’s signing of earlier this month is a serious coup not only for the staff. It’s additionally the most recent in a spate of acquisitions that has introduced an unprecedented degree of expertise and a spotlight to MLS because the league nears the top of its thirtieth anniversary season.
Since shortly after profitable the , MLS has welcomed greater than two dozen international standouts, from World Cup champions , Olivier Giroud, Rodrigo De Paul and Thomas Mueller to Germany’s and Uruguay’s Luis Suárez.
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Some have been a bit previous their prime however others, together with Messi, have confirmed to be dominant MLS gamers. The addition of Son, arguably the perfect Asian participant of all time, opens a brand new chapter for the league and U.S. soccer because the nation prepares to welcome the World Cup again subsequent summer season.
With that as a backdrop, right here’s one man’s checklist of the ten most essential signings in MLS historical past:
1. David Beckham (Galaxy, 2007-12)
Galaxy star David Beckham, proper, shakes palms with FC Barcelona’s Lionel Messi earlier than a pleasant match on the Rose Bowl in August 2009. (Robert Mora / MLS by way of Getty Photos)
did greater than anybody to alter the trajectory of MLS and, by extension, soccer within the U.S. By leaving Actual Madrid for the Galaxy in 2007 he put the league on the worldwide map and compelled it to make room in its wage construction for high-paid “designated gamers” — an exception to the payroll cap nonetheless often called the “Beckham Rule.” Extra essential, he was bullish on MLS, serving to recruit different worldwide gamers resembling Robbie Keane, Kaka, Frank Lampard and, as an proprietor, Messi and Suárez.
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2. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Galaxy, 2018-19)
Galaxy star Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates after scoring in opposition to Portland in March 2019. (Katharine Lotze / Getty Photos)
If the right and reserved Beckham, who was subsequently knighted by King Charles III, introduced pomp and sophistication to MLS, the brash and entertaining was the troublemaking media-friendly prankster who made the MLS must-see TV. In his quick stick with the Galaxy he scored 52 targets and had 13 assists in 56 video games. And he did all of it with a smirk on his face and a chip on his shoulder, relentlessly chiding the league over its wage cap, the extent of play, journey and officiating.
3. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami, 2023-present)
Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi controls the ball throughout a match in opposition to the Galaxy on Aug. 16. (Megan Briggs / Getty Photos)
Touchdown the best participant in historical past would have been a coup for any league at any time; MLS acquired lower than eight months after he received the Golden Ball whereas main Argentina to a World Cup title. If Beckham constructed the muse for the league and Ibrahimovic introduced it worldwide consideration, Messi made it related. His pink Inter Miami jersey is the best-selling shirt in MLS historical past and he’s been profitable, too, profitable a Leagues Cup and Supporters’ Protect whereas notching 40 targets and 26 assists in 44 regular-season video games.
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4. Son Heung-min (LAFC, 2025-present)
Son Heung-min is launched as the latest participant on LAFC throughout a information convention on Aug. 6. (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Instances)
, who both scored or arrange a aim in every of his three video games with LAFC, completed in double-digits for targets eight instances and in assists thrice at Tottenham, making him a playmaking double risk. For MLS, nonetheless, the addition of the best participant in South Korean historical past opens up an entire new continent of promoting and sponsorship prospects, which may make his league-record $26-million switch charge a discount.
5. Landon Donovan (San Jose Earthquakes, 2001 -04; Galaxy 2005-14, 2016) / Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders, 2013-18)
Landon Donovan, heart, celebrates with Clint Dempsey, left, and Charlie Davies after scoring within the FIFA Confederations Cup Last between the U.S. and Brazil in June 2009. (Laurence Griffiths / Getty Photos)
MLS was preventing to keep away from chapter when Donovan, who would quickly change into the perfect participant in American soccer historical past, grew homesick in Germany and returned house to play domestically, giving the league a shot within the arm when it wanted it most. Clint Dempsey, who would match Donovan’s U.S. document with 57 worldwide targets, left the Premier League for Seattle a season earlier than Donovan’s first retirement. By then the league’s survival was assured, however having the nation’s high two gamers in MLS helped the league develop into maturity within the post-Beckham period.
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6. Thierry Henry (Purple Bulls, 2010-14)
New York Purple Bulls star Thierry Henry reacts throughout a playoff recreation in opposition to the New England Revolution in November 2014. (Mike Stobe / Getty Photos)
, a world and European champion with France and broadly thought of the perfect participant in Arsenal historical past, was the primary main participant Beckham recruited to MLS. He joined the staff within the league’s largest market instantly after the 2010 World Cup and would go on to attain 52 targets, nonetheless third all time for the franchise.
7. Robbie Keane (Galaxy, 2011-16)
Galaxy’s Robbie Keane controls the ball throughout a match in opposition to Orlando Metropolis in September 2016. (Jae C. Hong / Related Press)
When AEG president Tim Leiweke introduced Beckham to the Galaxy, he knew that was solely half the equation. Beckham was an excellent passer however with out a proficient striker to get on the top of these crosses, they meant nothing. , then one among a dozen gamers to attain 100+ targets within the Premier League, was the reply to Leiweke’s prayers. Added in the summertime switch window in 2011, Keane scored 21 minutes into his MLS debut and didn’t cease, ending with 104 targets in all competitors and profitable three MLS Cups, a Supporters’ Protect and a league MVP award.
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8. Carlos Vela (LAFC, 2018-24)
LAFC ahead Carlos Vela chases after the ball throughout a match in opposition to Actual Salt Lake in October 2023. (Jae C. Hong / Related Press)
John Thorrington’s resolution to make the primary main signing for LAFC’s inaugural season is arguably the perfect ever made by an enlargement staff’s common supervisor. Vela, a Mexican nationwide staff star in his prime, broke the MLS single-season scoring document with 34 targets in his second season and helped LAFC to 2 Supporters’ Shields and two MLS Cup finals.
9. Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC, 2015-19)
Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco controls the ball through the 2017 MLS Cup Last in opposition to the Seattle Sounders. (Vaughn Ridley / Getty Photos)
Starting with Beckham and Henry, who have been each 32 after they joined MLS, the early designated-player signings tended to be older, big-name gamers who have been extra helpful promoting tickets and jerseys than in profitable video games. Italy’s Giovinco was an exception, becoming a member of Toronto from Juventus in 2015 at age 28. He went on to document 68 targets and 40 assists in 114 MLS matches, together with a league-best 22 in his first season when he was named MVP. Two years later he led Toronto to an MLS Cup title, a Supporters’ Protect and the Canadian Championship, the one treble in MLS historical past.
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10. Jorge Campos (Galaxy, 1996-97)
Mexican goalie Jorge Campos waves through the second half of an exhibition match in opposition to Brazil in November 2004. (Nick Ut / Related Press)
Campos, Mexico’s flamboyant, eccentric and colorfully dressed goalkeeper, is usually left off the checklist of an important MLS signings. However he was among the many first worldwide stars to hitch the league forward of its first season in 1996 and he proved particularly well-liked with the Galaxy’s Latino fan base. On the sphere his contributions have been extra meager, with Campos permitting 51 targets in 43 video games over two seasons.
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