The top 10 players available in 2022 MLS free agency
By Chris Smith
MLS free agency opened for business on Wednesday, giving qualifying players the chance to bounce back into the league with a new club.
Per league rules, a player must be 24 years old and have at least five seasons in MLS. This means not every out-of-contract player qualifies.
However, there is still plenty of talent available and there's no doubt clubs will be lining up to bolster their rosters at a discounted rate
Here, we rank the top 10 MLS free agents this winter.
Who are the best MLS free agents in 2022?
10. Pedro Santos
Pedro Santos really has been the man for all occasions since joining the Columbus Crew from Braga in 2017.
The former Portugal youth international started out as a creative wide player who could also operate through the middle. More recently, he's transitioned into a very effective full-back, offering far more defensively than many may have expected.
At 34, he's not getting any younger, but Santos is extremely experienced, helped the Crew win MLS Cup in 2020, and could still offer good depth at the very least to a number of MLS teams.
9. Ronald Matarrita
Ronald Matarrita was on a big deal with FC Cincinnati, who clearly felt they could find similar quality on a lower wage elsewhere.
That said, the Costa Rica international, who is headed to the World Cup, is a very effective attacking full-back who shone for NYCFC before joining Cincinnati.
Injuries hindered him somewhat at TQL Stadium, but Matarrita would still be a great pick-up for many teams.
8. Gyasi Zardes
Gyasi Zardes felt exactly like the striker the Colorado Rapids had been craving for so long. The move is yet to fully work out, with just nine goals scored in 26 appearances across all competitions. Should the Rapids wish to sign him to a new deal, they'll have to cough up some more General Allocation Money (GAM) to the Columbus Crew.
Still, that's not an awful rate. And it doesn't change the fact that Zardes is still a two-time MLS Cup champion, scorer of almost 100 regular-season goals, and a 68-time United States international.
At 31 years old, Zardes still has plenty of time to shine and will be highly coveted this winter.
7. Jhegson Mendez
Jhegson Mendez was nowhere near a key player in LAFC's run to MLS Cup glory following his mid-season move from Orlando City. Still, he made plenty of contributions.
What's more, Mendez is still only 25 years old, is of enough quality to be called into Ecuador's World Cup squad, and is nearing 100 regular-season appearances.
He would improve a significant number of MLS midfields.
6. Aaron Long
Pre-ACL injury, Aaron Long was among the best center-backs in MLS. Since his return, he's unsurprisingly lost some pace. And yet, he is still a very solid option at worst.
Whether or not he deserves his call-up for the USMNT's World Cup roster is a debate in itself, but there's no questioning Long would walk into a number of MLS starting XIs - including the LA Galaxy who, at the time of writing, appear to be leading the chase for his signature.
5. Ryan Hollingshead
Ryan Hollingshead isn't your typical full-back, standing at almost 6ft 2". Indeed, his best qualities are defensive ones. However, he still pops up with important moments at the other end and is extremely versatile.
The former FC Dallas man was extremely important to LAFC's MLS Cup run, which is why the Black and Gold are working to keep him at Banc of California Stadium.
Should they fail, Hollingshead will have no shortage of offers.
4. Derrick Etienne Jr
Derrick Etienne Jr is coming off a career-best season of nine goals and six assists with the Columbus Crew and at 26 years old, is only just entering his prime.
Etienne can play right across the front line - which is valuable enough in itself in MLS - has pace to burn, and proven end product.
There aren't many MLS teams he doesn't instantly improve.
3. Jonathan Osorio
As it stands, Jonathan Osorio is publicly desperate to realize his European dreams. 90min understands that as recently as last year, there was Europa League-level interest, while there appears to be quite a few English Championship clubs taking a look.
If, for some reason, it doesn't come off for Osorio, he'll have no shortage of offers in MLS.
The 30-year-old has been one of Toronto FC's best players over the last decade and will play a key role for Canada at the upcoming World Cup.
2. Sean Johnson
Sean Johnson has been among the best goalkeepers in MLS for some time now and was so important to NYCFC winning MLS Cup in 2021 and making the Eastern Conference Final this time around.
So good has Johnson's form been that he's even earned a spot on the USMNT's World Cup roster.
It looks like NYCFC are going to do everything they can to keep Johnson but if they fail, just watch the clubs flock his way.
1. Alexander Callens
There really isn't much NYCFC have achieved that Alexander Callens hasn't been at the heart of.
The Peru international scored against Atlanta United in last year's run to MLS Cup, and in the 2-0 Campeones Cup win over Atlas recently. In fact, he has 15 goals for NYCFC across all competitions, which is not bad at all for a center-back.
Yes, we forgot to mention that Callens is a center-back. One of the best in MLS, in fact, who is also capable of doing a very sturdy job at left-back.
Again, NYCFC will try to keep Callens, but there will be plenty who hope they can't.
Honorable mentions: Franco Escobar, Ola Kamara, Eric Remedi, Matt Hedges, Bill Hamid, Brad Smith, Cory Burke, Darwin Quintero.
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