MLS: Top 5 Brazilian players in league history

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ORLANDO, FL – MARCH 08: Kaka #10 of Orlando City SC celebrates after he scores the first goal in team history during an MLS soccer match between the New York City FC and the Orlando City SC at the Orlando Citrus Bowl on March 8, 2015 in Orlando, Florida. This was the first game for both teams and the final score was 1-1.(Photo by Alex Menendez/Getty Images) /

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

In total, over 100 Brazilian footballers have made the move to Major League Soccer with varying results. Several have won MLS Cup, with two of those making our list, but only one Brazilian has taken home the MVP award.

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But who makes our list of the top five Brazilians to play in the league? Find out below.

KANSAS CITY, KS – DECEMBER 07: Paulo Nagamura #6 of Sporting KC reacts to scoring a goal during the shootout against of Real Salt Lake in the 2013 MLS Cup at Sporting Park on December 7, 2013 in Kansas City, Kansas. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /

5. Paulo Nagamura

Coming in at number five is the man who did it for the longest, Paulo Nagamura. Having come through the youth system at Sao Paulo, he signed with the Los Angeles Galaxy ahead of the 2005 MLS campaign.

He enjoyed immediate success, who slotted into the heart of the side’s midfield. In his first season in the league, Nagamura was part of the Galaxy side that won the double, taking home the MLS Cup and the U.S. Open Cup. After two years in Los Angeles and a short stint with Toronto FC, he moved to Chivas USA, where he became a key part of their midfield.

Over two stints, sandwiching a spell with Tigres UANL in Mexico’s Liga MX, the Brazilian played more than 120 times across all competitions, before making the move to Sporting Kansas City ahead of the 2012 campaign, where more silverware would follow.

Nagamura was a part of the Sporting side that won the U.S. Open Cup in his first season, with the club going on to win the same trophy three years later. Sporting KC also won the MLS Cup in 2013 with Nagamura playing a consistent role. He ended his MLS career with over 250 regular-season appearances to his name.

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