From the sun-soaked stadiums of California to the humid nights in Montréal, goals in Major League Soccer have shaped legends. Whether you’re here to settle a bar bet or feed your obsession with stats and stories, AnnuGoal will guide you through the elite names — the top goal scorers in MLS history — a pantheon of finishers who left their mark in U.S. and Canadian football.
Below, we explore how these stars accumulated their tallies, highlight their rivalry, and peek at how active talents are chasing the summit.
The All-Time Greats: Who Tops the List
Let’s start with the big names., these are the top scorers in MLS history:
| Rank | Player | Goals | MLS Years | Notes |
| 1 | Chris Wondolowski | 171 | 2005–2021 | MLS’s all-time record holder |
| 2 | Kei Kamara | 146 | 2006–2024 (active) | Still adding goals — signed by FC Cincinnati recently |
| 3 | Landon Donovan | 145 | 2001–2016 | U.S. soccer icon and longtime LA Galaxy star.wikipedia.org]) |
| 4 | Jeff Cunningham | 134 | 1998–2011 | A consistent finisher for many clubs |
| 5 | Jaime Moreno | 133 | 1996–2010 | One of MLS’s earliest stars en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Soccer_records_and_statistics?utm_source=chatgpt.com)) |
| 6 | — | 117 | 2013–2021 | That entry refers to Bradley Wright-Phillips |
| 7 | Ante Razov | 114 | 1996–2009 | Electric striker in MLS’s early years |
| 8 | Jason Kreis | 108 | 1996–2007 | The first MLS player to reach 100 goals |
| 9 | Josef Martínez | 105 | 2017–present | Among the most efficient scorers in modern MLS |
| 10 | Dwayne De Rosario | 104 | 2001–2014 | Always dangerous in the attack |
These ten are commonly referenced as the pillars of MLS scoring lore. Many sources note that the cutoff for the “100+ goals club” has been crossed by fewer than 15 players in MLS history.
What Makes Them Special?
- Longevity & consistency: Chris Wondolowski’s 171 goals came across more than 400 MLS appearances.
- Efficiency & peak seasons: Josef Martínez amassed 105 in far fewer games than many predecessors.
- Trailblazers: Jaime Moreno and Jason Kreis were among the first to define what it meant to thrive in MLS.
- International talent: Many of these scorers came from abroad (Kamara, Cunningham, Razov, Wright-Phillips) or had substantial international profiles.
The Battle for Second Place: Kamara vs Donovan
Though Wondolowski stands comfortably atop the hill, the fight for second is intriguing.
- Kei Kamara, still active, has 146 goals. His move to FC Cincinnati at age 40 signals he’s not done yet.
- Landon Donovan wound his career with 145 goals, cementing his legacy as one of MLS’s most celebrated players.
Given Kamara’s continued play, it’s plausible he could overtake Wondolowski — though it’s a steep mountain to climb.
Modern Threats: Are Any Active Players Closing In?
Beyond Kamara, a few modern stars are making noise:
- Josef Martínez: With 105 goals, Martínez still has room to climb if he maintains form.
- Lionel Messi: While Messi is dominating the 2024–25 MLS season, his career in MLS is relatively short, so he’s currently far from threatening the all-time charts.
- Others: Emerging stars may break into the 100-goal club over time, especially those who combine consistency, fitness, and time in the league.
Records & Milestones Worth Knowing
- Most goals in a single season: Carlos Vela holds the record with 34 goals in 2019. ikipedia])
- Most goals by a foreign-born player: Kei Kamara is often cited among the leaders.
- Most free-kick goals: The free-kick scoring leaderboard is separate — Wondolowski, Beckham, and others appear in that niche list.
These scoring feats enrich the story behind the raw numbers — showing who could do more than just tap the ball into the net.
Patterns, Eras, and Evolution of Scoring
Scoring in MLS has evolved:
- In the early years, the league leaned heavily on imports like Razov or Moreno to carry scoring loads.
- Through the mid-2000s to 2010s, homegrown players (like Donovan or Wondolowski) found consistency and longevity.
- In recent seasons, high efficiency — fewer matches, more goals per match — is more prized (e.g. Martínez).
- Rule changes, roster construction (Designated Players), and international recruitment also shifted the goal-scoring landscape.
These shifts mean that comparing eras is a delicate balancing act — but the top goal scorers in MLS history list helps us measure greatness across generations.
#1: Who Is The Greatest MLS Goal Scorer?
If greatness is judged solely by total goals, Chris Wondolowski is the undisputed king with 171 goals. His career model — consistent, durable, prolific — elevated him above legends. That said, for many fans Landon Donovan is a spiritual icon of MLS, and others argue Kamara’s upward trajectory gives him a shot at history.
Regardless of who you favor, all these names share a common trait: they scored when it mattered.
Final Thoughts
The top goal scorers in MLS history are more than names on a board — they are legacy makers, trendsetters, and symbols of the league’s ascent. Wondolowski’s all-time record is secure for now, but challengers like Kamara and Martínez keep the story alive.
AnnuGoal invites you to follow this race: bookmark this article, check back as seasons pass, and watch how new stars carve their path into that elite “100-goal club.” Want deep dives on a particular player, season-by-season breakdowns, or comparisons with other leagues? Just ask.
