MLS: Top 5 Brazilian players in league history

By Matt Coles | Apr 24, 2020

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) /

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WASHINGTON – MAY 26: Luciano Emilio #11 of D.C. United celebrates after scoring against A.C. Milan at RFK Stadium on May 26, 2010 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Ned Dishman/Getty Images) /

1. Luciano Emilio

Taking the top spot on our list of the best ever Brazilian players to have featured in Major League Soccer is the only player from the country who has been the league’s MVP, Luciano Emilio. The forward already had ten years of professional football under his belt before moving to the United States, having played the entirety of his career in Germany, Honduras and Mexico, but it was in MLS that he emerged as an elite player.

Emilio moved to MLS prior to the 2007 campaign, signing for D.C United. The striker scored 20 goals in his debut season, becoming the first only Brazilian to be named MLS MVP for his efforts. That year, he also took home the Golden Boot and the inaugural Newcomer of the Year award as well, with the team winning the Supporters’ Shield.

He scored double-digit goals in each of his three full seasons with D.C. United. He won the U.S. Open Cup in 2008, beating lower-league side Charleston Battery in the final, adding to his Supporters’ Shield from the previous season.

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Emilio would eventually leave the league after his third season but returned to D.C. for the second half of the 2010 campaign. However, that would be his last involvement in MLS, ending his time in the league with 41 goals from 87 regular-season appearances.

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