Major League Soccer and Mexican players have been synonymous with each other since the beginning of time and 2023 is not the exception.
Throughout history, multiple renowned Mexican players have graced the fields of Major League Soccer. Arriving as homeland legends, as former European stars with much left in the tank or whatever the case may be, players from México have always managed to deliver in the United States.
Jorge Campos, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Rafael Márquez, Javier Hernández, Pável Pardo, Carlos Vela and even Hugo Sánchez when he played for the extinct San Diego Soccer in the NASL. MLS and the U.S. is another home to Mexican-born stars.
It’s a league that has sat well with the green, white and red flag.
In 2023, Mexicans still remain as some of the main protagonists and best players across MLS — with most playing a vital role for their teams and becoming recurring players in the MLS All-Star rosters year in and year out.
Now, in tribute to the former Aztec stars that once made their mark in Major League soccer, we give you the best Mexican players in the 2023 MLS season — ranked.
Top 4 best Mexican players in MLS 2023 season
4. Javier “Chicharito” Hernández - LA Galaxy
The Little Pea.
Chicharito arrived to play for the LA Galaxy in 2020 after a remarkable career in Europe and with the Mexican national team, turning his transfer to the Galaxy into one of great expectations.
Playing with perhaps one of the worst Galaxy sides in recent times, Hernández has managed to score 39 goals and provide seven assists in 83 appearances.
The Mexican striker is currently in recovery from an ACL injury earlier this season, with the 35-year-old expected to come back in the start of the next campaign.
View this post on Instagram
3. Alan Pulido - Sporting Kansas City
Puligol has made a comeback in KC.
After a serious injury that kept him out of play for almost a year, Alan Pulido is back scoring goals in MLS.
Pulido has scored 14 goals and provided seven assists in his return season, catching the eyes of Mexican clubs Cruz Azul and Chivas in the past summer window.
However, his amazing start with Kansas City and love for the club, as stated by the striker himself, will keep him with the club until 2026 after signing a contract extension.
He's here to stay.
Sporting Kansas City re-signs forward Alan Pulido to a new Designated Player contract. Details https://t.co/4N05AG5kkb#SportingKC | @Shift4 pic.twitter.com/UwXZBPIgJf— Sporting Kansas City (@SportingKC) September 14, 2023
2. Héctor Herrera - Houston Dynamo
The Mexican legend came to conquer the MLS with Houston.
After a remarkable career in Europe playing for and captaining FC Porto in the Primera Liga for five years and subsequently playing for Atlético Madrid — winning their first LaLiga title in seven years — “HH” is doing what he does best in Major League Soccer.
The 33-year-old midfielder is having a great season in Texas, heading into the MLS playoffs as one of best teams in the Western Conference and the U.S. Open Cup champion against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
He has recorded four goals and a whopping 11 assists in 29 MLS games this season.
Hector Herrera is just the second player in @HoustonDynamo history to record at least 15 assists in a single season pic.twitter.com/yx0eGVqFfi
— PFF FC (@PFF_FC) October 9, 2023
1. Carlos Vela - Los Angeles FC
The King. Cracklitos Vela. El Bombardero.
Carlos Vela arrived to MLS from Real Sociedad in 2018 to join newly-founded team LAFC, and has not stopped scoring, assisting and winning since.
In 182 appearances for LAFC, the Mexican attacker has scored 93 goals and provided 52 assists — winning an MLS player of the season award, two Supporter Shields and one MLS Cup in 2022 (the first in club history).
The 34-year-old captain is still having fantastic performances, scoring nine goals and having seven assists in 33 appearances in the 2023 MLS Season, looking to defend their MLS Cup in the upcoming playoffs.
Absolutely filthy, @11carlosV. #LAFCvSJ // Heineken #RivalryWeek pic.twitter.com/F8M10bk091
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) August 22, 2019
