Ranking the Top Canadian Players to Feature in the MLS
Major League Soccer may be rooted in the U.S., but Canadian players have shaped its story in many ways. These athletes have scored clutch goals, worn the captain’s armband, and helped raise the standard for Canadian talent in North America’s top league.
This list ranks the most impactful Canadian MLS players by performance, consistency, honours, and influence at both the club and league levels. Each played a role in defining what success means for Canadians in the MLS.
1. Dwayne De Rosario
Among the most decorated figures in league history, Dwayne De Rosario set the bar for Canadian MLS players through his output, longevity, and leadership. The Toronto native won four MLS Cups, earned two MLS Cup MVPs, and remains the only Canadian to win the Golden Boot. In 2011, he was named league MVP after scoring 16 goals across three clubs. His career spanned 14 seasons and five teams, during which he became known for clutch goals, dynamic playmaking, and his ability to elevate the level of those around him.
De Rosario finished with 104 goals and 77 assists in 343 MLS regular-season matches, placing him among the top scorers in league history at the time of his retirement. He was named to the MLS Best XI six times, made seven All-Star appearances, and earned back-to-back Goal of the Year awards in 2004 and 2005. His success extended beyond club play, earning four Canada Soccer Player of the Year awards. In 2020, MLS recognized his legacy by naming him one of the 25 greatest players in league history.
2. Pat Onstad
Pat Onstad built one of the most successful goalkeeping careers in league history, despite not joining MLS until age 35. He made an immediate impact with San Jose, winning the MLS Cup in his debut season, and added two more titles with Houston Dynamo in 2006 and 2007. His individual accolades include two Goalkeeper of the Year awards and a spot on the MLS Best XI in 2003 and 2005. In 2005, he led MLS in wins, shutouts, goals-against average and save percentage, establishing himself as one of the top keepers in the league.
Known for his consistency and his calmness under pressure, Onstad played until age 43 and remained a dependable starter throughout. He is one of the few goalkeepers to lift three MLS Cups, and few Canadian players in MLS have matched his combination of longevity and success. He was the only Canadian to win MLS Goalkeeper of the Year until Dayne St. Clair claimed the honour in 2025. As a three-time champion and key figure across multiple clubs, Onstad’s legacy remains one of the strongest among Canadian professionals in the league.
3. Alphonso Davies
Alphonso Davies first made his mark in Major League Soccer with the Vancouver Whitecaps, where he debuted at age 15 and quickly became one of the league’s most exciting young players. During the 2018 season, he produced 8 goals and 11 assists, earned an MLS All-Star selection, and set an MLS record for dribbles completed. His pace and confidence in one-on-one situations made him a constant threat and drew attention well beyond MLS.
Later that year, Vancouver completed a historic transfer, sending Davies to Bayern Munich for a fee exceeding $20 million. The move underscored the progress made within Canadian MLS academies. Although his time in MLS was brief, Davies left behind multiple age-based records and changed how Canadian prospects were viewed.
4. Will Johnson
Will Johnson built his career on reliability and leadership, playing a key role in clubs that regularly pushed for success. He won league titles with Real Salt Lake and Portland, captained the Timbers during their rise, and earned MLS Best XI honours in 2013. That recognition placed him among the most respected midfielders in the league and, at the time, became only the third Canadian named to the MLS Best XI. Johnson was a constant presence in high-pressure matches and brought the control teams needed to compete for trophies.
His influence showed in his minutes on the field and the trust he earned from coaches at both club and national levels. Johnson logged over 280 MLS appearances and won the Canadian Championship with Toronto FC. Among Canadian players in MLS, few matched his tactical discipline and influence in key matches. His 2016 goal for Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship final, scored just before suffering a broken leg, summed up the commitment that defined his long career.
5. Cyle Larin
Cyle Larin exploded into Major League Soccer as the first overall pick in the 2015 SuperDraft, immediately justifying the hype with a rookie campaign that set a league record with 17 goals, including two hat-tricks. At just 20, the Brampton-born striker claimed MLS Rookie of the Year, becoming the second consecutive Canadian-born player to win the award, after Tesho Akindele in 2014 and the youngest player in league history to score multiple hat-tricks.
Across three seasons with Orlando City SC, Larin totalled 43 regular-season goals, becoming the club’s top scorer before his transfer to Europe. His output remained steady each season, drawing interest from European sides and leading to a move abroad at the end of 2017. While he didn’t claim a trophy in MLS, his impact was undeniable. Larin’s rise helped raise expectations for Canadian players in MLS and inspired young Canadians to earn attacking roles at the professional level. His goal-scoring feats still stand as some of the most impressive by any Canadian in the league.
6. Jonathan Osorio
Jonathan Osorio has built one of the strongest legacies among Canadian MLS players, spending over a decade with Toronto FC as a homegrown talent. Since debuting in 2013, the Toronto native has surpassed 300 MLS appearances, more than any other player in TFC history. Osorio played a prominent role in the club’s most successful era, including the treble-winning 2017 season, where Toronto claimed the MLS Cup, Supporters’ Shield, and Canadian Championship. His composure and creativity in midfield helped drive Toronto’s rise to the top of North American soccer.
In 2018, he helped lead Toronto to the CONCACAF Champions League final, winning the Golden Boot and earning a spot in the tournament’s Best XI. That same year, he scored a personal-best 10 league goals and was named MVP of the Canadian Championship. With nearly 50 goals and over 40 assists, he ranks among the most productive Canadian players in MLS. Beyond the numbers, his consistency and leadership helped shape Toronto FC’s identity and established him as a role model for younger Canadian players in MLS.
7. Patrice Bernier
Patrice Bernier became the heartbeat of the Montreal Impact during their early MLS years, bringing leadership and experience after a successful career in Europe. The Brossard native returned home in 2012, captained the team, and quickly became a presence in midfield. He helped Montreal win Canadian Championships in 2013 and 2014 and was named an MLS All-Star in 2013. That same year, he was also voted team MVP, underlining his influence from the start.
In 2015, Bernier guided the Impact to a historic run to the CONCACAF Champions League final, the first for any Canadian MLS club. He made more than 150 league appearances and remained a key player into his late 30s. His professionalism and leadership left a lasting impression on young players in Quebec and across Canada. After scoring a farewell penalty in his final game in 2017, Bernier retired as a club legend. His 2022 induction into the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame confirmed his legacy as one of the most respected Canadian MLS players.
8. Julian de Guzman
Already a trailblazer as the first Canadian to play in Spain’s La Liga, Julian de Guzman made headlines in 2009 when he joined Toronto FC as the club’s first Designated Player and the first Canadian to hold that status league-wide. His arrival marked a turning point for both the club and Canadian representation in the league. Although Toronto struggled during his tenure there, de Guzman held the midfield together with his control and defensive work. He brought elite experience from Europe and immediately became a key figure at TFC.
De Guzman helped Toronto win three straight Canadian Championships from 2009 to 2011 and played a major role in the club’s run to the 2011-12 CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals. Though not known for scoring, his influence came through leadership and composure in deep midfield roles. With 77 MLS appearances and 89 international caps, including a spell as Canada’s all-time caps leader, he set a strong example for Canadian players in MLS. His inclusion in the Canada Soccer Hall of Fame Class of 2026 reflects his legacy both at the club level and on the international stage.
9. Jim Brennan
Jim Brennan became a foundational figure for Canadian players in MLS when he signed as the first player and captain of Toronto FC ahead of their 2007 debut. With Premier League experience at Norwich City, Brennan was one of the most accomplished Canadians to return home at the time. He played a crucial leadership role in shaping Toronto’s early identity, featuring as a left-sided fullback or winger. In the club’s inaugural season, Brennan featured in 27 league matches, scored TFC’s first goal by a Canadian, and quickly became a favourite with supporters.
Although the team’s early seasons were challenging, Brennan captained Toronto to its first trophy, the 2009 Canadian Championship, and became one of the first Canadian MLS All-Stars in 2008. His MLS playing career was brief but impactful, with 84 league appearances before retiring in 2010. After retiring, Brennan stayed involved in Canadian soccer through coaching and executive roles. His influence remains strong as one of the original Canadian leaders who helped establish MLS's domestic presence.
10. Tesho Akindele
Tesho Akindele followed an unusual path to Major League Soccer, rising from a Division II college to win the 2014 MLS Rookie of the Year with FC Dallas. Born in Calgary and raised in Colorado, he made an immediate impact with seven goals and three assists in his debut season. He became the first FC Dallas player to win that award and one of the few Canadian-born players ever to earn the honour. A flexible forward, Akindele remained a steady contributor in Dallas for several seasons.
His best team success came in 2016 when he helped Dallas secure both the Supporters’ Shield and the U.S. Open Cup, playing 31 matches and adding six goals. He later moved to Orlando City, leading the club in scoring with 10 goals in 2019. Over eight seasons, he recorded more than 40 goals and 15 assists, making more than 200 MLS appearances. Among Canadian players in MLS, Akindele stands out for his longevity and silverware, firmly placing him in this ranking.
11. Russell Teibert
Russell Teibert spent his entire MLS career with the Vancouver Whitecaps, from their inaugural season in 2011 until his retirement in 2023. A native of Niagara Falls, Ontario, he joined the club as a teenager and eventually became its longest-serving player.
A hardworking midfielder known for his defensive discipline and leadership, Teibert reached 300 appearances across all competitions in 2023, with over 250 in MLS play. His value was seen in more than just the stat sheet, as he led midfields through multiple managerial eras and helped shape the club’s identity on and off the pitch.
Teibert played a key role in Vancouver’s Canadian Championship titles in 2015, 2022, and 2023, and scored his first two MLS goals against the LA Galaxy in 2013. He captained the side, mentored younger teammates, and earned the trust of several coaching staffs for his consistency. His presence as a Canadian player on a Canadian team also allowed roster flexibility, adding further value. Among Canadian players MLS has featured, Teibert stands out for his longevity at Vancouver and his steady presence through years of change.
12. Teal Bunbury
Teal Bunbury may represent the United States internationally, but as a Canadian-born forward with over 400 appearances, he ranks among the most accomplished Canadian-born players in MLS history. Drafted fourth overall by Sporting Kansas City in 2010, Bunbury quickly became a regular and was part of Sporting KC’s MLS Cup-winning squad in 2013. After joining the New England Revolution in 2014, he added 45 goals across eight seasons, became a top playoff scorer, and played an important role in their 2021 Supporters’ Shield win.
Bunbury has reached the 75-goal mark in MLS regular-season play and remains one of the league’s most experienced forwards. He’s earned recognition off the field as well, being named New England Revolution Humanitarian of the Year in back-to-back seasons (2020 and 2021). Despite his U.S. national team choice, Bunbury’s Canadian roots and MLS longevity secure his place among the top Canadian figures in league history.