161 league appearances with a striker’s instinct that made defending against him miserable.
After proving himself in England, McBride returned to MLS with Chicago Fire, adding 18 more goals in 59 league games.
His consistency never wavered. His leadership never diminished. He played with a physical edge that worked in Europe and dominated in MLS, showing that American strikers could compete at multiple levels.
McBride remains one of the greatest goal scorers the league has produced, a player who elevated every team he joined.
18. Kyle Beckerman
That unmistakable hair. That defensive midfield presence. Kyle Beckerman played 377 games for Real Salt Lake, scoring 30 goals from a position where scoring goals was never the primary job.
Before RSL, he spent five years at Colorado Rapids, playing another 155 matches and adding 30 more goals. The numbers tell part of the story, but they miss the essence of what made Beckerman special.
His leadership anchored Real Salt Lake through their most successful period.
His combative style disrupted opponents. His consistency and longevity in MLS, spanning over a decade at the highest level, demonstrated a commitment to the league that few players matched. Six MLS All-Star selections confirmed what anyone watching knew: Beckerman was among the best midfielders in league history.
He chose to stay when others with his ability would have chased European opportunities. That loyalty meant something.
17. Eddie Pope
Strength, speed, and aerial dominance. Eddie Pope had everything you want in a central defender, and he used those tools to help DC United dominate the early MLS landscape.
Over 250 MLS appearances, including 42 with MetroStars before they became the New York Red Bulls, Pope established himself as the defensive standard others tried to match.
His trophy collection speaks to his impact: three MLS Cups, two Supporters’ Shields, a US Open Cup, and a CONCACAF Champions League title.
Four All-Star selections confirmed his status among the elite. His 11-year career included 82 caps for the United States national team, making him one of American soccer’s most decorated defenders. Pope showed that MLS could produce world-class defensive players, not just attackers chasing highlight reels.
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16. Carlos Valderrama
That hair alone made Carlos Valderrama unmistakable, but his passing ability made him unforgettable. The Colombian maestro brought a level of technical sophistication to early MLS that helped legitimize the league internationally.
Across 175 games with Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion, and Colorado Rapids, Valderrama showcased the kind of vision and creativity that comes along once in a generation.
He finished fourth on the all-time MLS assists leaderboard with 114, but the raw number undersells his influence. His average of 0.65 assists per game remains the highest in league history, a rate of playmaking that no one has matched.
Valderrama was past his prime when he arrived in MLS, yet he still set a gold standard for what creative midfielders could accomplish in American soccer. He made the league better simply by being there.
15. Jeff Cunningham
Pure goal scorer. Jeff Cunningham spent over a decade terrorizing MLS defenses, racking up 134 goals that once stood as the league record.
The Jamaican forward won the Golden Boot twice and earned two spots in the MLS Best XI, recognition for sustained excellence rather than brief brilliance.
His pace destroyed backlines. His finishing turned half-chances into goals. His consistency separated him from players who had one good season and faded.
Cunningham played for six different clubs across the country, writing his own version of the American Dream as he moved from Columbus Crew to Colorado Rapids to Real Salt Lake to Toronto FC to FC Dallas and finally San Antonio Scorpions.
Everywhere he went, goals followed. Few players in MLS history combined longevity with productivity the way Cunningham did.
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14. Taylor Twellman
Concussion injuries cut Taylor Twellman’s career short, but what he accomplished in that abbreviated time remains remarkable.
He reached 100 MLS goals faster than anyone, doing so in just 174 games while also becoming the youngest player to hit that milestone. In total, he scored 112 goals and provided 26 assists for New England Revolution before trying to continue his career in Germany.
Twellman helped lead the Revolution to four MLS Cups and four Eastern Conference Finals, plus a US Open Championship and North American SuperLiga title.
He won the Golden Boot in 2005 as the league’s top scorer and earned Best XI honors in 2002 and 2005. His 30 caps for the United States national team included leading the team in scoring in 2006. Every time you wonder what might have been if injuries had not ended his career early, you realize what a special talent MLS lost.
13. Clint Dempsey
One of the most recognizable names in American soccer history, Clint Dempsey made his mark both in MLS and abroad.
Before his Premier League success with Fulham and Tottenham, he scored 25 goals in 71 games for New England Revolution, performances that caught European attention and proved American players could thrive overseas.
When Dempsey returned to MLS with Seattle Sounders in 2013, he brought back a refined game and international pedigree.
He scored 47 goals in 115 appearances for Seattle, leading the team through some of its most successful years. His technical ability and creativity made him one of the most exciting players to watch in league history.
Dempsey showed you could succeed in Europe and still come back to MLS and dominate, breaking down the perception that returning meant your career was over.
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12. Preki
Predrag Radosavljevic, better known simply as Preki, dominated MLS from the moment he joined Kansas City Wizards in February 1996. Two MVP awards.
Two Golden Boots. A career that redefined what excellence looked like in the fledgling league.
Between 1996 and 2000, he scored 50 goals in 145 appearances for Kansas City before a stint with Miami Fusion in 2001. When Miami folded, Preki returned to Kansas City through the dispersal draft and added 21 goals in 73 games before retiring in 2005.
He remains MLS’s all-time points leader, a statistical testament to his offensive production. The league named him to the All-Time Best XI in 2005, and he entered the National Soccer Hall of Fame in 2010.
After retiring, he became MLS Coach of the Year in 2007, proving his soccer intelligence translated beyond playing.
11. Bradley Wright-Phillips
Brother of former England international Shaun Wright-Phillips, Bradley carved out his own legacy in MLS.
His time with New York Red Bulls produced 108 goals in 195 appearances, a strike rate that made him one of the most feared forwards in league history. Two Golden Boots confirmed his status as the best goal scorer of his era.
In 2018, Wright-Phillips became the 11th player to reach 100 MLS goals. He still holds the record as the Red Bulls’ all-time leading scorer.
A brief stint with LAFC in 2020 added eight more goals in 19 games before he eventually hung up his boots.
His clinical finishing and positional intelligence made defending against him a nightmare, and his consistency year after year separated him from the many strikers who had one good season and faded.
10. Dwayne De Rosario
A true MLS journeyman in the best sense of the word, Dwayne De Rosario played 330 games and scored 102 goals while delivering everywhere he went.
His speed, skill, and eye for goal made him one of the most exciting players to watch, whether he was wearing the colors of San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo, Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls, or DC United.
Four MLS Cup wins tell the story of a player who showed up when it mattered most: twice with San Jose in 2001 and 2003, twice with Houston in 2006 and 2007. He earned MLS Cup MVP honors in 2001 and 2007, cementing his reputation as a big-game player.
De Rosario remains Toronto FC’s all-time leader in goals with 27, multi-goal games with five, and game-winning goals with seven. Few players in league history combined individual brilliance with team success as effectively.
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9. Diego Valeri
Diego Valeri’s time with Portland Timbers will be remembered for spectacular goals and consistent excellence.
The Argentine midfielder played 262 games across three spells with the club, scoring 86 goals while orchestrating attacks with vision and technical ability that elevated everyone around him.
The 2017 MLS MVP and 2015 MLS Cup MVP, Valeri stands as one of the rare Argentine players who chose to build his legacy in North America rather than Europe.
His decision to stay in Portland and become a club legend rather than chase bigger paydays elsewhere showed the kind of character that endears players to fans forever. When he finally retired, Portland lost more than just goals and assists.
They lost the heartbeat of their team.
8. Jaime Moreno
Bolivian icon Jaime Moreno’s longevity and consistency make him an MLS legend.
He played 340 games for DC United and MetroStars, scoring 133 goals while establishing himself as one of the most complete forwards the league has seen. His combination of goal-scoring and creative output helped DC United dominate the early MLS era.
In 2007, Moreno tied Jason Kreis as the all-time leading MLS scorer with his 108th career goal, a penalty kick against Toronto FC.
Along with Steve Ralston, Moreno played in each of the first 15 MLS seasons, a demonstration of longevity that few athletes in any sport can match.
His loyalty to MLS and his sustained excellence over more than a decade set a standard that future generations tried to live up to.
7. Carlos Vela
Carlos Vela’s arrival at LAFC in 2018 changed everything for the club and raised expectations across the league. The former Arsenal star brought European pedigree and world-class ability, scoring 93 goals in 187 games before retiring in 2024.
His creativity, flair, and goal-scoring made LAFC must-watch television and helped establish them as a powerhouse.
An MLS MVP, two Supporters’ Shields, and an MLS Cup fill his trophy cabinet. Three All-Star selections confirmed his status among the elite.
Vela showed that players in their prime could choose MLS over European leagues and still compete at the highest level. His decision to join LAFC when he could have stayed in Europe sent a message about where MLS stood in the global hierarchy.
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6. Robbie Keane
Robbie Keane’s spell with LA Galaxy from 2011 to 2016 produced goals, trophies, and memories that defined an era.
The Irish striker scored 83 goals in 125 games, proving that even at the end of his career, his predatory instincts and big-game performances remained elite. Add nine goals and six assists across 18 playoff appearances, and you see a player who elevated his game when the stakes were highest.
Three MLS Cup wins in 2011, 2012, and 2014 confirmed his impact.
He was league MVP and MLS Cup MVP in 2014, and earned four Best XI selections. Keane showed that former Premier League stars could thrive in MLS, paving the way for other European players to make the move without feeling like their careers were ending.
5. Sebastian Giovinco
Nicknamed “The Atomic Ant” for his small stature and explosive ability, Sebastian Giovinco’s time at Toronto FC was nothing short of exceptional. He scored 68 goals in 114 games while dismantling defenses with speed, technical skill, and goal-scoring prowess that few could match.
Giovinco led Toronto to its first MLS Cup in 2017, a historic achievement for Canadian soccer.
His 2015 season was legendary: Player of the Month twice, the division’s top assist provider, Golden Boot winner, and league MVP.
As a former Juventus player who joined MLS in his prime rather than as a retirement tour, Giovinco’s arrival signaled a shift in how European players viewed the league. He came to compete and dominate, and he did exactly that.
4. David Beckham
David Beckham’s arrival in 2007 changed MLS forever. On the field, his set-piece ability and vision helped LA Galaxy win back-to-back MLS Cups, contributing 18 goals in 98 games.
Off the field, his global star power raised the league’s profile internationally in ways no signing had before or has since, with the possible exception of Messi.
Beckham remains in MLS as the owner of Inter Miami, bringing Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and other stars to the league.
Even in retirement, the Englishman continues making waves, proving his impact extended far beyond his playing days.
His decision to join MLS legitimized the league in the eyes of skeptical European media and fans, opening doors that had been closed to American soccer for decades.
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3. Lionel Messi
What more can be said about Lionel Messi? Eight Ballon d’Or awards. Widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history. His legend knows no bounds.
Since joining Inter Miami, Messi has already propelled the club to their first-ever trophies: the 2023 Leagues Cup, 2024 Supporters’ Shield, and 2025 MLS Cup.
The statistics are absurd: 77 goals and 43 assists in just 88 games.
Two MVP awards in 2024 and 2025. But the numbers only tell part of the story. Messi’s arrival sparked a seismic shift, drawing fans and viewers from every corner of the globe.
His impact off the field might prove just as transformative as his performances on it. He has elevated MLS to unprecedented heights, solidifying its place as a premier domestic league and igniting global enthusiasm the likes of which American soccer had never seen.
2. Chris Wondolowski
Chris Wondolowski holds the record for most goals in MLS history with 171 in 413 games. That sentence alone justifies his place near the top of this list.
His clinical finishing and consistency for San Jose Earthquakes defined what sustained excellence looks like in professional soccer.
Wondolowski is the only player in league history to score ten or more goals in ten consecutive seasons. He holds records for most road goals and most game-winning goals both home and away. The individual accolades pile up endlessly.
Surprisingly, his team success at San Jose and Houston Dynamo never quite matched his personal achievements, with just two MLS Cups in 16 years.
His place in history remains secure. No one has scored more goals in MLS than Chris Wondolowski, and that record may stand for decades.
1. Landon Donovan
Recognized as the greatest American player in soccer history, Landon Donovan’s impact on MLS goes beyond statistics, though his numbers are remarkable enough: 144 goals in 340 games, six MLS Cups, one of the league’s all-time leading scorers.
His creativity, leadership, and clutch performances for LA Galaxy defined an entire era of American soccer.
But Donovan’s importance transcends trophies. For almost a decade between 2002 and 2012, he was the driving force for MLS stability during a time when the league’s survival remained uncertain.
His performance at the 2002 World Cup, where he won Young Player of the Tournament as the United States reached the quarterfinals, helped convince decision-makers that MLS deserved to continue.
The landscape of modern soccer in the United States was given a fighting chance by Donovan. His knack for scoring goals everywhere he went opened doors for American soccer in its latest chapter of growth and international recognition.
Without Landon Donovan, there might not be an MLS for Messi to join in 2023. That’s legacy.
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