MLS: Top 25 current players in Major League Soccer

Defenders

Five defenders made the top 25 in MLS list for a host of reasons. Ike Opara lands at 11th on the list, fresh off his second MLS Defender of the Year award after helping transform Minnesota United’s dismal defense. His impact was noticeable with Minnesota and with his former team, Sporting Kansas City.

Omar Gonzalez and Aaron Long are next at 18th and 19th. Gonzalez played an integral role in the LA Galaxy’s MLS Cup triumphs in 2011, 12, and 14 before returning to MLS with Toronto FC last season, amazingly leading the team to just one loss in the 14 matches he played on the way to their MLS Cup appearance. Long most recently won Defender of the Year in 2018 and is an integral part of Red Bulls’ defense. His recent success has led to many European transfer rumors.

Graham Zusi and Miles Robinson land at 22nd and 23rd respectively. When the discussion around the best defender in the league pops up, it usually only revolves around center-backs. Full-backs are seldom mentioned in this discussion so it only felt right to include Zusi, one of the best full-backs in MLS history. His current form has not been at the same high standard great, although that can likely be a result of Kansas City’s poor 2019 season. Zusi deserves the recognition, especially as an eight-time All-Star and two-time MLS Best XI recipient. For over a decade, his outstanding play helped lead Kansas City to many trophies, including an MLS Cup and multiple U.S. Open Cups.

Robinson makes this list as an up-and-coming defender. After not appearing for Atlanta United much in their first two seasons, he broke into the starting XI in 2019 and started in all but four matches across all competitions, helping lead Atlanta to a U.S. Open Cup triumph and the second seed in the East. At 23, he is likely to remain as one of the top 25 players for years to come, barring injury or an overseas transfer.