5 of the best foreign players to play in the MLS

The MLS has been growing as a top league destination year by year. It's more competitive, better players are being attracted to the league, and attendances are strong. While it was fashionable to mock the league for only attracting ageing, retiring foreign players from European leagues, the quality of purchase is getting better as the MLS' attractiveness has increased.

With the amount of international players limited also, it's important to acquire the right player for a team. This article lists 5 of the best foreign players to grace the MLS. Some prominent players miss out, for valid reasons: Andrea Pirlo was a majestic midfielder for AC Milan, Juventus, and Italy, but often appeared pedestrian and lacking in effort for New York City FC; English icons Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard didn't play long enough for New York City FC and LA Galaxy respectively to merit inclusion.

Current superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic spectacularly scored on his debut for LA Galaxy last week and time will tell if he'll truly make his mark on the league. The players actually included are deserving of it, for they played some great football in the United States.

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#5 Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)

The Irish striker is, simply, a great goal scorer. With 68 goals, he retired from international duty as his country's top scorer of all time. He is also currently the joint fourth highest scoring European in history. For a decade he had been one of the Premier League's sharpest marksmen, particularly with Spurs. He reached double figures in goals in 7 Premier League campaigns, and ended up as the thirteenth most successful scorer in the league's history, with 126 goals.

What he didn't have much of, though, was silverware: before coming to the MLS, Keane had secured only one trophy, the League Cup with Spurs in 2008. That would swiftly change with LA Galaxy, and when he left the club in 2016, he had won three MLS Cups. He wasn't a spectator either, reaching double figures in each of his five seasons.

His performances were recognised with being included in the Best XI in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, and being an all-star in 2015. He scored 104 goals in just 166 appearances, and left as the club's second highest scorer of all time, only behind the iconic Landon Donovan.

#4 Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)

Henry rediscovered his Arsenal scoring touch in New York

Perhaps the greatest footballer to join the MLS, Henry had an incredible career before moving to USA. Two Premier League titles, two La Liga titles, a Champions League medal, a World Cup and a European Championship with France; for over a decade, Henry was one of the top five strikers in world football. He left both Arsenal and France as their all-time top scorers; impressive feats for a player who started out as a winger.

After two excellent seasons, Henry hit a lean patch in his third campaign with Barcelona in 2009-2010, managing only 4 goals as other players were preferred. After a slow start in New York, he began to show his ability of old. From 2011 to 2014, the Frenchman was named an MLS all-star and his displays lit up the league.

Everything was done with flair, everything was performed with a charming cockiness. Although he never won the MLS Cup with his team, Henry left with a Supporters' Shield win in 2013.

#3 David Villa (New York City FC)

Villa earned a surprising call up for Spain in 2017 due to his excellent MLS form

Unlike fellow European icon Pirlo, Villa has had a big impact in the MLS. Still lining out for New York City FC at 36, Villa currently has 66 goals in a mere 101 appearances, a tremendous record. He's won goal of the year awards, player of the month awards, and been named an all-star three times.

He admittedly came to the MLS on the wane, like Henry, but he seems to be ageing like fine wine after the initial period. Spain's all-time top scorer had finished a La Liga winner with Atletico Madrid in 2014 and signed for New York City FC, playing in Australia while he waited for their inaugural MLS campaign.

He's been there since the beginning with the newly-formed club, wears the number seven shirt, and is an idol to the fans. When he does retire, perhaps New York City fans will remember him more fondly than Barcelona, Atletico, or even Valencia supporters do, such has been his impact!

#2 David Beckham (LA Galaxy)

Beckham had the highest profile of any player to grace the MLS

An obvious choice, Beckham might not have played as well as the others on this list, but his services to the MLS have been immense. HIs move from Real Madrid to LA Galaxy made news headlines around the world, not just in football circles. Interest in the league grew massively, merely from one player joining.

On the pitch, things didn't start as well though, and LA Galaxy fans were frustrated with the Englishman's decision to return to Europe on loan twice to AC Milan, labelling him a fraud.

Beckham turned it around swiftly, playing his part in two MLS Cup wins, scoring seven goals in the 2012 triumph, and providing plentiful assists. He left the club at 36, with much goodwill and his reputation intact.

#1 Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC)

Giovinco has mesmerised with his dribbling and vision

The current best player in the MLS, Giovinco's talent was always evident in European football but without the consistency that he's shown in Canada. He was a tricky and slight attacking midfielder in Italy but never managed to hold down a regular starting place in Juventus' side.

Giovinco was different to many of his contemporaries as he joined at the relatively youthful age of 27, firmly at his peak. He blasted home 22 goals in his first season and hasn't stopped scoring since. He now has 68 goals in 112 games, an amazing tally for a player who isn't an out-and-out striker.

After coming close, Giovinco finally led Toronto to the MLS Cup last season and will be aiming to do the same again in 2018. He's, obviously, been an all-star in each of his three seasons, and the only negative in his career right now must be his lack of recognition with his national team, Italy.