The Evolution of the MLS

For many purists, the United States’ MLS is derided as the league where aging greats go to cash in (looking at you Messi, Beckham, et. al). But increasingly savvy scouts aren’t treating it as the laughing stock of the soccer world, and discovering that there is solid talent to be found there, and at an affordable price.
Below are some prominent footballers whose path took them through the MLS, either via the youth academies or long stints with the first team. There’s no ranking here; players are listed alphabetically by surname.

Brenden Aaronson

Brenden Aaronson” by Morgan Tencza is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Nationality: American
Position: Attacking midfielder
Former MLS Club: Philadelphia Union (2019–2020)
Transferred to Red Bull Salzburg in 2021 for $6M (plus incentives); then to Leeds United in 2022 for $32M. His return to Leeds after a loan to Union Berlin has kickstarted that club’s campaign to re-enter the EPL after last years’ relegation.

Tyler Adams

Tyler Adams (28160605740)” by Hayden Schiff from Cincinnati, USA is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Nationality: American
Position: Midfielder
Former MLS Club: New York Red Bulls (2016–2018)
A true homegrown product of the Red Bulls academy, Adams transferred to fellow Red Bull-sponsored Leipzig in 2019 (fee undisclosed). In 2022 he moved to Leeds United in a deal worth $25.5M. After Leeds’ relegation in 2024, he shifted over to AFC Bournemouth.
Fun fact: he is an owner, and Technical Director, of the USL2 club Hudson Valley Hammers.

Miguel Almirón

Miguel Almirón 2021-08-07 1” by Mattythewhite is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Nationality: Paraguayan
Position: Attacking midfielder
Former MLS Club: Atlanta United (2017–2019)
Miguel’s infectious smile and happy-go-lucky attitude, not to mention his knack for scoring crazy goals, won him many hearts in Atlanta.
Just as many hearts were broken when he transferred over to Newcastle United in 2019. At least the $26.5M fee made the loss sting less.

Julián Araujo

Julian Araujo” by Jamie Smed is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Nationality: Mexican / American
Position: Right-back
Former MLS Club: LA Galaxy (2019–2023)
Born in Lompoc, CA, Julian joined the LA Galaxy from the Barça Academy in Arizona. In 2023 he was transferred over to Barcelona and immediately put out to Las Palmas on loan. He moved to AFC Bournemouth in August.
Julián is only one of three players to have represented both the United States and Mexico in senior international competitions.

Gianluca Busio

Gianluca Busio on April 7, 2019” by Jamie Smed is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Nationality: American / Italian
Position: Midfielder
Former MLS Club: Sporting Kansas City (2017–2021)
Gianluca transferred to Venezia in 2021 for $6.5M (plus add-ons) and has slotted 9 goals in 98 games. Despite holding Italian citizenship through his father, he joined the USMNT where is currently starts.

Alphonso Davies

20190428 DFL 1. Bundesliga FCN – FCB DSC 7707” by Granada is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Nationality: Canadian
Position: Left-back / winger
Former MLS Club: Vancouver Whitecaps (2016–2018)
Transferred to Bayern Munich in 2019 for $13.5M (plus add-ons & a sell-on clause). Davies is a bonafide star known for his explosive speed on the dribble, captain of the Canadian national team and a social cause advocate, particularly speaking out on the plight of referees.

Weston McKennie

Weston McKennie WC2022” by Hossein Zohrevand is licensed under CC BY 4.0.

Nationality: American
Position: Midfielder
MLS Academy: FC Dallas Academy (2009–2016)
Weston joined Schalke 04 in 2017, turning down FC Dallas’ Homegrown Player offer. After a year-long load at Juventus, he joined that club permanently on a $22M transfer. He also appears for the USMNT.

Ricardo Pepi

Ricardo Pepi Football Americana 2021 01” by Yael Averbuch West is licensed under CC BY 3.0.

Nationality: American
Position: Striker
Former MLS Club: FC Dallas (2019–2022)
Pepi exploded onto the scene in 2021 for FC Dallas when he became the youngest player to score a hat-trick (July 24 vs. LA Galaxy), and then drilling his PK (and match-winner) during the shootout of the MLS All-Star Game.
This led to his $20M transfer to FC Augsburg in 2022, though he would spend that season on loan with Groningen in the Eredivisie.
He currently plays for PSV Eindhoven after permanently moving there in 2023.

Chris Richards

Chris Richards (soccer)” by Pedro Semitiel is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Nationality: American
Position: Center-back / Defensive midfield
MLS Academy: FC Dallas Academy (2017–2018)
An imposing center-back known for his aerial prowess, Chris visited Bayern Munich in May 2018 with some FC Dallas academy teammates and never returned. Logging minutes with Bayern’s reserve unit and occasionally with the first squad, he also spent a year on loan with TSG Hoffenheim before inking his current deal with Crystal Palace on a $15.5M fee.

Zack Steffen

Zack Steffen von Fortuna Düsseldorf. “Zack-Steffen-08-2019” by Fuguito is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Nationality: American
Position: Goalkeeper
Former MLS Club: Columbus Crew (2016–2019)
A product of Pennsylvanian youth club powerhouse FC DELCO, Steffen spent four years bouncing from club to club before landing a home with Columbus Crew. His efforts for the Crew (and the USMNT) attracted Manchester City, who negotiated a transfer in 2019 for $7M. Disappointingly, Zack would only log two games with City over his five-year stay, as he was loaned out for most seasons. He currently tends the nets at Colorado Rapids.

Matt Turner

CINvRIC 2017-07-09 – Matt Turner (40074313270) (cropped)” by Hayden Schiff from Cincinnati, USA is licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Nationality: American
Position: Goalkeeper
Former MLS Club: New England Revolution (2016–2022)
Matt started playing soccer at 14, though that hasn’t stopped him from hitting both highs and lows in the sport. The highs include caps for the USMNT and being snapped up by Arsenal in 2022 for $6M; the lows include being dropped to 3rd string on numerous occasions for multiple clubs. He’s currently a backup keeper with Crystal Palace.

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