Global Ambassadors: MLS All-Time, All-Foreigner Team

Soccer is, without a doubt, the world's game.

The world's top leagues are filled with a diverse mix of nationalities, races, and cultural backgrounds. When the US Soccer Federation announced the creation of MLS in the 1990's, memories of Pele, Cruyff, and Hugo Sanchez wearing NASL jerseys aroused excitement from those who envisioned an American league that employed some of the world's best.

Although that vision has come to fruition in part—with the incursions of players like David Beckham, Hristo Stoichkov, Cuauhtemoc Blanco, and Carlos Valderrama—some of the foreigners that have made their mark in America came to MLS with far less global recognition than the aforementioned.

Goalkeepers:

Pat Onstad: Since joining the league in 2003, Onstad has made more than 150 starts for San Jose and Houston, his current employer. He's been voted the league's best goalkeeper twice and helped San Jose win the MLS Cup in his debut season, while more recently keeping strikers at bay for the Dynamo, with whom he has won two more league championships.

Jorge Campos: As a member of the Galaxy, Campos made more than 50 starts. In 1998, the Mexican was part of a Chicago Fire squad that won the MLS Cup.

Walter Zenga: The Italian is maybe best remembered for fondling his girlfriend after New England scored a goal, but the former Azzurri international was complete class in the Revolution net.

Defenders:

Claudio Suarez: Aside from anchoring the Chivas USA back line, Suarez has lent his skills to set pieces, where he has scored several goals on corner kicks and penalties.

Lubos Kubik: The Czech defender played in 80 games for Chicago in the late 1990's, scoring an impressive 17 goals for a player who could function equally as a defensive midfielder or a central defender. He finished his MLS career in 2001 with the (then) Dallas Burn.

Leonel Alvarez: The Colombian was the second most capped player for his country's national team, and his eloquent style was a common sight for Dallas and New England fans towards the end of the last decade.

Ezra Hendrickson: In a long career in the MLS, almost as long as the league itself, this defender, who hails from St. Vincent, has more than 250 games under his belt. As a member of the Galaxy, he won an MLS Cup, a U.S. Open Cup, and a CONCACAF Champions' Cup.

Uche Okafor: As a member of the Wizards, the Nigerian patrolled KC's backline for five seasons as well as participating in two World Cups for his home country.

Honorable Mention: Roberto Donadoni

Midfielders:

Amado Guevara: The 2004 MLS MVP winner has also been named to the league's best XI once. After four solid seasons for the MetroStars/RBNY, he's now in Toronto trying to reclaim the level of play he showed fans and pundits alike in New York.

Mauricio Cienfuegos: As a member of the LA Galaxy, Cienfuegos played in more than 200 league games. His 35 goals helped the team win three different tournaments during that span. At the time of his retirement, only Cobi Jones had more goals as a midfielder in franchise history.

Simon Elliott: For seven MLS seasons, the Kiwi shut down opposing offenses, making a living by pickpocketing strikers and offensive midfielders alike. His impressive play earned him a contract in the EPL for Fullham.

Peter Nowak: In Chicago, the classy Pole closed out a career that had spanned almost 20 years in European leagues. His 26 goals have earned him a spot in the MLS' All-Time Best XI.

Carlos Valderrama: One of the best players the world has ever seen, the flashy Colombian spent eight seasons in MLS. His brilliant passes and dazzling moves live on forever in dozens of YouTube videos. El Pibe was also selected by MLS as one of its best eleven players of all-time.

Marco Etcheverry: Nicknamed El Diablo (The Devil) with good reason, the Bolivian midfielder terrorized defenses by scoring and launching pinpoint passes indiscriminately. In almost 200 games for D.C. United, Etcheverry dished out 101 assists.

Honorable Mentions: Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Preki

Strikers:

Carlos Ruiz: This striker is synonymous with scoring in the MLS. In Los Angeles, Ruiz scored 50 goals before being traded to FC Dallas. In three years in Texas, Ruiz added 31 more scores to his resume. After an injury-plagued second spell for the Galaxy, Ruiz finds himself as the first choice striker for Toronto FC.

Stern John: In only two years in MLS, John scored 44 times in only 55 games. His astounding pace launched a career for him in England, where he remains today—eight years after leaving America.

Jaime Moreno: The league's most prolific scorer has kept a steady average of more than ten goals per season since entering the league in 1996. Only a year long spell in Middlesborough has kept him from playing in the whole of MLS's existence.

Raul Diaz Arce: Despite never being on a single team for more than two seasons, the El Salvadorian scored 82 times in his six seasons in MLS. At the time of his departure from the league, he was the second most prolific goalscorer in history.

Carlos Hermosillo: As part of the Mexican invasion in the league's early years, Hermosillo was one of the few who met expectations. Playing as a supporting striker, he was able to score 19 goals and record 16 assists in two seasons.

Diego Serna: Along with Valderrama, Serna was the face of the now-gone Miami Fusion for much of its history. In 100 games in Miami, he scored 52 goals and provided 36 assists. He last played for Colorado in 2005.

Honorable Mentions: Luciano Emilio, Juan Pablo Angel, Hristo Stoichkov