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MLS: Top 5 Oceanic players in league history

By Matt Coles

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 20: Tim Cahill of Australia thanks supporters in the crowd after playing his final match for Australia in the International Friendly Match between the Australian Socceroos and Lebanon at ANZ Stadium on November 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 20: Tim Cahill of Australia thanks supporters in the crowd after playing his final match for Australia in the International Friendly Match between the Australian Socceroos and Lebanon at ANZ Stadium on November 20, 2018 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) /
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MLS, Tim Cahill
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 20: Tim Cahill of Australia thanks supporters in the crowd after playing his final match for Australia in the International Friendly Match between the Australian Socceroos and Lebanon at ANZ Stadium on November 20, 2018, in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images) /

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

In total, there have been just 24 Oceanic players who have featured in Major League Soccer. 18 of those hail from New Zealand, while a further six come from Australian shores. Despite such a small number, there are several who have won silverware whilst playing in the United States, with three MLS Cup winners making our list. Who makes it into the top five, though?

Here are our top five Oceanic-based players in MLS history.

ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 25: Michael Boxall #15 of Minnesota United dribbles the ball against Sporting Kansas City in the second half of the game at Allianz Field on September 25, 2019, in St Paul, Minnesota. United defeated Kansas City 2-1. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images)
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA – SEPTEMBER 25: Michael Boxall #15 of Minnesota United dribbles the ball against Sporting Kansas City in the second half of the game at Allianz Field on September 25, 2019, in St Paul, Minnesota. United defeated Kansas City 2-1. (Photo by David Berding/Getty Images) /

5. Michael Boxall

Coming in at number five is the only member of the top five to still ply his trade in MLS, central defender Michael Boxall. The defender moved to the States after being recruited by the University of California, Santa Barbara. He was then selected with the first overall pick in the 2011 MLS Supplemental Draft by the Vancouver Whitecaps, beginning what would be his first spell in the league.

During his season and a half in Vancouver, Boxall also made his international bow for the All Whites, before moving back to his home country in June 2012. After spells with Wellington Phoenix, Oakleigh Cannons and SuperSport United, the Kiwi made the move back to the States, signing for Minnesota United.

He has since gone on to become a key part of the Loons’ backbone in the last three seasons, playing more than 80 regular-season matches in that time. Boxall was an integral piece of the Minnesota squad that reached the MLS Cup playoffs for the first time in 2019. He now has over a century of appearances in all competitions in the States.

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