The 25 greatest MLS players of all time

The star defensive midfielder played 21 seasons in MLS, with the final 14 coming as a member of Real Salt Lake, where he just might be the greatest player in club history. Beckerman also captained the RSL club that won the 2009 MLS Cup. His 498 regular-season appearances rank second all time, and he was a nine-time MLS All-Star pick. Beckerman totaled 41 goals and 55 assists during his regular-season league career.

One of the legends of international soccer and still an England favorite. Beckham spent just six seasons in MLS, and was amid loan transfers for a decent portion of that time. But when he gave his full focus to the league, Beckham helped the Los Angeles Galaxy win the MLS Cup in each of his final two seasons -- 2011, '12. The three-time All-Star recorded 18 goals in 98 regular-season MLS appearances. Beckham again put his stamp on MLS as president and co-owner of  Inter Miami CF.

When it comes to all-time great MLS defenders, Bocanegra just might be the best. The MLS Rookie of the Year with Chicago in 2000, Bocanegra was also the first two-time winner of the league's defender of the year (2002, '03) award -- also with the Fire. Bocanegra was twice named an MLS All-Star and won the U.S. Open Cup with the Fire. After playing nearly a decade in Europe, Bocanegra closed out his club career with two seasons for Chivas USA.

Among the all-time great offensive players in MLS history. De Rosario ranks 11th (as of May 2025) in league history with 104 goals spanning 343 regular-season matches and 14 seasons. De Rosario, who played for five different MLS clubs, was a seven-time All-Star and the league's MVP in 2011, when he scored 16 combined goals for Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls and D.C. United. In addition, De Rosario was part of four MLS Cup champion teams -- San Jose (2001, '03) and Houston (2006, '07).

In the running for the greatest American soccer player of all time, Dempsey spent nearly a decade in MLS, when all was said and done. The league's rookie of the year in 2004 with New England, Dempsey was an All-Star pick in six of his nine MLS seasons. A member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, Dempsey won the MLS Cup with Seattle. Including the playoffs, Dempsey totaled 79 goals during his MLS career. He scored a career-high 16 for Seattle in 2014. 

In the conversation with the aforementioned Clint Dempsey, when it comes to the greatest American soccer player of all time, Donovan has long been the poster boy for the U.S. game (no offense, Christian Pulisic). Donovan ranks third all-time with 145 MLS goals and is the league's career leader with 136 assists while starring for San Jose and the Los Angeles Galaxy. A 14-time All-Star, Donovan, whose name graces the league's Most Valuable Player award, was the 2009 MLS MVP and, perhaps most impressive, is the league's all-time leader with six MLS Cup titles -- two with San Jose (2001, '03) and four as a member of the Galaxy (2005,  '11, '12, '14).

Talk about making the most of a short time. Giovinco's MLS career spanned just four seasons, all with Toronto FC. However, the star Italian, whose pro career began with mighty Juventus, managed 73 goals and 57 assists in 125 regular-season and playoff matches. Twice, Giovinco recorded more than 20 goals and helped Toronto win the 2017 MLS Cup and three Canadian Championships.

AKA "El Gato,' for his cat-like reflexes and quickness. Hartman is one of the most decorated players in MLS. A five-time All-Star, Hartman played for the Los Angeles Galaxy, Kansas City Wizards, FC Dallas and New York Red Bulls. Hartman, a two-time MLS Cup champion with the Galaxy (2002, '05), received five All-Star selections and ranks second in the league with 416 career appearances, 180 wins, and 112 clean sheets. He's also the first MLS keeper to record consecutive 20-win seasons (1998-'99).

Another early star of Major League Soccer, Jones spent his entire American club career with the Los Angeles Galaxy, and remains one of the great names in U.S. soccer. Jones, who won two MLS Cups with the Galaxy (2002, '05), was a nine-time All-Star, who ranks among the league's career leaders with 91 assists. Jones also spent time on the Galaxy coaching staff when his playing career ended,

Most recently in the league in 2024, Kamara has long been an ageless wonder in terms of football prowess while playing into his 40s. Kamara is second in MLS history with 147 goals, a feat accomplished while playing for 11 different clubs. His 445 league appearances (in the regular season) are an all-time record. A two-time MLS All-Star, Kamara never won an MLS Cup, but remains one of the great humanitarians and well-respected players ever to grace the league.

Following a legendary career in the English Premier League, Keane proved he could still compete at a high level in MLS. Including the playoffs, Keane recorded 92 MLS goals, to go along with 51 assists during his six seasons -- all spent building his historic brand name with the Los Angeles Galaxy. Three times, Keane totaled at least 20 regular-season and playoff goals. He helped the Galaxy to three MLS Cups (2011, '12, '14). The three-time All-Star was named MLS Cup MVP in 2014. 

Another great American defender, Marshall spent his entire club career in MLS. Most notably with the Columbus Crew, but he also starred for Seattle. In fact, Marshall won the MLS Cup with each side and was named MLS Defender of Year in 2008 and '09 for the Crew, then in 2014 for the Sounders. A four-time All-Star, Marshall was well known for his tough-as-nails defensive style, but also posted nearly 30 career MLS goals.

The first of a handful of active players (as of the 2025 season) to make our list. The Venezuelan superstar made a name for himself on the American front with Atlanta United, and his 31 goals from 2018, when he helped that club win the MLS Cup, are second all-time for a single season. Martinez, who has totaled more than 20 overall goals in the league, is the only player league history to win MLS All-Star Game MVP, MLS Cup MVP and MLS MVP in the same season (2018).

A name synonymous with U.S. soccer, Meola was one of the original stars of MLS with the NY/NJ MetroStars. A five-time All-Star, Meola then helped Kansas City win the 2000 MLS Cup, the same season he became the first -- and only -- goalkeeper to be named the league's MVP. He was also named MLS Comeback Player of the Year in 2000. A great ambassador of the game in America and MLS, Meola remains one of the most respect names in soccer.

As of 2025, Messi was still among the marquee attractions in MLS. And, while some American soccer fans would question his inclusion on this list, it's important to remember how significant a moment it was for this iconic superstar to join MLS. The anticipation was even greater than David Beckham or Wayne Rooney's arrival. Though Messi has struggled to stay healthy for Inter Miami, young soccer fans around the U.S. sport his jersey. And, he did score 21 goals and register 17 assists in 22 overall league matches in 2024.

Moreno spent all but one of his 15 MLS seasons playing for D.C. United, where he's arguably the best player in club history. He also won four MLS Cups with United (1996, 1997, 1999,  2004). At the time of his retirement, Moreno was the league leader with 133 career goals. His 102 regular-season assists also rank among MLS all-time leaders. He joins Landon Donovan as the only MLS players to record at least 100 goals and 100 assists. The seven-time All-Star also posted 12 goals and 10 assists in playoff action.

Another exceptional U.S. product on both the club and country stage. Pope's MLS career was mostly spent with D.C. United, with whom he won three MLS Cups (1996, '97, '99) and notched the golden goal in the first championship match of 1996. From there, Pope made stops with the MetroStars and Real Salt Lake. An All-Star staple, Pope was also named MLS Defender of the Year in his second league campaign of 1997.

Also one of the great indoor players of all time, Preki (aka Predrag Radosavljevic) is another original MLS star, playing for the Kansas City Wizards and Miami Fusion. He remains the only player in league history to win two MLS MVP awards, doing so with Kansas City in 1997 and again in 2003. An MLS Cup champion with the Wizards in 2000, Preki still sits among the all-time MLS leaders with 112 assists and 79 goals.

From a statistical standpoint, no keeper in MLS history has done it longer and better than Rimando. He is the league's career leader in regular-season appearances (514), wins by a goalkeeper (223), clean sheets (154) and saves (1,701). While starring for the Miami Fusion, D.C. Rimando, who won the MLS Cup with United and Real Salt Lake in 2004 and '09, respectively, was a nine-time All-Star selection. 

The colorful Valderrama was among the marquee names added to kickoff Major League Soccer back in the mid-1990s. A member of the Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion and Colorado Rapids, Valderrama still remains among the league leaders with 114 assists. Meanwhile, his 26 assists from the 2000 season are still the most for a single campaign. On five occasions, Valderrama was selected as an MLS All-Star.

The star Argentinian is arguably the greatest player in the history of the Portland Timbers, the club he spent his entire MLS career with. Valeri recorded 92 goals and 99 assists in 284 regular-season and playoff appearances. In 2015, he helped lead Portland to the MLS Cup and was named MVP of the final. Two years later, Valeri was named MLS MVP, when he totaled a career-high 21 overall goals. He was also a five-time MLS All-Star selection.

Another international player who found MLS stardom late in his career. Vela enjoyed a magical season in 2019 for LAFC (the club he spent his entire MLS), when he set a single-year league record with 34 goals. He was also named MLS MVP that season, and Vela went on to post 80 regular-season and postseason goals during his career in the league. Though Vela was not nearly as productive following that 2019 campaign, he did help LAFC win the 2022 MLS Cup.

The man known as "Wondo," Wondolowski is league's all-time leading goal scorer with 171 goals spread out over 413 appearances and 17 MLS seasons. Most of those were spent with the San Jose Earthquakes, where Wondolowski is an undisputed legend. He's the only player in MLS history to top the 150-goal mark, but reached 20 just once in a season. Early in his career, Wondolowski was part of two MLS Cup-winning clubs in Houston, and appeared in five MLS All-Star contests.

Following a lengthy run within the English club scene, Wright-Phillips truly found his form in America through MLS. He spent all but two of his MLS seasons with New York Red Bulls, and ranks among the career top five with 117 goals. Until 2018, Wright-Phillips' 27 goals from 2014 were the most in a single MLS season. Though Wright-Phillips never won an MLS Cup, he was part of three Supporters' Shield-winning clubs.

As of 2025, Zimmerman was still among the top active players in MLS. And, when it comes time to hang up the boots, Zimmerman should still be considered among the greatest defenders to ever play in the league. The All-Star began his career with FC Dallas, but truly earned his star status with LAFC and continues to shine with Nashville SC. Zimmerman was named MLS Defender of the Year in both 2020 and '21 -- his first two seasons in Nashville.