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MLS: Top 5 French players in league history

By Matt Coles

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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ORLANDO, FL – MAY 06: Aurelien Collin #78 of New York Red Bulls is seen during an MLS soccer match against the Orlando City SC at Camping World Stadium on May 6, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – MAY 06: Aurelien Collin #78 of New York Red Bulls is seen during an MLS soccer match against the Orlando City SC at Camping World Stadium on May 6, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. The game ended in a 1-1 draw. (Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

2. Aurelien Collin

Currently in his tenth season in MLS, Aurelien Collin is the league’s longest-serving Frenchman, surpassing the record of the previous member of our list. The Frenchman signed for Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2011 season, and instantly became a key part of the club’s backline, going on to marshal the centre of their defence for four seasons.

During that time, he played over 100 regular-season games for Sporting and was a part of their U.S. Open Cup-winning side in 2012. He was an integral part of their MLS Cup-winning campaign in 2013 and the Frenchman was the MLS Cup MVP for his performance in the final as well.

He spent another season with the club before making the move to Orlando City for the 2015 term, their debut campaign in the American top-flight. He played 30 times for them before signing for the New York Red Bulls in the early part of the 2016 campaign. He helped the club to the Supporters’ Shield trophy in 2018, his final season with the side, before joining the Philadelphia Union.

The Frenchman has been plighted with injuries in recent years and has struggled to find form, but he will be aiming to become a key part of the Union’s backline when the season gets back underway.

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