What qualities do you need to have to be successful in football? Height, after all, seems to be important Cristiano Ronaldo it’s a giant, isn’t it? Oh, maybe not, why not Lionel Messi? He is shorter and probably better than Ronaldo. There is no hard and fast rule to say that you have to be tall to be good at football but positions like goalkeepers and defenders definitely benefit from having a bigger body and presence. Here’s our countdown to find the tallest MLS player in 2023…
The tallest player in MLS 2023
10) Omar Gonzalez, 195 cm, New England Revolution
Kicking off our list of the longest-running players in MLS is a veteran of the game. Omar Gonzalez stands at 6’5”.
The current defender of the New England Revolution may not play many games under Bruce Arena’s system but he is undoubtedly a pillar of inspiration as a USMNT legend. Yes, being a Texan he fits perfectly with the saying ‘everything is big in Texas’.
9) Jack Elliott, 196 cm, Philadelphia Union
The Englishman stands tall at 6’6” inside the Philadelphia Union’s back line. Perhaps Jack Elliott’s growth is due to his American upbringing during his playing years, when he left Fulham Academy to join the college football program at the University of West Virginia.
Now 27, he is one of the longest players in the league and a key player for the Union.
8) Shanyder Borgelin, 196 cm, Inter Miami CF
When you put together a list of the tallest MLS player in 2023, you’d expect it to be made up of goaltenders and central defenders, mostly.
Well, Shanyder Boreglin buys this. The 21-year-old is on the verge of breaking into Inter Miami CF’s first team after playing several MLS games and scoring a goal. A player who is too tall may be placed on the floor while joining Lionel Messi they enter the competition.
7) Jackson Ragen, 198 cm, Seattle Sounders
There is a huge presence at Lumen Field in the defense of the Seattle Sounders. Jackson Ragen now he’s revered as a Seattle native playing for one of America’s best hometown clubs.
Everything could have been very different, however, as he was drafted by the Chicago Fire but chose to play more college football and eventually returned to the Sounders.
6) Javier Otero, 198 cm, Orlando City SC
Orlando City SC has one of MLS’ longest-serving players in 2023. Pitcher Javier Otero may only be 20 years old but he still stands at 6’6”.
The young Venezuelan has been seen on the bench a few times in 2023 but is mostly playing in MLS Next Pro and the B team.
5) Ben Martino, 198 cm, Nashville SC
Another goalkeeper in the youth group standing at 6’6” is Ben Martino of Nashville SC. He has been named on several bench positions but has not been called up for first-team action.
Meanwhile, they will continue to play in the franchise’s MLS Next Pro teams until they are ready for the first team titles.
4) Ben Lundt, 198 cm, St. Louis City SC
Ben Lundt is another player on the 6’6” scoring team who is behind the other in terms of first place. Ben Lundt has the difficult task of disposing of club captain and former Borussia Dortmund striker, Roman Burki.
A long career by all accounts, especially since Burki is in contention to be one of the best the best players in MLS this season. Lundt was given playing time in the US Open Cup, however.
3) Luka Gavran, 198 cm, Toronto FC
Due to all the problems at Toronto FC, Luka Gravan could be called up soon Sean Johnson often they have done less than expected.
He was seen on the MLS bench and given that Toronto has struggled, what’s the problem with trying a 6’6” 20-year-old keeper?
2) Hunter Sulte, 201 cm, Portland Timbers
People from Alaska must be strong enough to withstand the harsh winter conditions. Hungry Hunter he had no problem with his 6’7” height, which gives him great control of the area.
The 21-year-old has yet to keep a clean sheet in MLS Next Pro, but has been training with the first team and played in the US Open Cup.
1) Matthew Nocita, 203 cm, New York Red Bulls
Officially, the tallest MLS player in 2023 is Matthew Nocita. Although a native of California, he spent some time in the US Navy where he returned to the East Coast by signing with the New York Red Bulls.
At 23 years old, Nocita is still in the second round of MLS Next Pro. However, the defender is often seen on the bench as part of the first team but is not selected as a substitute in the middle of the game. There is no doubt that if he shows the technical skills with the New York Red Bulls II he will start in the first team, as he already has the physicality to succeed as a senior defender.