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MLS: Top 5 Argentinian players in league history

By Matt Coles

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Diego Valeri #8 of Portland Timbers reacts in the first half against the Seattle Sounders during their game at CenturyLink Field on July 21, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - JULY 21: Diego Valeri #8 of Portland Timbers reacts in the first half against the Seattle Sounders during their game at CenturyLink Field on July 21, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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MLS, Diego Valeri
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 21: Diego Valeri #8 of Portland Timbers reacts in the first half against the Seattle Sounders during their game at CenturyLink Field on July 21, 2019 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /

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

In total, 135 Argentinian players have featured in Major League Soccer, with several of those going on to have distinguished careers throughout their time in North America. In fact, three have taken the MLS MVP award. All three make our list of the top five Argentinians in MLS history, but who takes the other two spots on our rankings?

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Here are the top five Argentinian players in league history.

SANDY, UT – JULY 07: Javier Morales #11 of Real Salt Lake kicks the ball downfield during a game against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS soccer game July 7, 2012, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Real Salt Lake beat the Portland Timbers 3-0. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images)
SANDY, UT – JULY 07: Javier Morales #11 of Real Salt Lake kicks the ball downfield during a game against the Portland Timbers during the first half of an MLS soccer game July 7, 2012, at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah. Real Salt Lake beat the Portland Timbers 3-0. (Photo by George Frey/Getty Images) /

5. Javier Morales

The first member of our list spent the longest time in the league out of our top five, racking up 11 seasons in total with Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas. Javier Morales spent the majority of his professional career before moving to MLS in Argentina. Eventually, he moved to MLS in August 2007. He needed just 40 seconds to make his mark, recording the fastest-ever first assist in MLS history.

Morales helped Real Salt Lake into the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in their history in 2008, his first full season with the club, before going all the way a year later. The Argentinian was also nominated to the MLS All-Star team that year and earned a second-straight nomination in 2010, recognition of becoming the team’s star man over this first four seasons with the club.

He would play for Real Salt Lake all the way through to 2016, playing at least 26 regular-season matches in every campaign bar the 2011 term. The Argentinian then moved to FC Dallas for the 2017 season. His one goal for the side moved him into the vaunted 50-50 club. He finished his MLS career after that season, tallying 255 regular-season matches, with 50 goals and 83 assists. A true legend of MLS.

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