MLS: Top 5 CONCACAF players in league history
By Matt Coles
3. Carlos Ruiz
The only member of our list of the best ever CONCACAF players who has been named MLS MVP is Guatemala’s, Carlos Ruiz. His professional career began in 1995 but did not make the switch of MLS until 2002, joining the Los Angeles Galaxy.
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In his first season in the league, the Guatemalan won almost everything there was on offer. The Galaxy won the Supporters’ Shield, followed by a triumph in the MLS Cup, while individually, Ruiz took home the league’s MVP and Golden Boot awards thanks to his 24 goals in 26 games, as well as winning MLS Cup MVP.
He took home the Golden Boot once again in 2003 in a tie with Preki, who eventually took the award thanks to more assists than the Guatemalan, with Ruiz also featuring in the 2003 MLS All-Star Game, where he was named the MVP.
After a third season with the Galaxy, Ruiz joined FC Dallas. He hit double-digit goals in his first two campaigns, making it five on the bounce since joining the league in 2002. He returned to Los Angeles for the 2008 season, before a short spell with Toronto FC.
He moved away from the league before returning in 2011 with Philadelphia Union, when he received a second nomination to the MLS All-Star Game and then again in 2013 with D.C. United. Ruiz eventually retired from professional football in 2016 after scoring 89 goals in 189 regular-season games. More impressively, he scored 16 goals in 17 postseason games and holds the record for the most MLS Cup playoff goals in history.