With another momentous offseason full of big-name arrivals behind us, it's safe to say the talent level in Major League Soccer has never been higher.
As Week 1 action kicks off this Saturday, MLSsoccer.com has taken stock of the league's abundant individual quality by ranking its Top 50 Players of 2020.
MLSsoccer.com's team of editors, writers and columnists each took a turn at listing their top 50 MLS players, and the cumulative results generated a final ranking that included two Sporting Kansas City attackers.
Coming in at No. 49 is Scottish winger Johnny Russell, who in his first two years at Sporting has become the club's second player to record nine goals an nine assists in consecutive regular seasons.
"It's no wonder he's a fan favorite," MLS writes. "When Russell gets the ball out wide and squares up to go 1v1, entertainment typically ensues. And when he's not beating defenders on the dribble, he's lining up for a rip at goal (he scored nine times in 2019). When the Scotsman is on his game, Sporting are tough to contain."
Further up the list, newly acquired Mexican striker Alan Pulido is at No. 21. The 28-year-old won the Liga MX scoring title last season, bagging 12 goals for Chivas de Guadalajara, before Sporting splashed a club-record transfer fee to land his services in December.
To view MLSsoccer.com's Top 50 Players of 2020, click here.
Russell, Pulido and Sporting will begin their 2020 campaign Saturday with a showdown against Vancouver Whitecaps FC at BC Place. The Western Conference clash will mark the first time ever that Sporting has kicked off an MLS season in the month of February, giving eager fans an early dose of MLS action as Week 1 commences across the United States and Canada.
Supporters can catch the 9:30 p.m. CT encounter on FOX Sports Kansas City, FOX Sports Midwest Plus and FOX Sports GO, including 30 minutes of pre-match and post-match coverage with Nate Bukaty, Jacob Peterson and touchline reporter Carter Augustine on the call. Fans can also listen locally on Sports Radio 810 WHB (English) and La Grande 1340 AM (Spanish).
