MLS: Top 5 French players in league history

TEXAS CITY, TX - MARCH 07: Head coach Thierry Henry of Montreal Impact looks on during an MLS match between FC Dallas and Montreal Impact at Toyota Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Texas City, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
TEXAS CITY, TX - MARCH 07: Head coach Thierry Henry of Montreal Impact looks on during an MLS match between FC Dallas and Montreal Impact at Toyota Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Texas City, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)
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MLS, Montreal Impact, Thierry Henry
TEXAS CITY, TX – MARCH 07: Head coach Thierry Henry of Montreal Impact looks on during an MLS match between FC Dallas and Montreal Impact at Toyota Stadium on March 7, 2020 in Texas City, Texas. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images)

There have been some amazing foreign imports in the 25-year history of MLS, but who ranks in the top five French players of all time? Here is our top five.

In total, 45 French players have plied their trade in Major League Soccer.

Some have put their names in the history books in the league. Others have not. But who are the top five French exports to have graced the league with their presence?

Here is our list of the top five Frenchman to have featured in MLS, with some big names missing out.

CARSON, CA – AUGUST 11: Romain Alessandrini #7 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates after a goal in the first half of the game against the Minnesota United at StubHub Center on August 11, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – AUGUST 11: Romain Alessandrini #7 of Los Angeles Galaxy celebrates after a goal in the first half of the game against the Minnesota United at StubHub Center on August 11, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

5. Romain Alessandrini

The first man to make our list of the top five Frenchman to have ever played in MLS is former LA Galaxy midfielder, Romain Alessandrini. The winger signed for Galaxy after spending the majority of his career in France in January 2017. He immediately became a Designated Player.

The side finished bottom of the Western Conference in his first season, but he helped them rebuild into a playoff team again, scoring 24 times in 61 league games for the side. The Frenchman also provided 22 assists in that time, mainly coming in from the right-wing.

Following an injury-hit 2019 campaign, Alessandrini left the league, signing for Chinese Super League side Qingdao Huanghai. His impact was short, sweet, and ultimately unfulfilled, but his brief time showcased just how talented he was when fit.