MLS
Who are the best players in MLS? The top-10 rated players in the 2022 season
Sofascore has published a list of the top 10 MLS players in 2022 - will they shine this year?
Nashville kick off the MLS 2023 season on Saturday 25 February against New York City FC in what will surely be a fantastic opening clash. Everything is set to make the season a great one, with some fantastically exciting signings and what may be best set of kits in league history.
Here, we count down the top 10 players of last season and ask if they could have another stellar season in MLS. Sofascore have given us a fantastic list of their top-rated players, which we’re going to use as real-life scientific data.
10. Carlos Vela - 7.41
The Mexican, with a rating of 7.41, just had to appear on this list, didn’t he? The turn of the Earth wouldn’t feel right if he didn’t feature, as the forward has a hand in just about everything good that LAFC do. Last season he managed to get 12 goals and 9 assists in 32 games, and became only the fifth Mexican to lift the MLS Cup, after a dramatic penalty shootout win against Philadelphia Union.
9. Ryan Gauld - 7.45
The 27-year-old Scot was a creative hub for the Vancouver Whitecaps last season, with a remarkable tally of 8 goals and 5 assists in 28 games. These stats feel all the more incredible when taking into account the middling finishing position of the side, that came 10th in the final standings. Having such a talented playmaker in Gauld, given the fact that they are a team that struggle to score, allowed them to stay well away from the bottom of the Western Conference table.
8. Thiago Almada - 7.45
The first ever MLS world champions, Thiago Almada has an incredible amount of potential ahead of him. Forever linked to a move away from Argentina, Almada decided that MLS would be the best place to develop, and moved to Atlanta. The 21-year-old got 6 goals and 7 assists last season from 29 games and he might just be my tip for the one to watch in the upcoming campaign.
7. Maxi Moralez - 7.46
Attacking midfielder Maxi Moralez saw his side go all the way to the MLS Cup Final, losing out to LAFC. Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing him this year as he moved from Philadelphia Union to Racing Club in Argentina after a fantastic campaign.
6. Jefferson Savarino - 7.48
The winger is one of Venezuela’s top players, and with 7 goals and 4 assists in 19 for Real Salt Lake, it’s easy to see why. He has played 31 times for the Venezuelan national team, scoring goals and his lightning-fast feet mixed with his tricky techinical ability make him a danger from both sides of the pitch. Strictly speaking, he should be in the top 5. Take it up with Sofascore.
5. Kai Wagner - 7.48
The left-back was linked with a move away to Premier League side Leeds United under then-manager Jesse Marsch, but things never materialised and that was probably for the better, as it meant Wagner could continue to maraud down the left side of the pitch in MLS. The 26-year-old got 8 assists in 33 games from the left side and was a major attacking threat for Philadelphia all year. Expect him to continue his fantastic form in 2023.
4. Djordje Mihailovic - 7.50
Mihailovic, after a strong season in MLS with CF Montréal, made the move to Europe and now plays for AZ Alkmaar in the Eredivisie. He has started strongly, with a goal and and assist in just 4 games, showing exactly why the Dutch side opted to pay €6 million for the player and why he’s 4th on the list.
3. Hany Mukhtar - 7.59
Now we’re into serious talent levels. German midfielder Mukhtar is a well-known name in MLS for being the best at pretty much everything. He has pace, power, skill, goals, creativity - 23 goals and 7 assists in 33 games show you just how he propelled Nashville all the way to 4th in the Western Conference in 2022. Don’t expect him to stop there, either, as the number 10 will be looking again to make MLS seem, well, easy.
2. Carles Gil - 7.62
“Remember me?” screams Carles Gil from the Gilette Stadium in Massachusetts all the way to Birmingham, England, where Aston Villa fans are still delighted at his departure. The ex-Valencia midfielder has been showing his worth stateside, and ends up second on the list. He got 7 goals and 9 assists and ended up in the top echelons of progressive statistics on FBRef, showing just what a driving force he is in the team. He will be looking to add to his impressive season yet again when the campaign eventually gets underway.
1. Lucas Zelarayán - 7.65
And here we are. Number one. The honour goes to Lucas Zelarayán, the Armenian/Argentinian who plays for Columbus Crew. He started 25 times and scored 10 goals and 7 assists, as well as being in the 97th and 98th percentile for successful take-ons and shot creating actions, respectively, which makes sense when you see him play in midfield. The 30-year-old commands the ball like almost nobody else in the league, with a sense of control that makes heads spin and knees wobble; Zelarayán is a very worthy number 1 in the list.