Well, we made it. For the final piece in the MLS 11, we are going to be looking at the top five strikers in MLS.
Honorable Mentions: Dom Dwyer, Cyle Larin, Josef Martinez, Nemanja Nikolic, Clint Dempsey
1. David Villa, New York City FC
There is a lot of buzz around David Villa right now. He was just recently called-up to the Spanish National Team for their World Cup Qualifiers against Italy and Liechtenstein. Clearly the call-up is a testament to the fact David Villa is still producing on a world-class level (which he is) and that MLS is producing some quality, talented football. For NYCFC this season, Villa has been lethal.
2. Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC
Instead of it being David Villa at number one and Sebastian Giovinco at number two, it really should be Villa 1a and Giovinco 1b. Even that, might be doing Giovinco a disservice. Seba is so talented that he not only deserves to be in the top strikers conversation, but in the top MLS players of all time discussion as well. In the midst of Toronto FC's historic season, Giovinco is having another top-class season of his own. Do we really expect anything less?
3. Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
Bradley Wright-Phillips is criminally underrated. He is one of Major League Soccer's all time leading goal scorers. Unsurprisingly he leads the Red Bulls in goals this season, with 15. While BWP is not the flashiest striker in MLS, especially when compared to the dazzling David Villa and Sebastian Giovinco, he is able to the job done with solid finishes and flawless runs.
4. Jozy Altidore, Toronto FC
The only American on this list, Jozy Altidore has had another fantastic season for Toronto FC. Playing in Greg Vanney's 3-5-2 system has allowed Jozy to play in a more free role. Instead of having to play as a lone striker in more of a target man role, lining up next to Sebastian Giovinco gives him the freedom to drop deeper into midfield to receive the ball and get involved in build up play. Between Jozy and Gio, watch out for TFC in the playoffs.
5. Fenando Adi, Portland Timbers
The final player in the MLS 11 series, Fenando Adi has been fantastic for Portland this season. He is the perfect fit to play as the target man in Caleb Porter's 4-2-3-1. With a midfield trio of Diego Valeri, Darlington Nagbe, and Sebastian Blanco playing right underneath Adi, Portland has the freedom to build up creatively through those three players, or to play off of the 6'4" Nigerian striker. Between Adi and the rest of the Timbers' midfielders, Portland has one of the most potent attacks in all of Major League Soccer.
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Published by Joseph Lowery