Who are the best MLS players in 2022?
This is a tough subject to address given the league’s recent surge of superstars. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt to try evaluating the best MLS players for a little lighthearted fun. The Major League Soccer (MLS), which was once thought of as a retirement league for aging football legends, has developed significantly in recent years. So much so that teams in Europe are increasingly poaching youngsters.
- Best MLS Players 2022
- Best MLS Player: Honorable Mentions
- Who is the best MLS player currently?
- Where is MLS most popular?
- Who is the biggest star in MLS?
- How much do Revolution soccer players make?
- Who is the largest MLS club?
- What is the minimum salary for MLS?
- Is MLS growing in popularity?
- How much do MLS referees make?
- What is the biggest MLS rivalry?
- Who is the richest MLS owner?
- Is MLS more popular than NHL?
Best MLS Players 2022
- Douglas Costa (LA Galaxy)
Douglas Costa was once regarded as one of the deadliest wingers on the planet. The skillful Brazilian starred for Bayern Munich and Juventus at the peak of his powers.
Of course, the 31-year-old is no longer at the peak of his powers, but he is still one of the best players in Major League Soccer.
Having won 3 Bundesliga titles and 3 Serie A titles, Costa joined Brazilian side Gremio before joining the LA Galaxy for the 2022 season.
- Javier Hernandez (LA Galaxy)
Former Manchester United, Real Madrid, and West Ham striker Chicharito moved to the MLS in 2020.
Last season, the Mexican scored 17 goals in 21 games for the Galaxy. Despite missing 13 games due to injury, he finished just two goals behind the 2021 MLS Golden Boot winner, Valentin Castellanos. Javier Hernández is also one of the highest-paid MLS players.
- Luiz Araujo (Atlanta United)
Araujo, who joined the league recently (on August 6, 2021), became instantly recognizable in Atlanta over the second half of the previous season. Araujo, 25, is very versatile and can play up front, on the right side of the offensive line, or in the back of the midfield.
The Brazilian winger is very versatile because he can play in midfield, up forward, or on the right side of the attacking line. Atlanta United’s forward line has become more formidable since Araujo’s arrival.
- Lorenzo Insigne (Toronto FC)
Insigne is a massive get for Toronto FC, and he makes the top half of this list even though he won’t be joining until mid-season.
Still, there’s a lot for the Italians to prove. He has suffered through a very difficult season at Napoli, with just six league goals in 20 appearances, beset by nagging calf and adductor injuries
- Gareth Bale (Los Angeles FC)
Gareth Bale is widely regarded as one of the greatest wingers of his generation and one of the greatest Welsh players of all time. After a glittering career at Southampton, Tottenham, and Real Madrid, he moved to the MLS this summer.
Bale made his MLS debut for Los Angeles FC in July and scored his first goal in the following match against Sporting Kansas City.
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- Carlos Vela (Los Angeles FC)
Former Arsenal midfielder Carlos Vela has been one of the best players in the MLS in the last decade. He missed most of the 2020 campaign due to injury. He was also sidelined for much of last season with a hamstring issue.
But the Mexican magician hit the ground running with a hat-trick on his first appearance in the 2022 season. Those who follow Major League Soccer closely know exactly how good Vela is.
As it stands, the 33-year-old has notched 75 goals and 36 assists in 127 appearances for LAFC. With an incredible 34 goals in 31 games during the 2019 campaign, he is officially the most prolific MLS Golden Boot winner of all time. Carlos Vela currently has 8 goals and 7 assists this season.
- Carles Gil (New England Revolution)
Carles Gil won the 2021 MLS MVP award as the best player. His 18 assists led New England Revolution to clinch the 2021 Supporters’ Shield.
Gil hasn’t stopped this season, as he already has 5 goals and 8 assists in 2022. What makes the diminutive midfielder one of the best soccer players in the MLS is his superior playmaking capabilities and technical intelligence.
- Daniel Gazdag
He has also provided 4 assists for his side. He is a magnificent passer of the ball, a top-notch playmaker, and a decent goalscorer. The Hungary international is highly rated by pundits and is regarded as one of the best midfielders in the MLS.
- Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
- Josef Martinez (Atlanta United)
So far, across 151 matches for Atlanta United, Josef Martinez has netted an astonishing 108 goals! The 28-year-old won both the MVP and Golden Boot in 2018 after guiding Atlanta to MLS Cup glory. He bagged 31 goals in 34 regular-season games that year before scoring four goals in five post-season appearances.
He holds the MLS record for career hat-tricks with six in his first 44 games, the record for cumulative goals in regular and post-season with 35, and the record for most consecutive games with a goal (15). Additionally, Martinez scored 100 goals in the MLS faster than any single player in history (125 games).
In 2018, Martínez became the most decorated single-season player in MLS history by winning the League MVP, All-Star Game MVP, Golden Boot, and MLS Cup Final MVP.
One of the league’s most dangerous players, if not the most dangerous, is Martinez. He needs assistance up front, which is why the club just made significant acquisitions in Thiago Almada and Luiz Araujo. Almada is a player for the future and still has to improve, but Araujo proved his abilities by settling into MLS after just a few games and then providing four goals and three assists in the last weeks of the previous season.
Best MLS Player: Honorable Mentions
Andre Blake (GK, Philadelphia Union)
Easily the league’s best remaining goalkeeper once Turner departs, Blake’s steadiness has peaked into match-winning performances.
Aaron Long (CB, NY Red Bulls)
Long is returning from an ACL tear, but with the defender back to 100 percent, he could challenge Zimmerman for Defender of the Year honors.
Kai Wagner (LB, Philadelphia Union)
One of the league’s bright young fullback talents, Wagner is one of the standouts on a Philadelphia squad lacking high-profile stars.
Mark-Anthony Kaye (CM, Colorado Rapids)
Kaye’s development has been slow, but he showed flashes of brilliance at LAFC, and if he can continue to cut down on the disciplinary issues, he could be one of the league’s best No. 8’s.
Facundo Torres (ACM, Orlando City SC)
It’s tough to put a total newcomer onto the Top 10 list with little to back it up from elsewhere, but at just 21 years old, Torres is already an accomplished player.
Raul Ruidiaz (FW, Seattle Sounders)
Ruidiaz has double-digit goals in all four of his MLS campaigns, including the COVID-shortened 2020 season. He’s as consistent as goalscorers come.
Brian White (FW, Vancouver Whitecaps)
The American doesn’t have quite the resume to back up a spot on the list, but 12 goals and five assists last season after moving from the Red Bulls certainly caught the eye.
FAQ
Who is the best MLS player currently?
- Hany Mukhtar. Midfielder · Nashville SC.
- José Cifuentes. Midfielder · Los Angeles Football Club.
- Jesús Ferreira. Forward · FC Dallas.
- Thiago Eduardo Andrade. Forward · New York City FC.
- Taxiarchis Fountas. Forward · D.C. United.
- Leonardo Campana. Forward · Inter Miami CF.
- Dayne St. Clair. …
- Drake Callender.
Where is MLS most popular?
Atlanta United averaged 43,965 fans per home match in 2021, the highest average attendance of any Major League Soccer (MLS) team. FC Cincinnati and Seattle Sounders were placed second and third, respectively.
Who is the biggest star in MLS?
- David Beckham, LA Galaxy.
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy.
- Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls
- Wayne Rooney, D.C. United
- Kaká, Orlando City
- Andrea Pirlo, NYCFC
- Didier Drogba, Montreal Impact
- Frank Lampard, NYCFC.
- Landon Donovan
How much do Revolution soccer players make?
The annual wage cost for every player in the New England Revolution is $9,529,000, with the average player salary being $366,500. Consequently, they are the ninth-highest paid team in the MLS.
Who is the largest MLS club?
Atlanta United and LA Galaxy were the two most valuable MLS teams in 2021, with team values of 845 and 835 million U.S. dollars, respectively. Los Angeles FC was the most valued MLS team in 2021.
What is the minimum salary for MLS?
Is MLS growing in popularity?
Globally, the value of the top 20 soccer teams is $2.53 billion, a 10% increase from 2021. The MLS has been expanding. Since 2017 the league has grown from 20 to 28 franchises. St.
How much do MLS referees make?
Level 1 officials make $565 per game, assistant officials make $255 per game, and fourth officials make $185 every game. Level 2 referees will have a little bit more experience and earn $670 every game, between 21 and 40 games.
What is the biggest MLS rivalry?
When it comes to rivalries in MLS, there is none better than the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers.
Who is the richest MLS owner?
Stan Kroenke, the president of the Colorado Rapids, is directly behind Anschutz. His business, Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, also owns the Premier League team Arsenal. Kroenke is worth $10.7 billion.
Is MLS more popular than NHL?
While soccer’s relevance has been questioned by critics for many years, recent figures indicate that Major League Soccer (MLS) now averages higher attendance numbers than both the NHL and NBA respectively.