{"numbering":"desc","slides":[{"index":15,"title":"Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Keane_R_USATSI_9388263.jpg","credit":"© Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports","published":1606869888,"caption":"

Known for his signature cartwheel goal celebration, Robbie Keane is the best Irishman to ever play in the MLS. He's also probably the league's second-best natural finisher behind a certain Swede.

Country: Republic of Ireland

International career: Set national team records by making 146 appearances and scoring 68 goals across 18 years, captaining Ireland from 2006-2016. He's also the only soccer player in world history to score an international goal each year for 19 consecutive years.

European career: Scored 126 goals for six different clubs in the Premier League, finishing his career as the league's 15th leading scorer of all time. Made his debut with Wolverhampton, but is best known for his time at Tottenham where he scored 80 goals in 197 appearances.

MLS career (LA Galaxy 2011-2016): Scored 104 goals in six seasons en route to three MLS Cups, earning 2014 MLS MVP honors in the process.

Notable accomplishments: Three-time Tottenham Player of the Year, 2014 MLS Cup MVP, 2015 MLS All-Star

"},{"index":14,"title":"Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández, LA Galaxy","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/javier-hernandez-usats.jpg","credit":"© Stephen Brashear-USA TODAY Sports","published":1607027879,"caption":"

Javier Hernández, commonly known by his nickname, Chicharito, has played for some of the most recognizable clubs in Europe, like Manchester United, Real Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and West Ham United. Before coming to MLS, plenty of American soccer fans knew him for his international career with the Mexico national team.

Country: Mexico

International career: Hernández has scored 52 goals for Mexico since debuting with the senior team in 2009, the most of any Mexico International. The striker won the Gold Cup in 2011 and has featured in three World Cups for Mexico (2010, 2014, and 2018).

European career: Hernández spent the majority of his European career with Manchester United, making 157 total appearances where he scored 59 goals with the English club.

MLS career (LA Galaxy): 23 goals in 38 games for the Galaxy

Notable accomplishments: 2x Premier League champion, 1x FIFA Club World Cup winner, 1x English Super Cup winner

"},{"index":13,"title":"Gonzalo Higuain, Inter Miami","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Higuain_G_USATSI_15035769.jpg","credit":"© Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports","published":1607030134,"caption":"

Gonzalo Higuain only just came to Miami this season, but he'll go down as one of the most prolific goalscorers of this generation.

Country: Argentina

International career: Scored 31 goals in 75 caps for Argentina, helping them to three second-place finishes at the 2014 World Cup and the following two Copa Americas.

European career: 107 goals in 190 appearances for Real Madrid; 71 goals in 104 appearances for Napoli; 48 goals in 105 Juventus appearances; 11 goals combined in short stints for Chelsea and Milan.

MLS career (Inter Miami 2020-): Made his debut on Sept. 27 before scoring a free kick on Oct. 7.

Notable accomplishments: Three domestic league titles with Real Madrid and Juventus, respectively. Three-time Serie A Team of the Year selection; two-time supporters' MVP of the Year for Juventus

"},{"index":12,"title":"Carlos Valderrama, Multiple Teams","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/cc7ab930323204fccf41f887a9ebc202.jpg","credit":"USATI","published":1607031126,"caption":"

The best hairstyle on this list and most capped Colombian of all-time brought class and skill to a league that was building from the ground up. A true trail blazer, Carlos Valderrama set the foundations for future foreign stars to play in MLS.

Country: Columbia

International career: Most-capped player in Colombian history. Played in three World Cups and five Copa América tournaments.

European career: Won the French Cup in 1990 with Montpellier.

MLS career (Tampa Bay Mutiny 1996-97, 1999-2000; Miami Fusion 1998; Colorado Rapids 2001-2002): One of the league's first superstars. One Supporters' Shield with the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 1996.

Notable accomplishments: 1995-96 MLS MVP.

"},{"index":11,"title":"Bastian Schweinsteiger, Chicago Fire","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/bastian-mls-usat.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607031518,"caption":"

Known as one of the greatest central midfielders of all time, Bastian Schweinsteiger's final stop of his career was with Chicago and the MLS after an illustrious career for both club and country.

Country: Germany

International career: 2014 World Cup champion. 24 goals in 121 caps.

European career: Eight Bundesliga and seven German Cup titles in 17 seasons with Bayern Munich. 2013 Champions League winner.

MLS career (Chicago Fire 2017-2019): Eight goals in 85 appearances in three seasons with the Chicago Fire.

Notable accomplishments: 2013 German Footballer of the Year. Captained Germany from 2014-2016.

"},{"index":10,"title":"Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Donovan_L_USATSI_8265213.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607032352,"caption":"

When MLS names its MVP award after you, then you know you've had yourself a great career. Landon Donovan had exactly that, and is widely regarded as the best American soccer player of all time.

Country: United States

International career: Tied with Dempsey for the leading goalscorer in USMNT history (57), has the most assists (58), and ranks second with appearances (157).

European career: Not as much success, but still played well on a number of loan moves to German and English clubs.

MLS career (San Jose Earthquakes 2001-04; LA Galaxy 2005-14): Holds numerous league records: assists (136), six MLS Cups, 13-time all-star.

Notable accomplishments: 2002 FIFA World Cup best young player award winner. Only player to reach the 50 goals/50 assists mark for the national team.

"},{"index":9,"title":"David Villa, NYFC","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/villa-mls-usat.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607031869,"caption":"

Perhaps Spain's greatest striker of all time, David Villa's time with Valencia then FC Barcelona translated well to the MLS as he became one of the fiercest goalscorers the league will ever see.

Country: Spain

International career: Spain's all-time leading total goal scorer (59) and World Cup goal scorer (9). First Spaniard to ever reach 50 international goals. UEFA Euro (2008) and FIFA World Cup (2010) champion.

European career: Three La Liga titles with two clubs. In his 13-year career, he scored 223 goals with five clubs. Two Champions League titles.

MLS career (NYCFC 2015-2018): First-ever player for NYCFC. Scored the side's first-ever goal. In four seasons in New York, he's scored 77 goals.

Notable accomplishments: Top scorer at Euro 2008, Silver Boot at 2010 World Cup.

"},{"index":8,"title":"Frank Lampard, NYCFC","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/lampard-mls-usat.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607033800,"caption":"

Now managing his former club, Chelsea, Frank Lampard is known for being one of the greatest goalscoring midfielders the game has ever seen -- and showed that during his two-year stint in New York.

Country: England

International career: In 2013, became the eighth player to play in 100 or more games for England.

European career: Three league, one Champions League, one Europa League and four FA Cup titles with Chelsea. 176 goals and 105 assists over 20 seasons with three clubs in England. 2005 FWA Footballer of the Year.

MLS career (NYCFC 2015-2016): 15 goals and three assists over two seasons with NYCFC.

Notable accomplishments: Three-time Chelsea Player of the Year. Chelsea's all-time leading goalscorer with 211 goals in all competitions. Fourth on the Premier League's all-time assists list.

"},{"index":7,"title":"Didier Drogba, Montreal Impact","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/drogba-mls-usat.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607034152,"caption":"

An inspiration to many modern strikers, Drogba used power and speed to score at will during his Chelsea career. During his MLS career, he scored some incredible highlight-reel goals with the Impact.

Country: Ivory Coast

International career: His 65 goals in 104 appearances for Ivory Coast make him Ivory Coast's all-time leading goalscorer. Led Ivory Coast to their first World Cup appearance in 2006; scored their first goal.

European career: 104 goals for Chelsea. Chelsea's highest-scoring foreign-born player.

MLS career (Montreal Impact 2015-2016): 21 goals in two seasons for the Montreal Impact.

Notable accomplishments: Four-time Premier League and FA Cup winner at Chelsea. First African player to score 100 Premier League goals. Two-time African Player of the Year. 2003-04 Ligue 1 Player of the Year.

"},{"index":6,"title":"Andrea Pirlo, NYCFC","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/pirlo-mls-usat.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607034400,"caption":"

Andrea Pirlo practically invented the phrase "playing the game at his own speed" during his illustrious career. Now managing Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus, he's one of the classiest midfielders the game has ever known.

Country: Italy

International career: 116 caps over 14 seasons. Olympic bronze medalist, 2006 World Cup champion.

European career: 55 goals with five clubs. Six Serie A titles, including five in a row between 2011 and 2015. Two Champions League titles, five Italian domestic titles, one FIFA Club World Cup title.

MLS career (NYCFC 2015-17): 60 goals over three seasons. Led club to the playoffs in its second and third seasons.

Notable accomplishments: 2006 World Cup Final Man of the Match, 2012, '13, '14 Serie A Footballer of the Year.

"},{"index":5,"title":"Kaká, Orlando City ","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Kak%C3%A1_USATSI_10350026.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607034684,"caption":"

Before Luka Modric won the Ballon d'Or in 2018, Kaká was the only soccer player not named Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo to win the player of the year award back in 2008. He brought that class to MLS in 2014.

Country: Brazil

International career: Member of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning, 2005 and 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup-winning teams.

European career: Serie A and La Liga winner, UEFA Champions League winner. In three seasons with Orlando City, he scored 24 goals and had 21 assists.

MLS career (Orlando City 2014-2017): Orlando City's first player.

Notable accomplishments: Two-time Serie A Footballer of the Year. 2005 UEFA Midfielder of the Year. 2007 FIFA World Player of the Year, Ballon d'Or winner, UEFA Club Footballer of the Year and IFFHS World's Best Playmaker. One of eight players to ever win the World Cup, Champions League and Ballon d'Or.

"},{"index":4,"title":"Wayne Rooney, D.C. United","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Rooney_W_USATSI_13543193.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607034878,"caption":"

D.C. United's only star to make the list comes in at No. 4, as Wayne Rooney helped raise the quality during his time in the nation's capital.

He'll always be remembered for that last-ditch tackle and cross field assist to Luciano Acosta to win in dramatic fashion during the 2018 season.

Country: England

International career: Youngest goalscorer for England ever. England's all-time leading goalscorer, second most-capped player.

European career: His 253 goals in all competitions for Manchester United is a club record, while his 183 for Man U in the Premier League is a league record for goals by one player on a single team. He's won 16 trophies with Manchester United, including five Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a Champions League title.

MLS career (DC United 2018-2019): Scored 23 goals in 48 appearances and helped D.C. to

Notable accomplishments: One of only two English players to win the Premier League, FA Cup, Champions League, League Cup, Europa League and FIFA Club World Cup.

"},{"index":3,"title":"Thierry Henry, New York Red Bulls","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/henry-mls-usat.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607035535,"caption":"

Probably the best player in Premier League history, Thierry Henry was an unstoppable force both abroad and in the MLS.

Country: France

International career: 1998 World Cup champion. France's all-time leading goalscorer (51). UEFA Euro 2000 and FIFA Conferations Cup 2003 champion.

European career: Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer (228 in all competitions). Four-time league winner—twice with Arsenal, twice with FC Barcelona. Two-time FA Cup winner. Champions League winner.

MLS career (New York Red Bulls 2010-2014): 51 goals over five seasons for Red Bulls. 2013 Supporters' Shield.

Notable accomplishments: Member of Arsenal's "Invincibles" 2003-04 unbeaten squad. Member of FC Barcelona's 2008-09 treble (Copa del Rey, Primera División and Champions League) team.

"},{"index":2,"title":"Zlatan Ibrahimovic, LA Galaxy","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/zlatan-mls-usat.jpg","credit":"USA Today Sports Images","published":1607035662,"caption":"

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is like fine wine in that he continues to improve each year he gets older. Now right up there challenging for the top goalscorer in Italy with AC Milan, Ibrahimovic will be fondly remembered for his bold cockiness during interviews and Jimmy Kimmel appearances.

Country: Sweden

International career: 116 caps for Sweden. All-time leading Swedish goalscorer (62).

European career: 268 goals over 14 seasons for six clubs. Ten league titles with five different clubs in three different leagues, including streaks of five in a row (2007-11) and four in a row (2013-16).

MLS career (LA Galaxy 2018-2020): Netting an amazing 52 goals in 56 games, Ibrahimovic should go down as the most talented player to ever play in MLS for what he accomplished (while other stars on this list were already past their primes).

Notable accomplishments: 12-time Swedish player of the year. 2013 FIFA Puskás Award for Goal of the Year for his bicycle kick against England.

"},{"index":1,"title":"David Beckham, LA Galaxy","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Beckham_D_USATSI_6807072.jpg","credit":"© Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports","published":1606865844,"caption":"

Beckham put the MLS on the map when he shocked the world when he came over from Real Madrid in 2007. Combined with his modeling and being married to a Spice Girl, Beckham is far and away the most famous athlete to ever play soccer in the United States.

Now, as a co-owner of newly formed club Inter Miami, Beckham will attempt to lure even more distinguished names from across the pond.

Country: England

International career: Captained England 59 times; the only Englishman to score in three World Cups. The fifth player in World Cup history to score two times from a direct free kick. Scored 17 total goals.

European career: 77 goals, eight league titles, two FA Cup titles, one Champions League title.

MLS career (LA Galaxy 2007-12): 98 career goals, back-to-back MLS Cup titles

Notable accomplishments: Two-time Ballón d'Or runner-up, two-time FIFA Player of the Year runner-up, 2008 English Football Hall of Fame inductee.

"}]}

Ranking the 15 most famous soccer players in MLS history