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#7 Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders)
The Colombian striker arrived in the MLS back in 2009, when the Seattle Sounders edged ahead of Real Betis to secure his signature. Despite arriving on loan, Montero quickly established himself as one of the mainstays in the side.
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During the opening game of the season against the New York Red Bulls, Montero netted a brace and registered an assist. Notably, he also became the first-ever goalscorer in the history of the Sounders. Eventually, Montero completed a permanent transfer from Deportivo Cali to his homeland.
After three prolific seasons in the MLS, where he netted 44 goals and registered 27 assists, Montero left on loan to Milllonarios in Colombia. But it was at Sporting in Lisbon that he made a real mark outside the MLS.
Montero, who spent a season on loan before joining Sporting permanently, scored a hat-trick on debut for the Portuguese club. Although he left for the lucrative Chinese Super League after almost three seasons in Portugal, Montero made his mark with Sporting. The striker scored 46 goals and grabbed 18 assists in 131 appearances for the club, meaning he had a goal contribution in almost every two games.
Montero is now back in the MLS with the Seattle Sounders, where he has an enviable record of 63 goals and 34 assists in 173 appearances.
#6 DeAndre Yedlin (Galatasaray)
Yedlin made his MLS debut for the Seattle Sounders back in 2013. The full-back established himself as a hot-prospect in his debut season, where he made 37 apppearances across all competitions. Notably, the then 20-year-old was also the first player since Michael Parkhurst in 2005 to be named in the MLS All-Star team during a debut season.
Tottenham Hotspur came calling for his services soon after and Yedlin agreed a four-year contract with the Premier League club. However, the American failed to break into the first team at Spurs and notched up just one appearance.
The former MLS sensation then resurrected his career on Wearside in the north of England during a loan stint with Sunderland before joining their rivals Newcastle United on a permanent deal in 2016. Yedlin spent five years on Tyneside with Newcastle, making 125 appearances for the club.
Earlier this year, the defender joined Turkish giants Galatasaray on a free transfer after the expiry of his contract at Newcastle.
#5 Cyle Larin (Besiktas)
The Canadian marksman was tipped to have a bright future from a very young age, thanks to his versatile skill-set. Larin can play anywhere across the front-three and is also equally adept at holding the ball up and bringing his teammates into the game.
Despite interest from an unnamned European club, Larin began his senior career in professional soccer with Orlando City in the MLS. The forward enjoyed a scintillating start to life in the MLS, and went on to score 17 goals in 27 games, including two hat-tricks. Larin deservedly won the MLS 'Rookie of the Year Award' as well.
In each of the next two seasons, Larin hit double figures for goals in the MLS. Due to his impressive performances, Turkish giants Besiktas snapped him up on a permanent deal. Larin was not an instant success in Turkey and netted just five goals in his first two seasons with Besiktas.
However, riding on the confidence from an excellent season on loan at Zulte Waregem in Belgium, Larin returned to his best last term. The 26-year-old was joint-second top scorer in the SuperLig with 19 goals as Besiktas were crowned league champions. After finally settling down in Besiktas and rekindling his devastating form, Larin could soon be aiming for the stars.
#4 Tyler Adams (RB Leipzig)
The midfielder came up through the ranks at New York Red Bulls and made his MLS debut for the club in 2016. Adams, who is naturally a deep-lying midfielder, can also slot in at right-back and right midfield if required.
Courtesy of his stellar performances for the Red Bulls, Adams earned his big move away from the MLS in 2019. Bundesliga club RB Leipzig came calling to acquire the services of the versatile midfielder from their sister club in the United States.
The 22-year-old was troubled by a few injuries during his first two seasons at Leipzig, but he has grown in confidence more recently. Adams notched up 37 appearances in all competitions last season. Notably, the MLS export also scored the winner against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League as Leipzig secured a semi-final berth in the 2019/20 edition.
With age on his side, there are surely signs that suggest Adams could become a household name in Europe in the future.
