Major League Soccer

MLS all-time top scorers

By Hector Garcia

The first MLS season was played in 1996, since then, many players have made their mark and will be remembered as Major League Soccer's top scorers.

The first MLS season was played in 1996, since then, many players have made their mark and will be remembered as Major League Soccer's top scorers.

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MLS began in 1996 with 10 teams. Since its founding it had financial problems that caused the disappearance of two teams in 2002, however, they recovered and implemented certain rules that have made the league a profitable business. 

They began to build specific stadiums for soccer teams, added the designated player rule that allows the signing of a star player without a salary cap, as well as contracts with television broadcasters.

After 26 years and overcoming the obstacles that have appeared, the league now has 28 total teams, 14 from each conference, with Charlotte FC as the last expansion team.

During these 26 years of MLS, several players have built a formidable career in front of goal, becoming the historical scorers of the competition. In this article, we introduce you to the all-time MLS goal scorers until 2021.

 

10. Taylor Twellman

Taylor Twellman played for the New England Revolution, his only club during his MLS career. He joined the club in 2002 from Bundesliga 2 side 1860 Munich II. Since his arrival, the former American soccer player scored a total of 111 goals, including 10 in the MLS playoffs. He retired from soccer in November 2010. A curious fact about the player is that he was born on February 29.

9. Dwayne De Rosario

Dwayne de Rosario was a Canadian player who played as an attacking midfielder. He began his career with the Toronto Lynx, who compete in the USL Premier Development League. He then had a brief stint in Germany with FSV Zwickau before joining the Richmond Strikers, where he stayed for almost three years, before arriving at the San Jose Earthquakes in Major League Soccer.

In MLS, the former Canadian player performed for 5 teams, San Jose Earthquakes, Houston Dynamo, Toronto FC, New York Red Bulls, and D.C. United. United. He scored a total of 104 goals plus 5 in the MLS playoffs. He retired from soccer in July 2019 at the age of 41.

It should be noted that the goals taken into account for the classification are those scored in regular seasons.

8. Jason Kreis

Before coming to MLS, Jason Kreis played for the Blue Devils and Raleigh Flyers. He then spent his MLS debut season with FC Dallas, with whom he played until the end of 2004, before joining Real Salt Lake, where he retired in 2007.

He scored a total of 108 goals in regular seasons plus 3 goals in the MLS playoffs. Kreis become head coach and has commanded Real Salt Lake, New York City FC, and Orlando City.

7. Ante Razov

Forward Ante Razov played for eight different teams throughout his career. He started playing for the UCL Bruins before moving to the Los Angeles Galaxy, where he had his first stint in MLS. After playing for the LA Galaxy he moved to the Chicago Fire, where he stayed for two years.

He then had the opportunity to play in Spain with Racing Ferrol and returned to Chicago after just one year. He played another 4 years for Chicago before moving on to Columbus Crew, Metro Stars, New York Red Bulls, and Chivas USA.

He scored a total of 114 goals in regular seasons plus 11 goals in the MLS playoffs. 

6. Bradley Wright-Phillips

Bradley Wright-Phillips is an active English player who plays as a striker for Columbus Crew SC. He started his career playing for Manchester City before eventually making his way to the MLS in 2013. In his first full season with the league, he equaled the record for most goals in a single campaign with 27.

He has scored a total of 114 goals in regular seasons plus 9 in the MLS playoffs.

5. Kei Kamara

Kei Kamara is a striker from Sierra Leona who currently plays for Finland team Helsinki IFK. The 6'3 powerhouse forward played most of his career in the MLS. Kamara scored 129 goals in 356 MLS games. He is a two-time Eastern Conference champion and in 2007 won the MLS Fair Play award. In 2015 he was the top scorer of the MLS Cup and was also an MLS All-Star.

4. Jaime Moreno

Jaime Moreno is a former Bolivian player who played for D.C. United for most of his career. He was the all-time leading scorer in MLS history when he retired in 2010. In 2009 he became the first MLS player to reach 100 goals and 100 assists. 

He scored a total of 133 goals in regular seasons plus 12 in the MLS playoffs.

3. Jeff Cunningham

Jeff Cunningham is a former American player who played as a forward. He is a two-time MLS Golden Boot winner and a three-time MLS Best XI. In 2010 Cunningham won the MLS Western Conference Championship with FC Dallas. 

Cunningham has 134 goals in 365 MLS appearances. He won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in 2002 and the MLS Supporters' Shield in 2004 with the Columbus Crew. He played only 14 games for the United States national team and scored one goal for his country.

2. Landon Donovan

Landon Donovan is a former American player who holds multiple MLS and United States national team records. He is regarded as one of the best United States men's soccer players of all time and has the numbers to back up that claim.  

Donovan has 146 goals in 340 MLS games. He has the record for most MLS Cups with six and he is also the leagues' all-time leader in assists. He also has four CONCACAF Gold Cups and two Supporters' Shields with LA Galaxy. He was awarded the MLS Greatest Player of All Time award.

1. Chris Wondolowski

Chris Wondolowski, the former San Jose Earthquakes player, is the current all-time MLS top goalscorer. The former American player retired from soccer at the end of 2021. He is the only player in the league's history to have scored ten or more goals in ten consecutive seasons and has the record for most MLS game-winning goals

"Wondo" scored 169 goals in 410 MLS appearances. He won two MLS Cups with Houston Dynamo and two Supporters' Shields with the San Jose Earthquakes. Wondo is a two-time MLS Golden Boot and a three-time MLS Best XI. 

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