Ranking MLS' World Cup winners: The dazzling, decent, and dire
Long maligned for being a final rest stop for football's aging stars, MLS sides have distanced themselves from that characterization this year with an offseason littered with the acquisition of emerging young stars.
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Elder statesmen the likes of Mista and Rafa Marquez who once arrived in North America's top flight only to disappoint have been phased out for younger Designated Players like Sporting Kansas City speedster Gerso Fernandes and inspired Atlanta pairing Miguel Almiron and Josef Martinez.
Then late Monday, Bastian Schweinsteiger confirmed plans to join twice-defending bottom-dweller Chicago Fire, and the dulcet tones of collective groans swept across MLS.
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Despite being just 32 and likely fresh as a daisy after an extended spell in Jose Mourinho's doghouse at Manchester United, Schweinsteiger's move to this season's MLS All-Star game host elicited memories of Frank Lampard's spotty stay at NYCFC and Steven Gerrard laborious stretch with the LA Galaxy.
In hopes that Schweinsteiger can revisit the form that saw him star with both Bayern Munich and during Germany's 2014 World Cup run, here's a look at 10 other winners of football's top prize who have plied their trade in the MLS:
The dazzling
Thierry Henry (France/New York Red Bulls)
The crown jewel of former stars to cap off celebrated career in MLS, 1998 World Cup winner Henry bagged 51 goals in 122 league outings for the New York Red Bulls while leading the club to a maiden trophy with the 2013 Supporters' Shield.
Arsenal's all-time leading scorer was also responsible for this Olimpico.
David Villa (Spain/New York City FC)
Spain's all-time goal-getter, El Guaje, arrived at New York City FC among a treble of Europe's best alongside Andrea Pirlo and Lampard, and all three have experienced varying degrees of success with Villa coming out on top.
The reigning MVP boasts 43 goals in 64 appearances, and this season, as part of an attacking three with Rodney Wallace and Jack Harrison, has Patrick Vieira's lot among those challenging for Eastern Conference honours.
Kaka (Brazil/Orlando City SC)
Burdened by the pressures of being Orlando City SC's first-ever signing, 2002 World Cup winner Kaka has made a good account of himself in MLS, pairing 18 goals - included the club's first - with 17 assists. The sneaky mobility that saw him win the Ballon d'Or is long gone, but the Brazilian's penchant for flipping a match on its head remains.
For being the face of a franchise and a playmaking catalyst for rising star Cyle Larin, Kaka narrowly makes this ranking's top tier.
The decent
Youri Djorkaeff (France/New York Red Bulls)
As velvety as a satin bathrobe on a winter's night, Djorkaeff played one season with the Red Bulls in 2005, scoring a dozen times in 45 appearances whilst displaying hints of the sublime skill that saw him star for France's World Cup side in 1998.
Alessandro Nesta (Italy/Montreal Impact)
Italy's 2006 World Cup winner Nesta enlisted with the Montreal Impact midway through the 2012 to join up with fellow Italians Matteo Ferrari, Marco Di Vaio, and Bernardo Coraddi, making 31 appearances before announcing his retirement in 2013. Naturally, he then signed with India Super League side Chennaiyin FC.
Andrea Pirlo (Italy/New York City FC)
In the image of Henry, Pirlo has made a habit of being influential in MLS without having to do much running, and who could blame him? Il Maestro has 16 assists in 48 appearances for NYCFC, and is certain to get a boost in the middle of the park this season with the additions of Maxi Moralez and Alexander Ring.
The dire
Lothar Matthaus (West Germany/MetroStars)
Easily one of the biggest flops in MLS history, Matthaus swapped Bavarian behemoth Bayern Munich for MetroStars, making 16 appearances sans goals before calling it a career.
Denilson (Brazil/FC Dallas)
Five years removed from playing a bit part with Brazil's 2002 World Cup triumph, playmaker Denilson joined FC Dallas where he managed to score a lone goal in eight matches. We hardly knew ya.
Kleberson (Brazil/Philadelphia Union)
Like Denilson, Kleberson was a crafty passer that once lifted a World Cup for Brazil, and like his countryman, the well-traveled midfielder's MLS spell was a fleeting one, making just 11 appearances on loan with Philadelphia before dropping a rung to the NASL.
Canarinho Branco (Brazil/MetroStars)
Before Denilson and Kleberson made short-term MLS switches marred by mediocrity, tough-tackling Branco wrote the training manual, joining MetroStars in 1997. One goal, a pair of helpers, and three red cards in 11 run-outs occupies a sparse North American CV for the left-back.
(Photos Courtesy: Action Images)