The 10 Greatest Ever Soccer Players in Mls History

Walter Zenga (New England Revolution)helm of Toronto FC.
The man they nicknamed Uomo Ragno (Spider-Man),Mo Johnston's last minute winner for Rangers vs
was an ever present in the Inter Milan goal through theCeltic, 1989
1980's, making no less than 328 appearances andDenilson (FC Dallas)
appearing for his country 58 times.At 21, Denilson became the most expensive player in
Even more impressively, in Italia 90 set a record ofthe world when Spanish outfit Real Betis paid
keeping 5 consecutive clean sheets, totalling 518approximately $32,000,000 to Sao Paulo for his
minutes without conceding a goal, a record that stillservices. Renowned for his dazzling stepovers and
stands today.skinning opponents on the left flank, he was regarded
He is now the manager of Serie A side Catania.as one of the most promising players the game had
Richard Gough (Kansas City Wizards/San Jose Clash)seen.
A no-nonsense centre half and one of GlasgowSadly, the promise he showed never really developed,
Rangers most successful ever players, winning 9 titlesmostly down to his selfish play by holding on the ball
as part of the infamous '9 in a row' team. Gough alsofor too long, or as the UK would say, 'ball-hogging'.
amassed 61 appearances for the Scottish nationalHe only played 7 games for Dallas before returning to
side. His spell at Rangers was interrupted by a briefhis native Brazil.
stint with Tottenham Hotspur, only to return toCarlos Valderrama (Tampa Bay Mutiny, Miami Fusion,
Rangers, becoming the first ever Scottish player to beColorado Rapids)
sold for over £1,000,000.Considered the greatest Colombian player of all time,
He spent 2 years in the MLS with Kansas Cityhis creativity and flare was only surpassed by his hair -
Wizards and San Jose Cash, being named in the MLSa curly orange electrified afro. Elegant and intelligent
XI of the Year whilst with the Wizards.with the ball at his feet, El Pibe (The Kid) never actually
Lothar Matthaus (Metrostars)ran anywhere on the pitch, but with his level of skill,
Perhaps not just one of the greatest players in thewhy bother? His status of legend was confirmed in
history of the MLS, but in the history of soccer. Winning2006, when a 22 foot bronze statue of him was
World Soccer Player of the Year, European Footballererected in his home town of Santa Marta. Brilliant.
of the year and Fifa World Player of the Year,Spending 6 years in the US, Valderrama still holds the
Matthaus could play in defence or midfield, with arecord for the most assists.
rocket right foot that earned him the status ofYouri Djorkaeff (Metrostars)
Germany's most capped player.Aptly nicknamed 'Snake', Djorkaeff was a cultivated
His managerial career, however, has not been asattacking midfielder and formed a crucial partnership
successful as his playing days, with short spells inwith Zinedine Zidane, resulting in France winning the 98
Brazil, Austria and Serbia, and as of now in Israel asWorld Cup and Euro 2000.
the manager of Maccabi Netanya.Banging the goals in for Monaco, he spent one season
Roberto Donadoni (Metrostars)at Paris St Germain before signing for Italian giants
A vital key in AC Milan's success through the 80s andInter Milan and Kaiserslautern, when somehow Bolton
90s, when very few could argue against them beingWanderers persuaded him to sign.
the best club side in the world (other than Barcelona'sHe became Metrostars 'MVP' during his brief spell in
dream team). Notorious for effortlessly running pastthe US, before an ankle injury forced him to retire.
players on the right flank, Donadoni collected 5 Serie AHristo Stoichkov (Chicago Fire, DC United)
titles, 3 European Cups, 3 European Super Cups and 2Unpredictable and quite possibly insane, this tricky
Intercontinental cups before moving on to theBulgarian had everything: pace, mesmerizing dribbling
Metrostars, where he was named in the Best XI in theand a devastating shot. Barcelona snapped him up
1996 Season.from CSKA Sofia, where his temperament, passion
Now boss of the Italian national side, Italy are left withand goal scoring record immortalized him as a
a mountain to climb in order to progress to the quarterBarcelona great.
finals after disastrous results against Holland andHe was also instrumental in Bulgaria's unexpected run
Romania.in the 94 World Cup, during which time they made it to
Maurice 'Mo' Johnston (Kansas City Wizards)the semi final, losing to Italy. Stoichkov also earned the
Mo Johnston was a Scottish centre forward startingGolden Boot, finishing joint-top with Russia's Oleg
his career with Partick Thistle, and then spending aSolenko.
couple of seasons at Watford before his move toDavid Beckham (LA Galaxy)
Celtic that would later earn him hatred acrossThe man who needs no introduction, 'Goldenballs' is the
Glasgow.most famous soccer player on the planet, who's brand
Leaving Celtic for Nantes, vowing to never return tois more renowned than his free kicks and
Scotland, Johnston reconsidered and done a U-Turn,defence-splitting passes.
claiming to sign for Celtic again at the end of theA style icon for every male in Britain whilst playing for
season. As the summer approached, JohnstonManchester Utd, Beckham's commitments to his life
changed his mind once more, this time signing for archaway from soccer meant that his relationship with Sir
rivals Rangers. This infuriated Rangers fans asAlex Ferguson was likely to deteriorate, as it did to the
Johnston is an ex Celtic player and supporter, butextent that Ferguson managed to kick a soccer boot
worse still, he was Roman Catholic. Celtic fans turnedat Beckham's eye, requiring stitches.
on him, opting for the nickname of Judas, replacing hisFast forward a couple of years, Beckham joins 'Los
former moniker of MoJo, Rangers fans disliked himGalacticos', winning the Supercup in his first season. He
from the start.had to wait until 2007 for a major honour though, when
Nevertheless, he scored 46 goals in 100 games,Real won the Primera league.
before moving back to England with Everton. ThisWhilst at Galaxy, his career has seen a couple of
unsuccessful spell was followed by brief stints withmilestones, a 100th cap for the England national team,
Falkirk and Hearts, before joining the Kansas Cityand a stunning 70 yard goal against Kansas City
Wizards, spending 5 seasons there.Wizards, almost mirroring his efforts for Man Utd
Hw was more recently head coach of Metrostars,against Wimbledon in 1996.
before being given his marching orders, taking over the