MLS Multiplex
Fansided

MLS: Top 5 central midfielders in the league right now

By Matt Coles

MLS, Seattle Sounders, Cristian Roldan (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
MLS, Seattle Sounders, Cristian Roldan (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 9: Eduard Atuesta #20 of Los Angeles FC takes a shot as Tyrone Mears #4 of Minnesota United defends during Los Angeles FC’s MLS match against Minnesota United at the Banc of California Stadium on May 9, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-0 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 9: Eduard Atuesta #20 of Los Angeles FC takes a shot as Tyrone Mears #4 of Minnesota United defends during Los Angeles FC’s MLS match against Minnesota United at the Banc of California Stadium on May 9, 2018, in Los Angeles, California. Los Angeles FC won the match 2-0 (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images) /

2. Eduard Atuesta

The second member of the Los Angeles FC side to make our list comes in at No.2, after a terrific 2019 season at the heart of the club’s midfield, Eduard Atuesta.

The 22-year-old Colombian midfielder spent the first couple of seasons of his professional career with Independiente Medellin, before moving to MLS on loan for his first season, the 2018 term.

MLS Career & Honours:

  • Los Angeles FC (2018-)

———————

  • MLS Best XI – 2019

———————

  • Supporters’ Shield – 2019

Atuesta joined LAFC on a season-long loan for the 2018 campaign, with the club exercising the option in the deal to turn it into a permanent transfer at the end of the season, following some solid performances from the Colombian.

He played 25 times for the Black and Gold in their first season in the American top flight, adding a goal and two assists, before improving with career-highs across all categories last season, as LAFC went all the way to a record-breaking season, as they took home the Supporters’ Shield after achieving the highest ever single-season points tally in MLS history.

The Colombian scored three goals and recorded 11 assists in 30 regular-season matches, all of which he started. Those 11 assists saw him rank second on the team, behind only the league’s MVP, Carlos Vela. According to whoscored.com, the midfielder was the third-best player in Major League Soccer, with his average rating of 7.57/10 seeing him fall only to team-mate Vela and LA Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic. He was rewarded for his performances by making it into the MLS Best XI for the 2019 term.

The midfielder started the 2020 calendar year by making his first appearances for the Colombian U-23 side, as they attempted to qualify for the Olympic Games football tournament. Unfortunately, they came home in 4th and were unable to secure a spot in Tokyo, but Atuesta featured six times for the side in late January and early February. He then played in both of LAFC’s opening two matches as they aim to defend their Supporters’ Shield title come the end of the season.

Home/All-Time Lists