MLS: Top 5 CONCACAF players in league history

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CARSON, CA – AUGUST 30: Midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos #10 of the Los Angeles Galaxy dribbles the ball against the Dallas Burn at the Home Depot Center on August 30, 2003, in Carson, California. The Galaxy defeated the Burn 2-1. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images) /

2. Mauricio Cienfuegos

The second El Salvador international to make our list of the best ever CONCACAF imports to the top flight of American soccer is attacking midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos, who comes in at number two in our rankings.

The Salvadorian, who is the oldest member of our top five at 52-years-old, started his professional career back in 1985. The attacking midfielder signed for the LA Galaxy ahead of the inaugural MLS campaign in 1996 and became one of the best playmakers that league saw in its early years. Cienfuegos spent eight seasons with the Galaxy. He featured in the MLS All-Star Game in seven of those campaigns, along with being awarded a place in the MLS Best XI in 1996, 1998 and 1999.

Following on from his individual successes, the Galaxy then had success of their own, winning the CONCACAF Champions Cup (now the Champions League) in 2000. A year later, Cienfuegos was part of the LA Galaxy side that lifted the U.S. Open Cup, before going on to win the MLS Cup in 2002 following three runners-up finishes in the seven years prior to their first triumph.

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