MLS: Top 5 Dutch players in MLS history

By Matt Coles | Apr 4, 2020

SEATTLE, WA - NOVEMBER 10: Kelvin Leerdam #18 of Seattle Sounders FC celebrates the first goal during the match between Toronto FC and Seattle Sounders as part of the MLS Cup 2019 at CenturyLink Field on November 10, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Omar Vega/Getty Images) /

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FOXBOROUGH, MA – AUGUST 25: Johan Kappelhof #4 of Chicago Fire passes the ball during a game between Chicago Fire and New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium on August 24, 2019 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /

2. Johan Kappelhof

A team-mate of Hoesen’s at FC Groningen was defender Johan Kappelhof and he comes in at No.2 on our list of the best Dutchman to have ever plied their trade in Major League Soccer. Kappelhof signed for Chicago Fire ahead of the 2016 season, and has since gone on to become an integral part of their back-line.

The Dutchman was voted the club’s defender of the year in 2017, after also contributing four assists at the other end of the pitch. He was also selected for the MLS All Star XI in that season. He currently holds the record for most clearances and tackles in a single game since OPTA records began, breaking those marks in a game in the early part of that campaign.

To date, Kappelhof has featured in 126 regular-season games, playing in at least 29 games every season since he made his debut for the club. He has ten assists across the four seasons, but is yet to score in MLS for the Fire, something he will be looking to change when the season gets back underway after this suspension.

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