Ranking the Top 50 Players in MLS in 2014
Thanks to the performances of many world-class stars, Major League Soccer experienced one of its best seasons to date in 2014.
Not only did the likes of Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Thierry Henry shine bright this season, but plenty of young players broke into the spotlight for their respective showings on the pitch.
With the season now over, it is time to take one final look back and rank the top 50 players from the 2014 campaign.
Players were ranked based on statistics from regular-season play, impact on their respective side, intangibles and postseason performances if applicable.
Here is a look at our comprehensive ranking of the 50 best players to step foot on an MLS pitch this season.
Honorable Mention
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These players deserve some recognition for their terrific seasons, despite failing to crack the list of the top 50 players in the league.
Honorable Mention
Tony Tchani, Columbus
Davy Arnaud, D.C.
Cristian Maidana, Philadelphia
Harry Shipp, Chicago
Lloyd Sam, New York
Steve Birnbaum, D.C.
Juninho, LA
Dillon Powers, Colorado
Jon Busch, San Jose
Luke Mulholland, Real Salt Lake
50. Chris Tierney, LB, New England
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We didn't see the impact Chris Tierney had on the Revolution until the club's run to the MLS Cup Final.
Tierney had one breakout game in the regular season against Philadelphia on May 17, as he scored his lone regular-season goal with his dangerous left foot.
In the playoffs, the left-back became a vital part of the New England squad, as he contributed two goals and two assists in five postseason matches.
Tierney did have a solid year on the defensive side of the ball, but he made his true mark on the team moving forward.
49. Steve Clark, GK, Columbus
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The best acquisition made by Columbus manager Gregg Berhalter in 2014 was the signing of Steve Clark from Norwegian side Honefoss.
Clark was a stud in goal for the Crew, who made a surging run during the final two months of the regular season before they were ousted from the playoffs by New England.
The 28-year-old American started every game in net and made 111 saves behind an ever-changing back four.
Along with recording the second-highest save total in the league, Clark recorded the fourth-most wins with 14.
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48. DeAndre Yedlin, RB, Seattle
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DeAndre Yedlin experienced a whirlwind season for both club and country.
The 21-year-old right-back burst on to the international stage at the World Cup with an electric showing on the right wing for the United States.
That performance helped him earn a move to Tottenham over the summer. When he returned to Seattle, Yedlin improved his defending while still moving forward.
Yedlin will face the biggest test of his career in the near future as he prepares himself for the rigors of European football.
47. Perry Kitchen, CM, D.C.
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Perry Kitchen was one of many young Americans to play a huge role for a playoff-bound club in 2014.
The 22-year-old formed a formidable partnership in the middle of the park with Davy Arnaud during D.C. United's worst-to-first season.
Kitchen averaged 1.8 tackles and 1.5 interceptions per game on defense, while he scored five goals and had four assists in the final third.
One thing he does have to work on is his discipline, as he finished the season with 11 yellow cards.
46. Jermain Defoe, FW, Toronto
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Despite his tumultuous injury row near the end of the season, Jermain Defoe did make an impact when he was on the pitch for Toronto FC.
Defoe, who opened his season with three goals in his first two games, finished the year with 11 goals in 19 games for the Reds.
Unfortunately for fans of the club, Defoe only featured in four matches from August to October. His absence was one of the many factors that played a role in Toronto's failure to qualify for the postseason.
Whether he returns in 2015 is still up in the air, but there is no doubt Toronto would welcome a healthy Defoe back with open arms.
45. Mauro Rosales, AM, Chivas USA/Vancouver
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Mauro Rosales has been no stranger to playing the role of provider throughout his four seasons in MLS.
Rosales earned his third season with 10-plus assists while splitting time between Chivas USA and Vancouver.
The Argentinian's departure from Chivas USA was a bit shocking since he played a key role with eight assists in 21 games.
Just over a month after earning three assists against Vancouver, Rosales was traded to the Whitecaps. During his 11 games with Vancouver, he earned an additional three assists.
44. Kendall Waston, CB, Vancouver
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Few players had a bigger impact in a shorter amount of time in MLS this season than Kendall Waston.
The towering center-back was brought in by Vancouver over the summer, and he rewarded the Whitecaps right away with his performances in the back four.
On top of all his defensive efforts, Waston scored the game-winning goal against Colorado during the final week of the regular season to clinch a playoff berth.
A week before he sent the Whitecaps into the playoffs, Waston delivered a massive showing against Seattle with 18 clearances, six tackles and four interceptions.
43. Brad Davis, LM, Houston
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Brad Davis' season flew under the radar a bit due to the struggles of the Houston Dynamo.
The left-footed star was up to his normal tricks in the assist department, as he earned 11 in 25 games for the Dynamo.
Unlike some of his teammates on the United States World Cup squad, Davis saw a boost in form after returning from Brazil.
The left winger scored three of his four goals in his first two games after getting back from South America, and he earned six assists from mid-July to October.
42. Kyle Beckerman, CDM, Real Salt Lake
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After Beckermania took over Brazil, the 32-year-old midfielder returned to help Real Salt Lake earn the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference playoffs.
Kyle Beckerman played a key role in RSL's diamond midfield with his passing and tackling skills.
In his eighth season with the Claret and Cobalt, Beckerman had a pass success rate of 83.6 percent and averaged 2.1 interceptions and 1.9 tackles per game.
Beckerman also played a bigger role moving forward during the stretch run of the regular season to create more chances for Jeff Cassar's side.
41. Robbie Rogers, LB, LA
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After failing to find a spot in the squad last season, Robbie Rogers transformed himself into one of the best left-backs in the league.
The converted midfielder was a substitute for the first three months of the season. But once he slotted into his new position, he didn't come out of the starting lineup.
LA Galaxy manager Bruce Arena must be credited with the position change, but Rogers does deserve praise for his flawless transition and execution at the position.
With so much success at the position in 2014, Rogers could find his way into the United States men's national team discussion with the CONCACAF Gold Cup ahead in 2015.
40. Graham Zusi, AM, Sporting Kansas City
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Compared to his 2013 attacking statistics, Graham Zusi had a bit of a down year for Sporting Kansas City.
However, despite posting smaller totals in goals, shots and shots on target, Zusi still played a major role in the SKC attack.
Zusi scored five goals on 13 shots on goal and recorded eight assists in 2,151 minutes over 25 matches.
The United States international also led the 2013 MLS Cup champion in key passes per game with 2.7.
39. Giles Barnes, FW, Houston
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For the second consecutive season, Giles Barnes impressed up top for the Houston Dynamo.
A year after netting nine goals in 33 games, the 26-year-old Englishman found the back of the net 11 times in 34 games.
Despite the poor results put up by the Dynamo near the end of the regular season, Barnes finished with a bang by scoring six goals in September and October.
The former Derby County and West Bromwich Albion player will get to work with former Bolton and Burnley boss Owen Coyle in 2015. Coyle was appointed as the new manager in Houston last week.
38. Sebastien Le Toux, AM, Philadelphia
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In a season full of change in Philadelphia, Sebastien Le Toux delivered on a consistent basis in an attack void of a big-name forward.
Le Toux, who is one of the most beloved players on the Union roster, contributed to 19 strikes with 12 goals and seven assists in his fourth season with the club.
The Frenchman was employed as a forward on a few occasions, but his primary position in 2014 was on the left side of a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Before the frightening late-season collapse by the Union, Le Toux brought the club to the brink of a playoff berth. During a six-game span in August and September, the 30-year-old played a role in eight goals.
37. Michael Bradley, CM, Toronto
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Michael Bradley took a lot of criticism from many people throughout 2014, but he had quite a good season for Toronto FC.
Bradley was an absolute workhorse in the middle of the Toronto midfield in the 25 games he started.
The 27-year-old actually played in his best position for the Reds, and he was one of the few bright spots in a disappointing, injury-plagued season.
He ended the year with an 85.8 percent pass success rate, 2.0 shots and 1.6 key passes per game.
36. Blas Perez, FW, FC Dallas
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Blas Perez replicated his performance from 2013 with the same amount of goals and a few more assists in 2014.
The Panamanian forward scored 11 goals once again for the Hoops, but he added to his assist total by three in manager Oscar Pareja's first season.
Perez scored sporadically throughout the first few months of the season and then came on late as FC Dallas made a push for the playoffs.
Five of Perez's goals came from September 13 on, which helped the Hoops earn the fourth seed in the Western Conference.
35. Waylon Francis, LB, Columbus
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It was generally a down year for the full-back position in MLS, but one of the few standout wing defenders was Columbus' Waylon Francis.
The 24-year-old Costa Rican was a strong asset to a back four that conceded 42 goals, which was the third-lowest total in the Eastern Conference behind D.C. and Sporting KC.
Not only did Francis play well on defense, but he also contributed six assists to the Columbus attack.
Heading into 2015, the Columbus back four has the potential to become one of the best in the league.
34. Luis Silva, CAM, D.C.
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Luis Silva enjoyed a breakout season in the D.C. United attack with 11 goals and four assists for the Eastern Conference regular-season champion.
Silva's best game of the season came on June 11, when he netted a hat-trick against lowly Montreal at Stade Saputo.
The former Toronto FC player added two braces to his season before he suffered an injury in October.
Silva suffered a hamstring injury in the October 12 match against Houston, and he never returned to the D.C. lineup before it was eliminated from the postseason by New York.
33. Lamar Neagle, AM, Seattle
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Clint Dempsey and Obafemi Martins may have received all of the praise for starring in the Seattle attack, but without Lamar Neagle, the Sounders wouldn't have been as effective moving forward.
The versatile Neagle split his time on the left and right wings for the Supporters' Shield winners. Wherever he played, the Washington native impressed, as he scored nine goals and contributed nine assists.
Neagle went on a tear during the final two months of the season by scoring four goals and adding four assists. One of those goals was a key strike in the 2-2 draw with the LA Galaxy in the penultimate game of the regular season.
The 27-year-old's totals in goals and assists were career highs in his fourth MLS season.
32. Benny Feilhaber, CM, Sporting Kansas City
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While many young Americans were making their mark on the league in 2014, Benny Feilhaber continued the resurrection of his career in the Sporting Kansas City midfield.
After moving to Sporting in 2013, Feilhaber began the process of becoming one of the best players at his position.
The 29-year-old popped back into the United States men's national team conversation with plenty of strong performances in the middle of the park for Peter Vermes' side. Feilhaber also showed off his prowess on set pieces on a few occasions with his free-kick against the Galaxy on July 19 being his best goal of the season.
Feilhaber had an 81.6 percent pass success rate and averaged 2.3 tackles per game during SKC's disappointing season.
31. Michael Parkhurst, CB, Columbus
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Michael Parkhurst returned to MLS after six seasons overseas and didn't miss a beat in the middle of the Columbus defense.
The former Nordsjaelland and Augsburg player formed a terrific partnership with Giancarlo Gonzalez, who was sold to Palermo after the World Cup.
The center-back started 33 of the Crew's 34 games and averaged five clearances and 2.8 interceptions per game.
In those 34 games, Parkhurst earned just one booking, which came in the May 31 loss to Toronto FC.
30. Fabian Castillo, LM, FC Dallas
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For a four-game stretch in August, an argument could have been made that Fabian Castillo was the best player in MLS.
During his four-game run, the 22-year-old Colombian tore apart the defenses of Chivas USA, Colorado, San Jose and Real Salt Lake. FC Dallas won those four games by a combined score of 11-2.
Castillo scored four goals on 19 shots and contributed two assists, as he made his mark on the 2014 season.
The electric winger cooled off dramatically toward the end of the campaign, but he did finish the season with 10 goals and four assists.
29. Federico Higuain, CAM, Columbus
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Federico Higuain was once again the pulse of the Columbus attack with 11 goals and seven assists for Gregg Berhalter's side.
The older brother of Gonzalo Higuain recorded three key passes per game, which was the third-highest total in the league behind Landon Donovan and Javier Morales.
Although he did produce near-identical numbers compared to the 2013 season, Higuain was not the best player in the team's attack this season. That player is ranked a bit higher than the Argentinian.
28. Wil Trapp, CDM, Columbus
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Wil Trapp is not the aforementioned player from the Higuain slide, but he did play a key role in Columbus' success in 2014.
The 21-year-old defensive midfielder controlled the pace of many games and even earned the highest of praises from Thierry Henry.
In his second season in MLS, Trapp recorded the sixth-most tackles per game with three and also earned 2.3 interceptions per game.
Thanks to his play for the Crew this season, Trapp should be receiving a call from Jurgen Klinsmann sooner rather than later.
27. Osvaldo Alonso, CDM, Seattle
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Osvaldo Alonso is known as one of the toughest midfield enforcers in the league, and he lived up to that role in 2014.
Alonso had the third-highest average in tackles per game at 3.6 and had the league's highest pass success rate at 91 percent.
The 29-year-old controlled the pace of many Sounders games, as he also averaged 64 passes per game, which was the third-highest total in MLS.
Unfortunately, all of his possession-based skills were not enough to help produce a Sounders berth in the MLS Cup Final, as they were knocked out by the Galaxy in the Western Conference final.
26. Jermaine Jones, CDM, New England
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Jermaine Jones made a massive impact on the New England Revolution after he joined the team in August following a controversial blind draw.
The United States international brought an extra element to the Revolution attack, as his presence opened up space for Lee Nguyen to thrive in the final two months of the regular season.
Jones continued to shine throughout the postseason, as he was arguably the best player in the league through the first two rounds of the playoffs.
After impressing during the final four months of New England's season, it will be interesting to see if he can have the same impact over the entire 34-game campaign in 2015.
25. Nat Borchers, CB, Real Salt Lake
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In what turned out to be his final season at the back for Real Salt Lake, Nat Borchers brought an enforcing presence to the center-back position.
The anchor of the RSL defense helped the Claret and Cobalt concede just 39 goals, which was the second-lowest total in the Western Conference.
Borchers was also a key asset to his side when it needed him most, as he had a few of his best games of the season when Chris Schuler was out injured.
In the three games Schuler missed with a facial injury in October, Borchers and the RSL defense earned three consecutive clean sheets.
24. Ethan Finlay, RM, Columbus
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The breakout star in the Columbus attack in 2014 was 24-year-old winger Ethan Finlay.
The Creighton University product scored 11 goals and earned seven assists in his third season with the club.
Finlay did not earn his first start of the season until May 24, when he scored his second goal of the season against Chicago. A week before earning a spot in the starting 11, he netted his first goal in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Portland.
The dynamic playmaker cranked up his form in the middle of the playoff push for the Crew, as he found the back of the net on five occasions starting on September 13.
23. Joao Plata, FW, Real Salt Lake
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Ecuadorian forward Joao Plata caught our eye in the first month of the season with two goals and two assists in his first three matches.
The 5'2" Plata did miss his share of games throughout the season, but he always seemed to return with a bang for a Real Salt Lake side without Alvaro Saborio for most of the year.
Plata impressed many, including the brass of the Ecuador national team, during his 26 games for the third-place side in the Western Conference.
Thanks to his 13 goals and six assists in 2014, Plata earned himself a spot on the Ecuador roster for a few friendlies this fall.
22. Chris Wondolowski, FW, San Jose
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If it wasn't for Michael Bradley's presence, Chris Wondolowski would earn the title of most criticized United States international in MLS.
Wondolowski, who has his share of fans and critics, scored more than 10 goals for a fifth consecutive season in a San Jose Earthquakes shirt.
His 14 goals in 26 games was the third-highest total of his career behind his 27 in 2012 and 18 in 2010.
Expect Wondolowski to hit double digits again in 2015 for an improved San Jose side under the tutelage of new manager Dominic Kinnear.
21. Matias Laba, CDM, Vancouver
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Sometimes it's a good thing for a midfield enforcer to gain as little attention as Matias Laba did in 2014.
The 23-year-old led the league in tackles per game at 4.9 and had the highest interceptions-per-game rate of any midfielder at 2.8.
Because of how electric the playmakers were for Vancouver in the attacking half, Laba was able to concentrate on defensive duties instead of doing too much to set up the attack.
If he continues to excel for the Whitecaps in 2015, do not be surprised if European eyes begin to focus on the Argentinian.
20. Fabian Espindola, FW, D.C.
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In his first season with D.C. United, Fabian Espindola recorded his highest goal total since joining MLS in 2007.
The former Real Salt Lake and New York player was a key contributor in attack for the Eastern Conference regular-season champion with 11 goals and nine assists.
The presence of Espindola up top also helped the development of Luis Silva, who enjoyed a strong season next to the 29-year-old.
Although he did score a solid amount of goals in league play, Espindola's most impressive effort came in the CONCACAF Champions League against Waterhouse FC of Jamaica.
19. Omar Gonzalez, CB, LA
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In a back four full of flux due to positional changes and injuries, Omar Gonzalez was the one constant in the LA Galaxy defense.
In 22 regular-season and five postseason appearances for the MLS Cup champion, Gonzalez averaged 7.8 clearances, 2.9 interceptions and 1.3 tackles per game.
With Gonzalez commanding the middle of the back four, the Galaxy conceded 37 goals, which was tied with D.C. for fewest in the league.
During the Galaxy's impressive run to their fifth MLS Cup title, Gonzalez and the rest of the back four earned three clean sheets in five games.
18. Matt Hedges, CB, FC Dallas
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The United States men's national team may have found its successor to Gonzalez at center-back in Matt Hedges.
The 24-year-old FC Dallas defender had a terrific year for a surprising FC Dallas squad led by manager Oscar Pareja.
Hedges averaged 6.9 clearances and 3.2 interceptions in a season where he also scored three goals for the Hoops.
The young center-back also has a splendid disciplinary record to boast, as he committed 29 fouls and earned four yellow cards in the regular season.
17. Bobby Boswell, CB, D.C.
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Without the presence of Bobby Boswell in defense, D.C. United may not have completed their worst-to-first turnaround.
The former Houston Dynamo defensive ace brought stability and experience to a D.C. side in need of both after a brutal 2013 season in which it earned 16 points. D.C. surpassed the 16-point mark this season on May 21.
Boswell earned 6.9 clearances and 2.3 interceptions per game next to Steve Birnbaum and Jeff Parke at center-back for Ben Olsen's side.
By leaving for D.C., Boswell left a huge void in the Houston defense. In 2014, the Dynamo allowed 58 goals, which tied Montreal for the highest total in the Eastern Conference.
16. Gyasi Zardes, FW, LA
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After coming up short on plenty of chances in his first professional season, Gyasi Zardes showed a ton of improvement up top for the Galaxy.
The California native produced 16 goals in 32 regular-season games for Bruce Arena's side. He scored the majority of those strikes throughout the summer after he earned a spot in the starting 11.
Zardes finished off his impressive scoring stretch with five goals in three games against Chivas USA, Colorado and Montreal.
The 23-year-old only scored once after September 28, but that one opened up the scoring in the MLS Cup final.
15. Bill Hamid, GK, D.C.
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Everyone knew Bill Hamid was a solid goalkeeper heading into the season, but he exceeded expectations in 2014 for D.C. United.
Hamid, who is now third on the United States men's national team goalkeeping depth chart with Tim Howard on a one-year hiatus, made 110 saves in 30 appearances for the Black and Red.
The 24-year-old also recorded a career high in wins with 14 in a season where he played in his 100th game for D.C.
On the international level, Hamid earned a start in the final United States match of the year against the Republic of Ireland. He should also be the front-runner for the starting 'keeper role at the 2015 Gold Cup.
14. Nick Rimando, GK, Real Salt Lake
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Just like a fine wine, Nick Rimando's form in between the pipes only gets better with age.
The 35-year-old 'keeper once again thrived in net for Real Salt Lake, and because of his strong form, he earned a spot on the United States World Cup roster.
Despite not playing in Brazil, Rimando was able to jump right back into the RSL net and deliver key performances for Jeff Cassar's side.
During his 13-win season, Rimando broke the league's all-time shutout record on August 9 in a 3-0 victory over D.C.
13. Pedro Morales, CAM, Vancouver
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Pedro Morales was one of the top newcomers in MLS in 2014, as he produced 10 goals and 12 assists for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Chilean designated player was the perfect replacement for Camilo Sanvezzo, who left the club for Mexican side Queretaro after scoring 22 goals in 2013.
Morales provided a key veteran presence in an attacking-midfield role for a Whitecaps side littered with youth.
The 29-year-old turned in one of the standout individual performances of the season on July 27 against FC Dallas. In the 2-2 home draw, Morales attempted 12 shots, five of which were on target, and made six key passes to go along with a goal from the spot in the 53rd minute.
12. Erick 'Cubo' Torres, FW, Chivas USA
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In Chivas USA's final season of play, Erick "Cubo" Torres provided a wonderful spark up top with 15 goals.
Eight of Torres' goals came in the first 10 games of the season, as he earned a single goal on eight occasions.
Unlike most of the top scorers in the league, Torres never scored more than one goal in a game this season.
The 21-year-old Mexican is one of the—if not the—best young talents in the league, but his status for the 2015 season is unknown.
11. Chad Marshall, CB, Seattle
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Plenty of defenders turned in strong seasons in 2014, but few players meant more to his team than Seattle's Chad Marshall.
You could make the argument that without Marshall leading the back four, Seattle would not have earned the Supporters' Shield or a berth in the Western Conference final.
In 35 MLS matches this season, Marshall averaged 7.1 clearances and 4.3 interceptions per game for a Sounders side that earned 20 wins in the regular season.
In the three games Marshall missed during the regular season, Seattle looked completely lost in defense and conceded on six occasions in two losses and a draw.
10. Javier Morales, CAM, Real Salt Lake
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Among all the exciting goalscorers in 2014, Javier Morales' terrific production in the Real Salt Lake midfield was lost on some.
The 34-year-old Argentinian stepped up to become a reliable scorer as well as strong provider due to injuries and some inconsistency at the forward position.
Morales ended the regular season with nine goals, 12 assists and an average of 3.2 key passes per game.
His nine goals were the highest total he recorded since joining RSL in 2007, while his assist total was three short of the 15 he earned back in 2008.
9. Diego Valeri, AM, Portland
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Following an impressive debut season in MLS in 2013, Diego Valeri improved his numbers during a rough 2014 for the Portland Timbers.
The Argentinian designated player scored 11 goals on 42 shots on target for Caleb Porter's side, who missed the Western Conference playoffs by one point.
Valeri's play gained a bigger importance as the season progressed due to the lack of contributions from Darlington Nagbe, who was a breakout star in 2013.
The 28-year-old creative midfielder ended the season with team highs in goals, assists and key passes per game.
8. Clint Dempsey, FW, Seattle
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Clint Dempsey thrived in his first full season with the Seattle Sounders by playing a role in 25 of the club's 65 goals scored in the regular season.
The 15 goals and 10 assists were massive improvements on the lackluster numbers put up by the tired Dempsey in 2013.
The captain of the United States men's national team compiled such strong numbers all season due to the presence of Obafemi Martins next to him in attack.
Throughout the season, Dempsey and Martins displayed a skillful understanding of each other's game, which put plenty of opposing defenses under pressure.
7. Thierry Henry, FW, New York
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Thierry Henry's final season with the New York Red Bulls was a memorable one from start to finish.
Henry helped eliminate the team's curse at home during the postseason with wins over Sporting Kansas City and D.C. in less than a week.
During the five-game postseason run put together by the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, Henry produced five assists.
In 30 regular-season games for Mike Petke's side, the legend of the game scored 10 goals and earned 14 assists.
6. Dom Dwyer, FW, Sporting Kansas City
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Dom Dwyer was a key part of the youth movement across MLS in 2014, as he played a major role in the Golden Boot race for most goals of the regular season.
The 24-year-old, who displayed a taste for goal on loan at Orlando City in 2013, exploded for 22 goals in 33 games for Sporting Kansas City.
Some of Dwyer's best games of the season came against the Montreal Impact, against whom he scored six times. In all three matches against Montreal, Dwyer bagged a brace.
Dwyer's chase for the goalscoring throne eventually came up five goals short, but he still left a major impact on one of the league's most historic sides.
5. Obafemi Martins, FW, Seattle
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Since he first caught our attention with Inter Milan in the early 2000s, Obafemi Martins has had a knack for producing big numbers in the goal department.
The 30-year-old Nigerian had one of the most productive seasons in his career in 2014 with Seattle, as he tallied 17 goals and 13 assists.
The finalist for Most Valuable Player put up higher totals than Dempsey due to the American's absence from the squad during the buildup to the World Cup.
On five occasions during the regular season, Martins found himself on the scoresheet twice. Two of those performances came against Chivas USA, while Chicago, Portland and Colorado were the other victims.
4. Lee Nguyen, CM, New England
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If you asked anyone who followed MLS before the season who the best player on the New England Revolution would be, few would have mentioned Lee Nguyen.
The 28-year-old surprised everyone with his dynamic season in the middle of the park for the Revolution, who benefited from his 20 goals and eight assists in 37 total games.
Nguyen did surprise some with his terrific start to the 2014 campaign, but it was his conclusion to the regular season that put him in the Most Valuable Player discussion.
The United States international scored 10 goals during the final 11 games of the regular season. He followed that up with two goals and three assists in five postseason matches.
3. Landon Donovan, AM, LA
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Landon Donovan said farewell to MLS in only a way he could, as he captured his sixth MLS Cup on December 7.
In his final professional season, Donovan became the all-time league leader in goals and assists, and he led the league in assists with 19.
Donovan, who came into form after being left off the United States World Cup roster, netted 10 goals on just 24 shots on target for the LA Galaxy.
On the way to winning the Galaxy's fifth-ever postseason title, Donovan added three goals and two assists before he hung up his boots for good.
2. Bradley Wright-Phillips, FW, New York
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Through the first seven games of the season, Bradley Wright-Phillips was nowhere close to the top of the Golden Boot standings.
When the regular season concluded at the end of October, the man who scored once in his first seven matches had 27 goals to his name.
Wright-Phillips' scoring blitz began with a hat-trick in New York's 4-0 win over Houston on April 23. The English forward would go on to score two more hat-tricks on the way to tying the single-season scoring record.
From April 23 up until September 6, Wright-Phillips found the back of the net on 20 occasions to leave his mark on the MLS record book.
1. Robbie Keane, FW, LA
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While an argument can be made for other players to top this list, no single player meant more to his squad in 2014 than Robbie Keane.
Without Keane leading the line for the Galaxy, Donovan and Zardes would not have put up high goal and assist totals.
The Republic of Ireland international scored a total of 21 goals in 34 MLS matches in 2014. He also contributed 17 assists to the most lethal attack in the league. Due to his massive impact in attack, he earned the league's Most Valuable Player award.
As if those numbers weren't enough to persuade you, Keane also scored the most meaningful goal in the league this season. His 111th-minute strike in the MLS Cup final allowed the Galaxy to hoist the trophy in front of the home fans at StubHub Center.
Follow Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90.
All statistics obtained from MLSSoccer.com and WhoScored.com.
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