GOAL surveyed players across MLS for the 2025 season on a number of topics, with some surprising responses
Major League Soccer's 30th season kicked off last weekend and it's already shaping up to its historic promise. San Diego FC entered the league and opened their expansion season by stunning the defending MLS Champions LA Galaxy.
There's been an unprecedented offseason of spending, with the league's transfer record broken twice. There's a new Cash for Player rule that's been significant in keeping stars within the league. And oh yeah, Inter Miami's Lionel Messi has kicked off the season with a masterclass performance and some rare controversy from the Eight-time Ballon D'Or winner.
As exciting as its been for MLS's fans, what do the players make of all of this? GOAL reached out to players from all 29 teams – excluding expansion San Diego – ahead of the 2025 season and asked them a number of questions, from naming the best and most overrated players to favorite MLS cities to coaches for which they would like to play. Players were granted anonymity so that they could answer freely.
And while some of the results from GOAL's MLS Player Survey were expected, others offered surprises.
Get the MLS Season Pass today!Stream games nowGettyWHO IS THE TOP PLAYER IN MLS?
No surprise here, as Lionel Messi takes this by a significant margin. The 37-year-old received 88 percent of the vote from players polled, but – perhaps a bit shockingly – it wasn't unanimous.
The other 12 percent came from the LA Galaxy's Riqui Puig and San Jose's Cristian Espinoza.
The Vote Breakdown:
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami, 88 percent
Riqui Puig, LA Galaxy, 8 percent
Cristian Espinoza, San Jose Earthquakes, 4 percent
AdvertisementGetty Images SportWHO IS THE MOST OVERRATED PLAYER IN MLS?
This one generated a wide variety of answers from players, but there was a top choice: Toronto FC's Lorenzo Insigne.
The former Italy international was the second highest-paid player in MLS after Mess last year, but he hasn't delivered on massive expectations as injuries and inconsistent performances have impacted him. Toronto FC recently left the player off travel plans and have been open in saying he's not in their plan this season.
The Vote Breakdown:
Lorenzo Insigne, Toronto FC, 35 percent
Kellyn Acosta, Chicago Fire, 20 percent
Stefan Frei, Seattle Sounders, 10 percent
Mikael Uhre, Philadelphia Union, 8.75 percent
Roman Burki, St. Louis CITY SC, 8.75 percent
Anders Dreyer, San Diego FC, 5 percent
Some players declined to answer this question, with one writing, "Respect your friends and players."
AFPFAVORITE MLS CITY IN WHICH TO PLAY?
Los Angeles was the leader when it came to cities in which MLS players prefer to play in, but there was some competition from up north.
The Vote Breakdown:
Los Angeles, 40 percent
Montreal, 30 percent
Nashville, 20 percent
San Jose, 10 percent
AFPWHICH MLS CLUB HAS THE BEST OPPOSING FANS?
MLS fanbases have become famous across many cities' sporting landscapes. Again, Los Angeles – specifically LAFC – took the lead among players in terms of having the best opposing fans.
The Vote Breakdown:
Los Angeles FC, 50 percent
Atlanta United FC, 20 percent
Portland Timbers, 20 percent
Austin FC, 10 percent
