Who are the hottest players in MLS?

With the MLS season reaching its midway point, it is tough to argue against New England and D.C. being the best teams in the league right now, and part of the reason for that is the recent form of two MLS All-Stars who have stepped their game up considerably. SBI correspondent Carl Setterlund takes a look at the hottest players in MLS.

Unfortunately for all the female SBI readers, this post isn’t to discuss David Beckham’s new Emporio Armani campaign (forgive me if I don't link to the pictures), although Becks’ name could well come up in this conversation anyways. I’ve scoured the league trying to find out which two guys are really in-form right now and come up with two players that are absolutely on fire: DC United forward Luciano Emilio and New England midfielder Steve Ralston. Emilio has been even hotter than Landon Donovan in his current stretch, while Ralston has flown under the radar but made a big impact for the best team in MLS record-wise.

Here is a closer look at the two hottest players in MLS:

Luciano Emilio

After becoming the first 20-goal scorer since 2004 (Carlos Ruiz) and winning the MLS MVP award in his debut season, Emilio had a slow start to his 2008 campaign. Who knows whether it was DC United getting on a roll that helped Emilio or vice versa, but the Brazilian-born DP is on perhaps his hottest run in his MLS career. With attacking options galore, it's been Emilio that has separated himself from the rest of the pack in DC United's current six match unbeaten streak (5-0-1). Take a look at what Emilio has done during that stretch:

• 5/24 - 3-2 W vs. Toronto - 1 goal
• 5/29 – 2-2 T @ New England - 1 goal
• 6/7 –  2-1 W @ Chicago - 1 goal
• 6/14 – 4-1 W vs. New York - 3 goals
• 6/22 – 3-1 W vs. San Jose - 1 goal
• 6/29 – 4-1 W vs. Los Angeles - 2 goals, 1 assist

You read that correct, that's nine goals and an assist in just six games. That leaves Emilio with sitting in second place in the race for the MLS Golden Boot behind Donovan, with 10 goals at the half-way point. However, if he keeps up his current pace for a little longer, Emilio should find himself alone at the top of the goal-scoring table, and he just might be able to eclipse his 2007 goal tally in the process.

Steve Ralston

Sometimes things get better with age. Usually soccer players aren’t included in this mantra. There’s aging gracefully, and then there’s what 13-year veteran Steve Ralston has been doing. Already the MLS all-time assist leader and the holder of all the iron-man records, Ralston has been putting on a clinic like he’s 24-years-old, not 34.

Although he’s always been primarily a right midfielder, ever since the departure of Clint Dempsey, Ralston has been slowly but effectively turned into an attacking mid. The transformation appears complete. While Ralston’s 6 goals and 4 assists are by no means gaudy numbers, take a look at what Ralston has done in the last six matches:

• 6/6 – 2-1 W vs. Dallas – 1 goal
• 6/12 – 2-0 W @ Houston – 1 goal
• 6/18 – 1-1 T vs. New York – 1 goal
• 6/21 – 1-2 L @ Salt Lake – no goals or assists
• 6/28 – 2-1 W vs. Toronto – 2 goals
• 7/4 – 2-1 W @ Los Angeles – 1 assist

Out of those goals, all five either tied the game or served as the game-winner, and the assist was on the winning goal as well. Just as important, Ralston’s contributions have come during a stretch when Taylor Twellman has played just 41 minutes and other contributors like Shalrie Joseph (Grenada), Kenny Mansally (The Gambia) and Khano Smith (Bermuda) were away on national team duty. The New England captain has led the squad to a 4-1-1 record during that stretch.

There's my argument for the hottest players in the league right now. Think I might have overlooked someone in giving the attention to attacking players? Let me know who you guys think are the most in-form players right now. Share your thoughts below.

Comments

[Scott A]

Can't argue with the selection, they're both on fire.

[AC]

I'm glad to see Ralston has still got it. With the continuing theme of selecting veterans for the national team, why not put Ralston back in the mix with Eddie Lewis and Mastroeni? If anything, he'd be another good source of depth and veteran experience.

[Joe]

Chad Barrett

[ELAC]

Sacha Klestjan? Oh yeah he plays on the west coast. Nevermine. I though you meant all of the MLS.

My bad.

[Anne]

Chad Barret? Really? Are you sober right now?

[John Giles]

Without Schelotto The Crew would be repeating their recent past.

[Andrew]

It's a complete shame that Javier Morales isn't getting consideration for the All Star Team.

[Nic D "The Texas 2 Stepper"]

Dude!

That title is so "gay"!

[Freddy]

I completely agree with AC. He should be in the National Team pool. Forget his age. He should be the Nat's starting right midfielder.

[brett]

Andrew- lets be honest, the media and league will vote in the big names to draw as much attention as possible to this game... that means we'll see the likes of Beckham, Blanco, Emilio and Landycakes... thats assuming the players dont pull a Landycakes and get "injured" O.o

[King]

Good stuff, although, I would have to mention that in addition to Clint leaving, Steve Ralston's role has changed in part due to his age and incidentally, his somewhat loss of pace. With the younger, quicker players like Khano Smith, Wells Thompson, Kenny Mansally, and Sainey Niassi, it's hard to maintain your place out wide as pace is a major factor. Because you don't want to leave out your most experienced player, he moves to the middle, often playing in behind the striker(s).

[jrd]

Wilman Conde turns me on.... hes so hot.... not like Ives

[nico]

OK, agreed. But it would be nice to have a similar post regarding non-goal scorers...ie defenders, d-mids.

[anonymous]

have to consider emmanuel ekpo also..the nigerian olympian has been on a tear now that he is finally settled in and getting some PT

[martha in miami]

Dang, how did you know what I was thinking?! Most *on fire player* would be the highest in goals and assists combined, in mls yr. to date total...will double check my math now! p.s. Italia 2006 National Team, WC Champs btw, in Dolce and Gabana skivies, beats Becks hands down any day, lol.

[Aljarov]

I think Buddle should be in the conversation...as much as I think he's ass, he is certainly on form.

[Sarah]

"Unfortunately for all the female SBI readers, this post isn’t to discuss David Beckham’s new Emporio Armani campaign (forgive me if I don't link to the pictures)"

Oh, right, that's the only reason we ladies like football. Thanks for pointing that out, I'd totally forgotten!

[steve]

zzzzzzzzzz

[Dylan]

Javier Morales

and

Ralston

[Betinho]

I'm actually one of the few that likes to have some veterans mixed in with the youth movement of the USMNT. I've been thinking that it would be nice to see Ralston called in for some WQC matches. I'm happy he's getting the recognition here.

And speaking of aging players having great years....is that Jesse Marsh over there on the west coast scoring goals left and right? What's gotten into him?

[MiamiAl]

Emilio!!!! He will be MVP again!

[brett]

Sarah- sheeesh, Ives only said that this thread isnt about beckham's new campaign... he never mentioned anything about that being the only reason ladies follow the sport.... a bit defensive tho... perhaps that is the only reason you follow the sport, yes??

[Matt Johnston]

Looking at defensive players who are playing in top form, I have to send out Gonzalo Martinez (DC United), who started the season a little slow (like the rest of DC United) but has come on lately, proving that he can not only defend well, but it is proving to be a great spark going forward. He has played on the outside back position, gotten forward even from central defense and (since we are talking offense) has a GOTW credit as well.

[brett]

matt johnston- if we are talking about defensive players on form, i would say Segares would top the bunch... guy has been solid all year... and as he showed on saturday, he's capable of moving up...

[Nic D "The Texas 2 Stepper"]

And speaking of aging players ....is that Jesse Marsh . . . What's gotten into him?

Do we need to call up Mr. Victor Conte?

[DemonJuice]

Gambia must use the same marketing firm as Ohio State.