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MLS: Top 5 Spanish players in league history

By Matt Coles

Spain's forward David Villa runs during the World Cup 2018 qualifier football match Spain vs Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
Spain's forward David Villa runs during the World Cup 2018 qualifier football match Spain vs Italy at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 2, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / GABRIEL BOUYS (Photo credit should read GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Ilie Sanchez #6 of Sporting Kansas City crosses a ball during a game between Sporting Kansas City and Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Complex on September 15, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Michael Janosz/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – SEPTEMBER 15: Ilie Sanchez #6 of Sporting Kansas City crosses a ball during a game between Sporting Kansas City and Los Angeles Galaxy at Dignity Health Sports Complex on September 15, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Michael Janosz/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

2. Ilie Sanchez

Ilie Sanchez Farres, known by the world as Ilie, comes in at number two on our list thanks to his on-going efforts with Sporting Kansas City. The 29-year-old began his career with Barcelona, but ahead of the 2017 MLS term, he made the move to Kansas City. He has since become a rock in the centre of their midfield.

In his first season in the league, the side went on to win the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. He was then nominated to the MLS All-Star side a year later. Including the two matches played at the start of the 2020 campaign, the Spaniard has now reached a century of regular-season appearances for Sporting, scoring six times and assisting 11 other goals.

Ilie has also played every minute of postseason football Sporting KC have featured in during his tenure, scoring during their deep run into the playoffs in 2018. Without doubt, the defensive midfielder has been a key part of any success the club has had since he joined in 2017.

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