Scoring goals is what soccer is all about. Without goals you cannot win, and without wins you cannot add points to your tally on the table. Goals are among the most exciting moments in any soccer game, bringing immense joy and satisfaction to players and fans. Throughout the years, numerous players have emerged as top scorers in MLS history.
This article will overview the ten all-time leading goal-scorers in MLS history. We’ll delve into their biographies, career achievements, and what contributed to their success on the field.
For young aspiring footballers looking for inspiration from these successful athletes’ paths toward greatness, understanding what sets them apart can be helpful – so let’s explore why they stand out amongst others.
Top 10 All-Time Scorers in the MLS
A soccer league’s success heavily relies on the players who score goals, and in Major League Soccer, a handful of athletes have earned recognition as all-time top scorers. This section explores each player’s personal story, the number of scored goals, and noteworthy accomplishments throughout their playing history.
1. Chris Wondolowski (171 goals)
Chris Wondolowski has cemented his place as an MLS legend, having spent most of his career with San Jose Earthquakes. However, after transferring from Houston Dynamo in 2009, he became one of the most formidable strikers in league history. His achievements include setting records like being the first player to score at least ten goals for nine consecutive seasons.
Wondolowski’s impressive performances have earned him numerous accolades, such as winning the MVP award in 2012 and clinching the Golden Boot six times by finishing atop the league scorers’ chart. He was also a frequent All-Star selection – eight times during his illustrious tenure on the field.
2. Landon Donovan (145 goals)
Landon Donovan is widely regarded as America’s greatest-ever soccer player due to his exceptional skills on the pitch and numerous accomplishments off it. Donovan played for LA Galaxy during his twelve seasons with MLS; however, he had brief stints at Bayer Leverkusen and Everton.
Donovan retired as a seven-time Best XI member alongside numerous other awards, such as MVP titles he earned over his long-running professional career.
3. Kei Kamara (144 goals)
Kei Kamara scored a remarkable 144 goals playing for multiple clubs across Major League Soccer during his time there, before ultimately hanging up his boots after a season with LAFC in 2024, aged 40.
Kamara led Columbus Crew SC to victory against New York Red Bulls with two incredible strikes en route to winning the Eastern Conference Championship title while earning personal accolades like Honda MVP finalist nominations along the way too.
4. Jeff Cunningham (134 goals)
Jeff Cunningham was one of MLS’ most feared strikers thanks to his pace and smooth dribbling movements, allowing him enough space near opposition’s net.
This has resulted in racking up impressive goalscoring statistics -135 successful attempts by retirement- while also bagging prestigious awards like Golden Boots twice during long-lasting professional years.
5. Jamie Moreno (133 goals)
A Bolivian forward who started his career in his home country, before moving to Columbia, and then enjoying a stint in the English Premiewr League, Jamie Moreno had plenty of international experience when he joined DC United in 1996.
He would become a club favourite at DC, scoring all but 2 of his 133 MLS goals for the club. The other 2 came from a very short spell at MetroStars (now New York Red Bulls) in 2003, before he transferred back to DC United.
6. Bradley Wright-Phillips (117 goals)
Bradley Wright-Phillips made headlines following his move from Charlton Athletic FC to New York Red Bulls. He became part & parcel of the club’s success, but also had shorter careers at LAFC and Columbus Crew.
He helped lead the Red Bulls towards 3 Supporters Shield triumphs, scored 117 goals in 9 seasons winning two Golden Boots along the way, and made various all star teams, including once in the CONCACAF Best XI.
7. Ante Razov (114 goals)
Ante Razov has left behind an impressive legacy when it comes down to striking prowess bagging 114 successful attempts under different team jerseys across multiple seasons. He spent almost his entire career playing MLS football.
This made him one of the most elite forwards ever to grace this beautiful game within the North American continent, regardless of the era played throughout the industry.
8. Jason Kreis (108 goals)
Jason Kreis carved out a successful career early on with Dallas Burn, leading the line-up from the front, proving a vital cog within tactical set-ups netting plenty-of-successful-attempts.
He notched up some significant accomplishments too, like the youngest-ever coach hired within the Major Soccer League system when he took the reigns at Real Salt Lake in 2007, successfully guiding them towards playoffs championship trophies alike.
9. Josef Martinez (107 goals)
Martinez became Atlanta United’s talismanic striker since arriving from Serie A side Torino in 2017, scoring an astonishing record-breaking 31-goal tally en route to lifting Major League Soccer’s Cup in the 2018 season.
He scored 98 goals during his six seasons at Atlanta, bagging a handful more during his brief stints at Inter Miami and CF Montreal. He is one of the few players on this list still to be playing, so his tally may well improve too.
10. Dwayne De Rosario (104 goals)
Dwayne De Rosario proved himself to be a one-of-a-kind player, scoring 104 goals between 2001 and 2014, playing for five different MLS clubs.
This is even more impressive when you remember that he was not an out and out forward, but played as an attacking midfielder too. During his time, he helped San Hose Earthquakes and Houston Dynamo to two MLS Cups apiece.
The Secrets Behind Their Success
While scoring goals is undoubtedly the hallmark of success for any striker, there’s more to these top top scorers than just putting balls into the back of nets. It takes something special – dedication, skill, perseverance – to achieve sustained excellence at such a high level.
Firstly, a permanent determination is a crucial attribute possessed by these players. They never settle for mediocrity and are constantly striving to improve themselves. This level of mental fortitude has helped them overcome obstacles on and off the pitch throughout their careers.
Secondly, technical skills such as speed, agility, finishing abilities, and heading accuracy are some essential attributes needed to succeed as a prolific scorer at this level. These players can create scoring opportunities in almost any situation due to their exceptional skillset.
Moreover, these players display an opportunistic mindset that allows them to take advantage of even half-chances during matches. As a result, they often find themselves in positions where they can frequently shoot, leading towards more goalscoring opportunities.
Lastly, the ability to accurately convert chances into goals is another vital attribute. They possess excellent composure under pressure, enabling them to stay calm in front of goals and make intelligent decisions when it matters most.