MLS Multiplex
Fansided

MLS: Top 5 African players in league history

By Matt Coles

COMMERCE CITY, CO - AUGUST 03: Kei Kamara #23 of the Colorado Rapids gestures to fans following a goal during the first half against the Montreal Impact at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on August 3, 2019 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
COMMERCE CITY, CO - AUGUST 03: Kei Kamara #23 of the Colorado Rapids gestures to fans following a goal during the first half against the Montreal Impact at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on August 3, 2019 in Commerce City, Colorado. (Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
7 Apr 2001: Carlos Valderrama #10 and Mamadou Diallo #9 of the Tampa Bay Mutiny prepare for the match against the Dallas Burn at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. The Tampa Bay Mutiny defeated the Dallas Burn 4 – 2. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/ALLSPORT
7 Apr 2001: Carlos Valderrama #10 and Mamadou Diallo #9 of the Tampa Bay Mutiny prepare for the match against the Dallas Burn at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Texas. The Tampa Bay Mutiny defeated the Dallas Burn 4 – 2. DIGITAL IMAGE. Mandatory Credit: Ronald Martinez/ALLSPORT /

2. Mamadou Diallo

The oldest member of our top five is Senegalese forward Mamadou Diallo, whose time in Major League Soccer came at the start of the century.

The striker signed for the Tampa Bay Mutiny in 2000. He had an instant impact on the league, as he recorded the second-highest goal-scoring season in the league’s history, scoring 26 times in his debut campaign, falling just one short of the single-season record set by Roy Lassiter in the league’s debut term in 1996. Thanks to his performances, he was named to the MLS Best XI and was a runner-up behind Tony Meola in the race for MLS MVP.

His second season with the Mutiny did not live up to the standards of his first and he was signed by the New England Revolution ahead of the 2002 season. After just seven games, he was moved on to the MetroStars, where he scored 11 times in 17 matches for the club before leaving the league for good. His record ended with 47 goals and 14 assists in 74 regular-season appearances.

Home/All-Time Lists