MLS Review: Could Zlatan really be the best DP player of all time?
David Beckham of the LA Galaxy in action during the Hyundai Club Challenge match between Sydney FC and the LA Galaxy at Telstra Stadium on November 27, 2007 in Sydney, Australia.
(Nov. 27, 2007 - Source: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images Sport)
MLS Review: Could Zlatan really be the best DP player of all time?
"Why are you writing about the Major League Soccer, people barely watch it," I remember this comment from a friend when I mentioned an MLS review.
Well MLS might not be as prestigious as European football leagues such as the famous Premier League of England. However, the exposure to the growing American soccer market saw various international stars plying their trade in the league. It has therefore given us legendary games to talk about and has housed some of the world's best players at the peak of their careers, making it absolutely newsworthy. This North American soccer league has been famous for its designated player rule, also known as the Beckham Rule. It allows teams to sign up to three players that are considered outside the team’s salary cap. In essence, this allows teams to compete for star players in the international market. A good example is how the LA Galaxy signed David Beckham to a five-year contract worth $6.5M per year back in 2007, making him the first DP player, hence the nickname "the Beckham rule".
The top 5!
MLS has signed some of the world's best players as DP players and a specific criterion has been used to select who makes the top five of the best DP players of all time. Attempting to define the five greatest MLS players of all-time is not easy. In order to be eligible for the list, a player has to enter the league as a DP. Sadly, that eliminates a bunch of worthy players who entered MLS on regular contracts and were later elevated to DP status. Thus great players like Landon Donovan, Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey miss the list. Our major focus is also on players with more than three MLS seasons under their belts, so Zlatan Ibrahimović, Wayne Rooney, Miguel Almiron, and Carlos Vela miss the list for this reason. After considering the two prior mentioned facts we also look at goal contributions per 90 minutes and trophies won by the DP. However, measuring the impact of designated player signings goes beyond wins, losses and trophies. There have been players who secured trophies, but also made a major impact in terms of marketing and boosting the visibility of teams in certain international markets (the likes of David Beckham).
Having mentioned the criteria for selection we move on to looking at which players find their names in the top five DP players of the all-time list:
1. Robbie Keane (Ireland & LA Galaxy)
In terms of on-field production, no player could ever display a more impressive career in the MLS than Keane. The LA Galaxy star was a dominating force for most of his six seasons with the LA Galaxy. He helped the Galaxy win three MLS Cup titles, delivering an impressive 83 goals in 125 games and 45 assists. Keane also captured the league MVP award in 2014. He was the leading figure in a team that resembled the biggest dynasty in MLS history. Keane is easily the most successful international star brought in using the Designated Player (DP) rule. Many clubs have landed effective DPs, but none have delivered one as impressive as Keane in such a short period of time.
2. Sebastian Giovinco (Italy & Toronto FC)
Upon his arrival (from Juventus) into the MLS's Toronto FC which had never made the playoffs in 2015, Giovinco made a big impression from the start. The Toronto FC star took home an MVP award and the golden boot, helping TFC reach consecutive MLS Cup finals. Giovinco displayed dazzling skills that helped win back fans in Toronto and laid the groundwork for an MLS Cup-winning season in 2017. The final season didn't go as planned, but his efforts in helping TFC reach the CONCACAF Champions League final can never be forgotten. Nicknamed the Atomic Ant, Giovinco became the first player in league’s history to record 20+ goals and 10+ assists in a single season. Giovinco hoisted the MLS Cup for 2 consecutive years (2016 and 2017) alongside Jozy Altidore and Michael Bradley. The Italian scored a total of 67 goals for Toronto over the course of his career — ranking him first in the franchise’s history.
Steven Smith #14 of the Portland Timbers and Thierry Henry #14 of the New York Red Bulls battle for a loose ball during a match at Red Bull Arena on August 19, 2012 in Harrison, New Jersey.
(Aug. 18, 2012 - Source: Andy Marlin/Getty Images North America)
3. Diego Valeri (Argentina & Portland Timbers)
While the Portland Timbers existed long before MLS, the MLS era is best defined by Valeri. Upon his arrival in 2013, he became a fan favorite in Portland and around the league because of his consistent excellence over the past six seasons. Diego has already tallied 62 goals in 146 matches for Portland. He led the Timbers to a 2015 MLS Cup triumph. After missing the playoffs in 2016, Valeri almost single-handedly pulled Portland into the playoffs, ultimately making his 2017 season a stand out one. He became the second player in league’s history to notch 20+ goals and 10+ assists in a single season, lagging behind Sebastian Giovinco. Diego stands third in most games played for the Timbers, first in goals, and first in assists.
"Once Valeri retires, don’t be surprised to see the club construct a statue of him outside of Providence Park." - Nathan Reynolds, Contributor, MLS Multiplex
4. David Beckham (England & LA Galaxy)
If we were talking simply on-field performance, Beckham wouldn't have cracked the top five on the best DP players of all-time. Some may argue that his performance on the field doesn’t warrant a ranking this high. However, we cannot talk about DPs without mentioning the first-ever DP to grace the MLS. Beckham's arrival in America had a huge positive impact on the league's global identity, it paved the way for future generations of designated players. Although his on-field production was low with Beckham only managing to secure MLS Cup titles for Galaxy in 2011 and 2012, he had the biggest overall impact on the league. The former Galaxy star also won 2 Supporters' Shields, served up 40 assists and scored numerous trademark free-kick goals with the Galaxy. He also claimed the MLS Comeback Player of the Year award in 2011 following a 2010 injury that held him out of the World Cup (and thus ended his international career).
5. Thierry Henry (France & New York Red Bulls)
When Henry arrived at the Red Bull Arena, they badly needed a star to help them rebuild their fan base since they had recently moved into a new stadium. He failed to pull the Red Bulls out of their MLS Cup dry season but however helped the Red bulls win their first piece of silverware (the 2013 Supporters' Shield). The former Red Bulls star concluded his five-year stay with the club as the leading assist provider in the team’s history. He generated 51 goals and 42 assists in 122 regular-season games in about 4 1/2 MLS seasons and made the playoffs every year of his Red Bulls’ tenure.
“This North American soccer league has been famous for its designated player rule, also known as the Beckham Rule. It allows teams to sign up to three players that are considered outside the team’s salary cap. In essence, this allows teams to compete for star players in the international market. ”
Is the top 5 DP list justified?
So the established top five has players we believe have the most notable qualities to warrant inclusion. However, arguments could be made for some exceptional players who missed the list. Some of these players, their achievements and the reasons they miss the list are as follows:
1. David Villa (Spain & New York City FC)
Villa hasn’t been in MLS all that long and it is for that reason that he misses the top five list. However, there’s no arguing against the Spanish legend’s great impact in the MLS for that short period. Villa managed to record 18 goals and eight assists in his first season in the league before tallying 23 strikes and four assists, captaining NYCFC to the 2019 playoffs.
David Villa #7 of New York City FC dribbles down the field at Banc of California Stadium on May 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California.
(May 12, 2018 - Source: Katharine Lotze/Getty Images North America
2. Miguel Almiron (Paraguay & Atlanta United)
Atlanta United enjoyed the best return on the $8 million (£6m) transfer fee it paid to buy Almiron from Lanus, making him one of the most legendary MLS investments. Almiron earned Atlanta United an MLS Cup title in 2018 and $26 million transfer to Newcastle United, along with some of the biggest jersey sales in MLS over the past two seasons.
"Almiron is a dazzling playmaker with the speed and skill to terrorize opposing defense and the megawatt smile to win fans over. There's little doubt that he would have challenged for the top spot on this list if he had stuck around MLS longer (the reason why he misses the list), but the record-breaking fee Newcastle paid for him puts him close to the top," Ives Galarcep, Owner, SBI Soccer
3. Josef Martinez (Venezuela & Atlanta United)
No player in the MLS history has had a better two-year run than Martinez, with his unmatched 50 goals in 2 seasons. Martinez once topped the single-season goal-scoring record, after notching 31 strikes that led to Atlanta United winning the 2018 MLS Cup title. However, he misses the list because he hasn't been in the MLS for more than 3 seasons as per our criteria.
4. Landon Donovan (USMNT & Los Angeles Galaxy)
Now we are talking about the most happening MLS player, if the top five wasn't all about being a designated player, Donovan would top the charts. Donavan already topped various non DP best players of all time lists including Nathan Reynolds' top 25 best MLS players of all time. The American collected four MLS titles, two Supporters’ Shields, and one Open Cup trophy in Los Angeles. He won the Golden Boot award in 2008 and was selected to the MLS Best XI seven times. With all these achievements he had absolutely created an undisputed place for himself in MLS history. However, he did not stop there, Donovan holds the MLS all-time goal-scoring record (145) and is the all-time assist leader with 136.
In 2015, the league renamed the annual MVP award the “Landon Donovan MVP Award.” That’s a pretty good indication he’s worthy of being considered the best player in the MLS history.
"The writing is on the wall; Donavan is the undisputed champion in MLS history when it comes to on-pitch performances."-Lovejoy Munamati
5. Carlos Vela (Mexico & Los Angeles FC)
Vela joined Los Angeles FC in January 2018, winning the Supporters' Shield and the MLS Golden Boot in his second year. Apart from being voted the most valuable player, he set a new league record for most goals in a season, surpassing Martinez’s record with 34 strikes. He doesn't make it to the list because he joined the MLS just recently.
Josef Martinez (L) autograph young attendee's hat at MLS All-Star Community Day presented by Target at Anderson Park on July 30, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia.
(July 29, 2018 - Source: Paras Griffin/Getty Images North America)
6. Zlatan Ibrahimović (Sweden & Los Angeles Galaxy)
Zlatan joined Galaxy on a free transfer from Manchester United in January 2018. The lion has 48 goals in 51 MLS appearances as well as 14 assists. In September 2019, Zlatan secured a 7-2 win against Kansas City. The goals saw Ibrahimović make history for Galaxy, breaking the team's single-season scoring record having now scored 26 goals in 25 starts during the 2019 season. The Swede bettered, Carlos Ruiz’s record, who netted 24 times in the 2002 season. Zlatan was the highest-paid MLS player in 2019, with $7.2 million in guaranteed compensation, which is also the highest single-season guaranteed compensation of all time.
Zlatan leaves Galaxy unfulfilled
Ibrahimović scored 52 goals in 56 appearances for the Galaxy. He nearly won the Golden Boot this year and finished second in voting for the MVP Award. The former Galaxy star had a good individual success run and went viral with several spectacular goals while playing for the LA Galaxy. As he leaves the Galaxy after his 2-year stint, the team would be quite thankful for the positive impact of his presence on their team. However, he leaves the team still unfulfilled as the Galaxy didn’t win anything of significance in the two years that Ibrahimović spent in MLS. They collapsed on the final day of the season in 2018 to miss the playoffs and then had a rather underwhelming playoff appearance in the following year. This does not take anything away from him being massive for MLS, he is still one of the best MLS players ever. Now with all these achievements including the aforementioned 7-2 win and being the highest-paid MLS player, Zlatan has to be one of the best MLS players of all time but comes up short of our minimum 3 seasons criteria.
"I think I am the best ever to play in MLS. And that, without joking," said Ibrahimovic.
Could Zlatan really the best DP player of all time?
There have been only three 30-goal seasons in MLS history, all within the past 12 months: Martinez's record-setting in 2018, Vela's record-breaking 2019 and Zlatan's 2019. The Swede is unsurprisingly, 2019's highest-paid player with $7.2 million in guaranteed compensation, which is also the highest single-season guaranteed compensation of all time. Only two other players, Orlando City's Kaka and Toronto FC's Sebastian Giovinco, have banked more than $7 million in a season.
"Despite recently turning 38, Ibrahimović has banged in 52 goals and added 17 assists in only 56 games. Of all players in MLS history with 50 goals, no one scored more often than Zlatan, who managed a goal every 91.4 minutes. Martinez, at 92.8, is the only other player in that club who averages a goal every less than 128 minutes," comments a Dan Hajduck
All the above facts can indeed guarantee Zlatan being named the best MLS player of all time, yet! However, there are numerous other factors to consider other than his salary and frequency of goals.
Team President of the Los Angeles Galaxy Chris Klein hands Zlatan Ibrahimovic #9 his jersey during a press conference at StubHub Center on March 30, 2018 in Carson, California.
(March 29, 2018 - Source: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images North America)
If we were to look at Zlatan in comparison to other recent MLS players in terms of total goals scored, Carlos Vela would definitely give Zlatan a run for his money. Vela attained a total of 70 goals and assists combined while Zlatan falls second with 62. Throughout his MLS career, Ibrahimović has been the second most prolific player in the MLS history by way of goal contributions per 90 minutes, trailing only on-field rival Carlos Vela.
Looking at expected goals (cumulative number of goals that would be expected to be scored taking into account shot quality and shot volume), two players in Martinez and Vela, have delivered a higher expected goals total (xG) than Zlatan.
If we look at the overall impact on the MLS, we cannot talk about Zlatan when we have the likes of Thierry and Keane. A collection of various comments made on Zlatan's statement brought up various reasons why Zlatan can't possibly be the best MLS player of all time. I have summed the reasons into a list of 3 as follows:
1. He doesn't qualify for the esteemed 10 MLSers who have won a World Cup
2. No MVP win in the season of his proclamation
3. Zlatan is probably the best individual to play in MLS, but being the best “player” is overrating him because that takes individual skill combined with collective success.
"The Best MLS Career belongs to Landon Donovan, while Sebastian Giovinco had the highest sustained peak, Zlatan might be the most talented and Thierry is the best MLS player." - Matthew Doyle, MLSsoccer.com Senior Editor
In conclusion, Zlatan was not just bragging to be fair, he has had a huge impact on the MLS. However, he could have chosen not to use the word "best" for that is and will most likely always be debatable. An easy way to settle it is by this closing quote;
"Zlatan is ARGUABLY the best DP player of all time."-Godwin Munamati.