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MLS went from strength to strength in the 2010s, the USA’s ever-increasing high league persevering with to grow with the addition of more fresh golf equipment.
And it changed into helped alongside by some high abilities, from homegrown heroes to global superstars making the switch to the States.
Right here, FourFourTwo counts down the best MLS players of that decade…
34. Andrea Pirlo (Recent York Metropolis)
He can even need made the go to Recent York Metropolis to wind down in his closing two-and-a-half seasons earlier than retirement, but iconic, metronomic Italian playmaker Andrea Pirlo remained a joy to envision all the intention by the Atlantic.
Pirlo made 60 MLS appearances for Recent York in all, inserting up his boots at the cease of the 2017 marketing campaign.
33. Steven Gerrard (LA Galaxy)
Another of the most captivating midfielders of his era, Steven Gerrard ended his 26-twelve months affiliation with boyhood club Liverpool when he joined the LA Galaxy forward of the 2015 MLS marketing campaign.
Incorporated in the 2015 MLS All-Megastar group, Gerrard grew to turn out to be the 2d ex-England captain to play for the Galaxy – after David Beckham.
32. Steven Beitashour (San Jose Earthquakes, Vancouver Whitecaps, Toronto FC, LAFC)
Capped six times by Iran, Steven Beitashour changed into born in California and spent his complete occupation in the USA, starting out with place of origin club San Jose Earthquakes – where he won the 2012 MLS Supporters’ Defend (the trophy given to the group with the best traditional season file).
The correct-support at closing bought his arms on the MLS Cup (the outright title) with Toronto FC in 2017.
31. Alejandro Bedoya (Philadelphia Union)
Born in Recent Jersey, Alejandro Bedoya had spells in Sweden, Scotland and France earlier than playing in his place of origin for the first time – after becoming a member of the Philadelphia Union from Nantes in 2016.
Made club captain in 2017, the 66-cap USA midfielder made 103 MLS appearances for the Union between his arrival and the cease of the 2010s.
30. Osvaldo Alonso (Seattle Sounders, Minnesota United)
Nicknamed ‘Honey Badger’ for his aggressive kind of midfield play, Osvaldo joined the Seattle Sounders in 2009 and racked up 278 MLS appearances over the route of a 9-twelve months follow the club.
A 2016 MLS Cup winner, the Cuban global changed into voted an MLS All-Megastar in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014.
29. Cyle Larin (Orlando Metropolis)
An impressive three seasons for Orlando Metropolis earned Canada forward Cyle Larin a sizable go to Europe with Turkish giants Besiktas in 2018.
Named 2015 MLS Rookie of the twelve months, Larin – who changed into chosen first general in the 2015 SuperDraft – scored 43 targets in 87 league outings for Orlando.
28. Nemanja Nikolic (Chicago Fire)
Signed from Poland’s Legia Warsaw forward of the 2017 season, Nemanja Nikolic notched 24 targets in 34 games in the route of his first marketing campaign at Chicago Fire.
That saw the Hungary striker scoop the Golden Boot and opt up a space in the MLS Best XI – as well to a nomination for MVP.
27. Ignacio Piatti
An MLS All-Megastar three years working between 2016 and 2018, Argentine winger Ignacio Piatti has to head down as one of the most captivating players in the short history of CF Montreal (Montreal Affect until 2021).
Versatile enough to be deployed in all manner of attacking roles, Piatti chanced on the web 66 times in 135 MLS outings for the Canadian side.
26. Stefan Frei (Toronto FC, Seattle Sounders)
Swiss-born goalkeeper Stefan Frei moved to the USA as a 15-twelve months-oldschool and made his MLS debut, for Toronto FC, almost in the present day earlier than his 23rd birthday.
Frei would go on to rack up larger than 250 appearances in the competition in the route of the 2010s – most of them for the Seattle Sounders, where he changed into a title winner in 2016 and 2019.
25. Mike Magee (LA Galaxy, Chicago Fire)
On the complete a regular goalscorer rather than a prolific one, Mike Magee chanced on the web 21 times in the route of the 2013 MLS season – midway in which the LA Galaxy traded him to his place of origin club, Chicago Fire.
These exploits in entrance of purpose saw Magee precise the 2013 MVP award. He returned to the Galaxy in 2016, seeing out his occupation there.
24. Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps, FC Cincinnati)
One of the best centre-backs in MLS history, Costa Rica traditional Kendall Waston changed into voted the Vancouver Whitecaps’ Participant of the twelve months in 2015 and 2017, making the MLS Best XI in every of these years.
A mammoth presence at six-foot-5 huge, Waston reached the playoffs thrice with the Whitecaps earlier than becoming a member of FC Cincinnati for their inaugural MLS marketing campaign of 2019.
23. Frank Lampard (Recent York Metropolis)
One of the biggest superstars ever to characteristic in MLS, Chelsea and England sage Frank Lampard wound down his playing days with an 18-month spell at Recent York Metropolis.
Lampard averaged better than a purpose every other game for Recent York, bagging 15 targets in 29 MLS outings. He additionally looked in the 2015 All-Megastar Game alongside Steven Gerrard.
22. Carlos Vela (LAFC)
Named 2019 MVP after a prolific 34-purpose season, Carlos Vela averaged 0.8 targets per game all the intention by his first two campaigns with LAFC – who he joined for their 2018 MLS debut.
As soon as of Arsenal and West Brom, the Mexican global’s hatful of targets in 2019 fired LAFC to the Supporters’ Defend.
21. Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy, Toronto FC)
A three-time MLS Cup winner with the LA Galaxy between 2011 and 2014, towering centre-half Omar Gonzalez made the league’s Best XI in four of the first 5 years of the 2010s.
Capped 52 times by the USA – who he represented at the 2014 World Cup – Gonzalez is an all-time MLS defensive huge.
20. Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo, Carrying Kansas Metropolis)
A six-time MLS All-Megastar, together with in every of the first four years of the 2010s, Brad Davis is one of the Houston Dynamo’s most captivating ever players.
Vastly ingenious from the heart of the park – Davis’ 123 assists are amongst the most in MLS history – the 17-cap USA global achieved changed into a finalist for the 2011 MVP.
19. Matt Besler (Carrying Kansas Metropolis)
Versatile central defender Matt Besler spent the entirety of the 2010s with place of origin club Carrying Kansas Metropolis, helping them to MLS Cup glory in 2013.
Captain from 2014 until his departure in 2020, Besler – who won 47 caps for the USA – changed into named 2012 MLS Defender of the twelve months and made the All-Megastar group on four occasions.
18. Federico Higuain (Columbus Crew, D.C. United)
MLS Newcomer of the twelve months in 2012, adaptable forward Federico Higuain grew to turn out to be Columbus Crew’s file signing when he arrived from Argentine outfit Colón.
A 2015 Eastern Conference title winner, Higuain notched 55 targets in 193 MLS games in the route of a seven-twelve months follow Columbus, leaving for D.C. United at the cease of the 2019 season.
17. Nicolas Lodeiro (Seattle Sounders)
A two-time Eredivisie champion at Ajax early in the 2010s, Nicolas Lodeiro ended the decade with the Seattle Sounders, having moved from Boca Juniors in 2016.
And the 60-cap Uruguay attacking midfielder had an instant influence in the States, claiming MLS Newcomer of the twelve months as he captained the Sounders to their first of two league titles in the space of four years.
16. Benny Feilhaber (Recent England Revolution, Carrying Kansas Metropolis, LAFC, Colorado Rapids)
Born in Brazil, Benny Feilhaber grew up in the USA and ended up representing the country at global level – as well to taking part in a memorable MLS occupation.
The highlight for the 2015 All-Megastar midfielder changed into winning the 2013 MLS Cup with Carrying Kansas Metropolis – for whom he made 150 league appearances in the route of a 5-twelve months spell.
15. Bill Hamid (D.C. United)
D.C. United huge Bill Hamid made his senior debut in 2010 at the age of appropriate 19, turning into the youngest goalkeeper to discover a game in MLS history.
By the cease of the decade, Hamid – a member of the USA’s 2013 and 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup-winning squads – had chalked up over 200 appearances for United (either side of a temporary stint with Midtjylland of Denmark), where he won MLS Goalkeeper of the twelve months in 2014.
14. Matt Hedges (FC Dallas)
A highly fixed centre-half, Matt Hedges changed into voted MLS Defender of the twelve months in 2016 – when he additionally helped FC Dallas to the Supporters’ Defend.
Dallas skipper from 2014, Hedges – a 2017 CONCACAF Gold Cup winner with the USA – location a fresh all-time look file for the Texas club in 2020.
13. Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy)
In 2015, the MLS’ MVP Award changed into renamed the Landon Donovan MVP Award – which tells you all or not it’s mandatory to be taught about the most captivating American footballer of all time.
Debuting for the LA Galaxy in 2005, Donovan – who earned a whopping 157 caps for the USA – remained with the club for 9 years, captaining them to MLS Cup victory in 2011, 2012 and 2014.
He retired in 2014, solely to enjoy a temporary comeback for the Galaxy two years later.
12. Josef Martinez (Atlanta United)
Following spells in Europe with Young Boys and Torino, Venezuela striker Josef Martinez returned to the Americas in 2017, becoming a member of Atlanta United in an preliminary mortgage deal.
Martinez’s file of 5 MLS targets in precisely three appearances in the route of that mortgage spell changed into a tag of issues to procedure: he struck 77 times in the route of his first three seasons with Atlanta, firing them to the 2018 MLS Cup and winning MVP in the process.
11. Cut Rimando (Right Salt Lake)
A natty sheet machine, Cut Rimando is correct up there with the best goalkeepers ever to grace MLS – where he made it into six All-Megastar groups and won Assign of the twelve months thrice in the route of the 2010s.
On the short side for a ‘keeper at 5-foot-9, Rimando joined Right Salt Lake in 2007 and went on to amass 369 MLS appearances for the club, inserting up his gloves in 2019 oldschool 40.
10. Lee Nguyen (Recent England Revolution, LAFC)
Nominated for MVP in 2014, Lee Nguyen changed into amongst MLS’ standout midfielders of the 2010s, making the switch from Vietnamese soccer in December 2011 and starring for the Recent England Revolution and LAFC.
A 9-time USA global, Nguyen helped Recent England to the 2014 MLS Cup closing and LA to the 2019 Supporters’ Defend.
9. Kei Kamara (Carrying Kansas Metropolis, Columbus Crew, Recent England Revolution, Vancouver Whitecaps, Colorado Rapids)
One of the all-time high scorers in MLS, Kei Kamara chanced on the web step by step for a lot of golf equipment in the route of the 2010s.
The ex-Sierra Leone global’s best spell got here in the colours of Columbus Crew, where he bagged 27 targets in 41 league outings, winning the 2015 Eastern Conference title and making that season’s MLS Best XI.
8. Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)
A 2012/13 and 2013/14 Serie A champion with Juventus, diminutive Italy forward Sebastian Giovinco sprung one thing of a shock by departing for Toronto FC in January 2015.
Drawing procedure his 28th birthday at the time, Giovinco changed into quiet in his high – and he looked a class apart in MLS, picking up MVP in his first season, when he scored 22 of his complete 68 targets in the league.
Two years later, he starred as Toronto lifted their maiden MLS Cup.
7. Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers)
Argentine attacking midfielder Diego Valeri spent his complete MLS occupation with Portland Timbers, guaranteeing legendary station by scoring 86 targets in 262 appearances between 2013 and 2021.
MLS’ main support provider in 2013, Valeri helped the Timbers to the title in 2015 – earlier than claiming the final individual accolade of MVP another two years later.
6. Bradley Wright-Phillips (Recent York Crimson Bulls)
Following stints with Manchester Metropolis, Southampton, Plymouth, Charlton and Brentford, Bradley Wright-Phillips headed Stateside – and that’s where he played for the the rest of his occupation.
For most of his 9 years all the intention by the pond, the striker changed into an Englishman in Recent York, turning into the Crimson Bulls’ all-time main goalscorer (he notched 108 targets in 195 MLS appearances), winning two Golden Boots, three Supporters’ Shields and earning a 2016 MVP nomination.
5. Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
MLS’ all-time main goalscorer, Chris Wondolowski changed into in his high with the San Jose Earthquakes, returning for his 2d spell in 2009 and spending the final 12 years of his occupation there.
In the 2010s alone, the 35-cap USA frontman bagged 152 targets at a median of appropriate over 15 per season, winning the Golden Boot in 2010 and 2012, and the Supporters’ Defend and MVP in the latter.
4. Thierry Henry (Recent York Crimson Bulls)
Simply one of the most captivating players of all time, World Cup, Champions League and Premier League winner Thierry Henry graced MLS with his presence from 2010 to 2014, notching 51 targets in 122 appearances for the Recent York Crimson Bulls.
An MLS All-Megastar in four of his 5 seasons with the Crimson Bulls, the silky-gentle Frenchman helped the club to two Eastern Conference titles and the 2013 Supporters’ Defend – receiving an MVP nomination that identical twelve months.
3. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (LA Galaxy)
As debuts go, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s for the LA Galaxy wasn’t too shabby: the enigmatic Swedish icon got here off the bench to secure a match-winning brace – a forty five-yard half-volley and a 91st-minute headed winner – as his fresh group fought support to beat local opponents LAFC 4-3 in the first ever El Trafico derby.
That location the tone for Zlatan’s temporary but fully prolific MLS occupation: he scored 52 targets in 56 games. To be aesthetic, he by no manner changed into one to carry out issues by half measures.
2. David Villa (Recent York Metropolis)
A key member of Spain’s Euro 2008 and 2010 World Cup-winning sides, David Villa swapped La Liga for MLS forward of the 2015 season – and he wasted no time in guaranteeing he would go down as one of the best ever to play in the States.
Voted league MVP in 2016 – and Recent York Metropolis’s MVP in 2015, 2016 and 2017 – Villa chalked up 77 targets in 117 MLS matches.
1. Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)
Signed in 2011 after leaving Tottenham, the cartwheeling frontman’s targets helped fire the Galaxy to three MLS Cup triumphs in the space of four years – whereas he changed into named MVP in 2014.
Positively one of the Republic of Ireland’s most captivating players of all time, Robbie Keane is in the same intention revered by fans of the LA Galaxy – where he wore the captain’s armband and enjoyed a trophy-laden 5-and-a-half seasons at the support cease of his occupation.
