Zlatan Ibrahimovic has taken MLS by storm since arriving in the spring, and while he hasn’t quite topped the scoring chart, he did top another chart in his first season in the league.
The LA Galaxy striker has been ranked first in MLS in jersey sales, finishing ahead of Los Angeles FC star Carlos Vela and MLS scoring leader Josef Martinez.
Atlanta United leads the way with five players in the Top 25, including Miguel Almiron, who is fifth.
Wayne Rooney checks in at number four, an impressive number considering he didn’t arrive until midseason.
Clint Dempsey, who retired earlier this season, is the highest-ranked American, clocking in at number nine. Darlington Nagbe is the highest-ranked active American player, and settled in at number 15.
Here is a look at the Top 25 highest-selling jerseys in MLS in 2018:
| 1 | Zlatan Ibrahimovic | LA Galaxy |
| 2 | Carlos Vela | LAFC |
| 3 | Josef Martinez | Atlanta United |
| 4 | Wayne Rooney | D.C. United |
| 5 | Miguel Almiron | Atlanta United |
| 6 | Bastian Schweinsteiger | Chicago Fire |
| 7 | David Villa | NYCFC |
| 8 | Sebastian Giovinco | Toronto FC |
| 9 | Clint Dempsey | Seattle Sounders |
| 10 | Ezequiel Barco | Atlanta United |
| 11 | Diego Valeri | Portland Timbers |
| 12 | Diego Rossi | LAFC |
| 13 | Bradley Wright-Phillips | New York Red Bulls |
| 14 | Giovani dos Santos | LA Galaxy |
| 15 | Darlington Nagbe | Atlanta United |
| 16 | Jozy Altidore | Toronto FC |
| 17 | Alphonso Davies | Vancouver Whitecaps |
| 18 | Hector Villalba | Atlanta United |
| 19 | Dom Dwyer | Orlando City |
| 20 | Luciano Acosta | D.C. United |
| 21 | Graham Zusi | Sporting KC |
| 22 | Cristian Roldan | Seattle Sounders |
| 23 | Darwin Quintero Jr. | Minnesota United |
| 24 | Paul Arriola | D.C. United |
| 25 | Diego Chara | Portland Timbers |
Note that the first American on that list doesnt show up until #9 and he’s retired. After that its Nagbe??? This is a sad state of affairs.
You can yell doom and gloom, but there are quit a few on the top 25 list. And if you are basing it on talent, realize that none of the for sure Nat team starters are in the 25.
Adams, Acosta, Stephen.
I think it is more of a function that the league is bringing in DPs at the positions that sell jerseys. And part of that is they want their DPs to sell jerseys…Beckham style.