5 World Cup Stars You Didn't Know Were Still Playing In MLS

For years, Major League Soccer has been seen as a league where big-name players go towards the twilight of their career before eventually calling it a day and hanging up their boots for good. More and more, though, recent years have seen talents in the prime of their career heading to MLS.

If you’re not one of those who follows MLS on a regular basis, however, you may not be aware of some of the top-tier World Cup talents of yesteryear who are still playing week-to-week over in the US’ top division.

With that in mind, here are five huge World Cup stars who you may not be aware are still turning out in Major League Soccer:

#5 Clint Dempsey

When it comes to the royalty of United States soccer, Clint Dempsey is right up there as one of the very best players ever produced by the USA. In an international career that began in 2004, Dempsey is the fourth most-capped American in history (with 141 appearances) and the nation’s all-time top goalscorer (with 57 goals). In terms of World Cups, the ever-busy Dempsey has appeared in three editions of world football's biggest tournament, and he has the record as being the only American to score in three separate World Cups.

Even those who aren’t big followers of Major League Soccer will be well aware of Dempsey’s status as an icon of US soccer, and he also made a splash in the English Premier League with Fulham and Tottenham. Chances are you may even be pretty aware that Dempsey departed Spurs for MLS and the Seattle Sounders. But were you in the know that he’s still turning out for the Sounders to this very day?

Now aged 35, the fiery Texan is still a powerful presence for his side, as highlighted in his thirteen appearances for the Seattle Sounders so far this season.

#4 Giovani Dos Santos

MLS Soccer - Los Angeles Galaxy v Columbus Crew

This summer’s World Cup in Russia was the third in which Giovani Dos Santos has appeared in – all despite him still only being 29 years of age! Added to that, the skilful attacker has over one hundred caps to his name.

With high profile teams like Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur, Mallorca, and Villarreal on his CV, the Mexican forward is now plying his trade over in Major League Soccer with LA Galaxy. That may take many non-MLS followers by surprise, given the size and stature of the sides he’s previously played for and the sheer undoubted talent that the forward has.

While many may not be aware where Dos Santos is playing these days, many would likely expect him to be signed up with a side in La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, or even the English Premier League. Instead, the shock here is not that Gio is still actively playing, it’s more the fact that he’s already at home in MLS – although the fact that his brother Jonathan also plays for LA Galaxy may be part of the reason.

#3 Ashley Cole

MLS Soccer - Los Angeles Galaxy v Real Salt Lake

Over a thirteen-year period, Ashely Cole won over a hundred caps for England, competing at several international tournaments – including three World Cups – in addition to a club career in which he won a ridiculous amount of silverware at Arsenal and Chelsea. Did you know, the former England international is still playing in MLS?

After leaving Stamford Bridge in 2014, Cole spent two years in Serie A with Roma before heading over to the US with LA Galaxy in 2016. What many non-MLS followers may not be aware of, though, is that the former Premier League winner is still playing for the Galaxy at age 37.

Throughout his career, Ashley Cole "the person" has often split opinion, although there has never been any doubting of his ability. And even to this day, he’s still putting in solid performances when called upon by the LA outfit.

#2 David Villa

When Spanish forward David Villa left Atletico Madrid in 2014, it was thought that the former Barcelona and Valencia striker was heading to MLS to wind down his career. And not just MLS, though, for he became the first official player for the then-debuting New York City.

Since then, Villa has gone on to score over 70 goals in just over one hundred games for the club. So impressive was his form, he was actually brought out of international retirement in 2017 after having originally called time on his Spain career three years prior.

Throughout his national team career, Villa played at three World Cups – including winning the 2010 World Cup – and he still stands as Spain’s record goalscorer to this day with a total of 59 international strikes in 98 games. And for those who keep up with Major League Soccer, the 36-year-old Villa is still a key part of New York City’s squad, as reflected by his position as the team’s captain.

#1 Bastian Schweinsteiger

During the 2018 World Cup, Germany were crying out for some leadership. Poor Toni Kroos was doing his best in a German team that didn’t even progress past the group stage, but what that side would’ve given for somebody with the leadership skills of Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Classy midfielder Schweinsteiger turned out for Germany at three World Cups, including being a key part of Germany’s World Cup win in 2014. Despite having spent over a decade at FC Bayern, Pep Guardiola deemed Bastian as surplus to requirements in 2015, and an 18-month spell at Manchester United followed. Even though the Old Trafford faithful wished to see him given more game time, manager Jose Mourinho froze the legendary ballplayer out of his first team.

In early 2017, Schweinsteiger headed to MLS with Chicago Fire. Now 33 years of age, the fourth most-capped player in German history can still be found running games for the Men in Red on a regular basis.

Edited by Zeeshan Ali