MLS: Top 5 Italian players in league history

MLS, Toronto FC, Sebastian Giovinco — TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 19: Sebastian Giovinco #10 of Toronto FC looks on during the first half of the 2018 Campeones Cup Final against Tigres UANL at BMO Field on September 19, 2018 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images)

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

In total, 19 Italians have graced Major League Soccer with their presence. Some of those players have gone on to win championships and trophies during their spells in the American top flight, while others have failed to have an impact.

But which are the greatest Italians to have played over the 25 years of MLS?

Here is our list of the top five Italians to have featured in the league.

VANCOUVER, CANADA – MAY 29: Matteo Ferrari #13 of the Montreal Impact runs against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the finals of the Amway Canadian Championship at B.C. Place on May 29, 2013 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. (Photo by Derek Leung/Getty Images)

5. Matteo Ferrari

The first member of our top five Italians is one of several that were part of the inaugural Montreal Impact side back in 2012, Matteo Ferrari. The central defender was well into his 30s by the time he made the switch to play in Major League Soccer after a lengthy career, mainly in Serie A.

He switched to join the Montreal Impact for their debut MLS season in 2010. He became an integral part of the Impact backline for their first three seasons in the top flight of American soccer.

He played at least 25 games in each of his three years in Montreal, helping them into the playoffs in 2013. Ferrari retired after the 2014 campaign, with 82 games under his belt and helped Montreal to two Canadian Championships in 2013 and 2014.