In the past, it was rare to see Argentinians on MLS rosters. Now, it's almost impossible to find a club without a few Argentinians on their books, especially with Lionel Messi now joining Inter Miami.
Many players have joined MLS from Argentina and have been influential for their respective clubs.
While there are certainly plenty of playmakers from the South American country currently in the league, there have also been key players from the country in the past.
Past Argentinians to play in MLS
Diego Valeri
Diego Valeri joined Portland Timbers in 2013 from Argentinian Club Atletico Lanus, his boyhood club. Valeri was one of the first names on the team sheet for Portland and was key to their 2015 MLS Cup triumph.
Valeri won the league's MVP award in the 2017 season, scoring 21 goals and adding 11 assists. Valeri is widely considered as the best Argentine to play in the league, but that looks set to change pretty soon.
Ignacio Piatti
CF Montreal acquired Ignacio Piatti in the summer of 2014 and the forward enjoyed six impressive seasons with the Canadian club. Piatti was also crucial to Montreal's 2019 Canadian Cup win, scoring once in the final.
Piatti scored a whopping 66 goals and 35 assists in 135 games for Montreal. His best ever season for the Western Conference team came in 2018 when he scored 16 goals and 13 assists.
Maxi Moralez
Maxi Moralez became the assist king in the Big Apple upon joining New York City FC in 2017. The midfielder was vital to NYCFC's success, winning the 2021 MLS Cup, the first major trophy in the club's history.
In the 2019 season, Moralez laid off a staggering 20 assists for the Blues. In 162 games for NYCFC, Moralez scored 26 goals and added 69 assists.
Present Argentinians playing in MLS
Luciano Acosta
Luciano Acosta has impressed during his time in MLS, standing out for D.C. United for a few seasons before joining FC Cincinnati in March of 2021.
Acosta has amassed nearly one hundred goal involvements in just over 200 MLS appearances. This season, Acosta has been leading the line for Cincinnati as they've established a sizable lead in the Eastern Conference in the race for the Supporter's Shield.
Thiago Almada
When Thiago Almada joined Atlanta United, large expectations followed given he is currently the most expensive incoming transfer in league history. But Almada has lived up to expectations and then some.
The 21-year-old, who was a part of Argentina's 2022 World Cup winning squad, has stood out this season while playing in an inconsistent Atlanta United side. The young midfielder has tallied 30-plus goal involvements in about one-and-a-half seasons in MLS, with European giants taking notice.
Emanuel Reynoso
Emanuel Reynoso has been quite effective for Minnesota United since joining the Loons in 2020. Reynoso recently made his first appearance of the season after he was previously suspended for failing to report to pre-season training camp on time.
However, the midfielder has picked up right where he left off.
When Reynoso plays, Minnesota have a high chance of scoring goals and creating lots of chances. The 27-year-old has scored 16 goals and assisted 28 times in 72 league appearances.
This article was originally published on 90min as The best past and present Argentines to play in MLS.
