Setpiecetakers.com looks at each MLS club’s designated free-kick takers. Who takes free kicks for D.C. United, Colorado Rapids, or Real Salt Lake?
The 2025 MLS season is ablaze with electrifying goals, tactical battles, and moments of pure skill. But lurking beneath the surface lies a hidden world, where set pieces reign supreme – the domain of free-kick wizards.
These maestros of dead-ball situations wield their precision and power to carve open defenses, delivering game-changing opportunities and moments of magic.
Often overlooked, their impact on the pitch is undeniable, shaping the tides of matches and leaving opponents scrambling. So, buckle up and prepare to delve into the fascinating world of MLS set-piece specialists, where a single touch can unlock the door to victory.
Table of Contents
This blog post delves into the world of free-kick takers MLS in the 2025 season, providing a detailed overview of the teams and players who have been pivotal in this aspect of the game.
Free-Kick Takers MLS 2025
If you are a follower of Major League Soccer, you know the excellent importance free-kick takers have in the MLS league. They can decide the result of a game or even the title race.
Nevertheless, do you know who the top free-kick takers are in Major League Soccer? This blog post will expose the answers to these inquiries and others, using our table of free-kickers in North America’s strongest football league.
| Team | Taker(s) | Key Actions | Confidence (1–5) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlanta United FC | Brooks Lennon | FK goal vs NYCFC; consistent dead ball delivery | 4 | Confirmed 2025 taker, currently featured in match logs; recent injuries but mainstay in starting XI |
| Austin FC | Sebastián Driussi, Franco Rigoni, Alex Ring | Driussi FK assist; Rigoni confirmed direct FK scorer | 4 | Kolmanic was involved, now on loan; these names all validated for 2025 |
| CF Montréal | Mathieu Choinière, Ariel Lassiter | FK takers in rotation; Choinière main | 3 | Squad changes mean Lassiter role may vary |
| Charlotte FC | Karol Świderski, Derrick Jones | Swiderski on most dead balls, occasional direct FKs | 3 | Shared duty, no standout direct FK record |
| Chicago Fire FC | Brian Gutiérrez | Secondary FK taker; involved in set pieces 2025 | 4 | Shaqiri contract terminated August 2024; Gutiérrez now main option |
| Colorado Rapids | Connor Ronan, Cole Bassett | Ronan key FK deliverer; Bassett involved on indirect | 4 | Rubio left club; both confirmed active |
| Columbus Crew | Darlington Nagbe, Max Arfsten | Indirect and direct FKs handled jointly | 3 | Lucas Zelarayán left in 2023; Nagbe primary with Arfsten emerging |
| D.C. United | Mateusz Klich, Kristian Fletcher | Klich takes most FKs; Fletcher involved in set piece plays | 3 | Rotation continues, both confirmed active |
| FC Cincinnati | Luca Orellano | Delivers direct and indirect FKs | 4 | Luciano Acosta transferred; Orellano currently responsible |
| FC Dallas | Luciano Acosta, Alan Velasco | Acosta main FK/corner taker after DP signing | 4 | Velasco occasional direct FKs, squad confirmed 2025 |
| Houston Dynamo FC | Amine Bassi, Héctor Herrera | Bassi scored several FKs; Herrera delivers indirect/deep FKs | 4 | Confirmed roles |
| Inter Miami CF | Lionel Messi | Multiple direct FK goals in 2025; league leader | 5 | Set piece maestro; highest-confidence |
| LAFC | Denis Bouanga | FK goals in 2025, handles direct and indirect | 4 | Vela in partial rotation; Bouanga primary |
| LA Galaxy | Riqui Puig, Gastón Brugman | Puig handles majority; Brugman backup | 4 | Typical split, both active 2025 |
| Minnesota United FC | Emanuel Reynoso, Robin Lod | Reynoso high xG/set-piece involvement | 4 | Lod backup; both consistently involved |
| Nashville SC | Hany Mukhtar, Daniel Lovitz | Mukhtar on direct FKs; Lovitz (L-foot) delivers indirect | 4 | Mainstays for 2025 |
| New England Revolution | Carles Gil | Consistent and prolific direct/indirect FK taker | 5 | Set piece specialist, top 3 in the league |
| New York Red Bulls | John Tolkin | Confirmed FK scorer, regular set piece duty | 5 | Direct FK goals, key threat |
| New York City FC | Santiago Rodríguez | Most active FK deliverer in 2025 | 4 | Other prior takers no longer in squad |
| Orlando City SC | Martín Ojeda, Facundo Torres | Ojeda confirmed FK scorer, Torres also involved | 4 | Both playmakers feature regularly |
| Philadelphia Union | Jack McGlynn | Seen on direct and indirect FKs | 3 | Mikael Uhre not involved; role varies |
| Portland Timbers | Evander, Santiago Moreno | Evander top FK scorer (2024–25) | 5 | Both actively involved, main specialists |
| Real Salt Lake | Pablo Ruiz | Primary FK taker last three seasons | 4 | Still main option |
| San Jose Earthquakes | Cristian Espinoza | Main set piece taker; several direct goals | 5 | Consistently delivers FKs, league leader |
| Seattle Sounders FC | Albert Rusnák, Cristian Roldán | Rusnák on direct FKs post-Lodeiro; Roldán indirect | 4 | Confirmed by match reports |
| Sporting Kansas City | Dániel Sallói, Gadi Kinda | Sallói for FK shooting; Kinda for service | 4 | Both involved regularly |
| St. Louis CITY SC | Eduard Löwen | FK goals/assists in recent campaigns | 4 | Remains top creative mid |
| Toronto FC | Federico Bernardeschi, Lorenzo Insigne | Both DPs share FK duties; direct and indirect goals | 5 | Rotation but high quality and accuracy |
| Vancouver Whitecaps FC | Ryan Gauld | Clear main FK taker; direct and indirect | 5 | Main creative outlet since 2023 |
| Last updated on August 23, 2025 – evaluated for 2025 MLS season |
Why You Can Trust Our Setpiece Takers Data
At SetPieceTakers, we prioritise accuracy:
- Expertise: We analyse official match reports, club communications, and reputable local media.
- Authority: We triangulate across multiple sources and clearly flag uncertainties.
- Consistency: We update regularly in-season, plus ad-hoc on transfers, injuries, or manager changes.
This approach keeps our list dependable without paywalls or fluff.
Free Kick Feats: MLS’ Masters of the Dead Ball
The roar of the crowd, the tension in the air, a free-kick opportunity on the edge of the box. In the pulsating world of MLS, these dead-ball situations hold the potential for moments of pure magic. But who are the wizards wielding the wand of precision and power, the free-kick maestros bending the ball to their will?
More than just luck: Forget aimless punts and hopeful prayers. Free kicks in the MLS are a battleground of strategy and skill. Teams meticulously craft routines, exploiting defensive gaps and luring opponents out of position. Analyzing free kick stats tells a story – how well teams are winning these opportunities and their tactical prowess in crafting game-changing moments.
Goals from impossible angles: Remember that breathtaking free kick that curled into the top corner last week? Chances are, it started with a foot blessed with pinpoint accuracy and a mind brimming with tactical understanding. Analyzing free kick stats helps us identify these specialists, the players with the ability to turn impossible angles into goals, single-handedly shifting the tide of a match.
Defensive vulnerabilities exposed: Not defending free kicks effectively can be a glaring red flag. Teams conceding a lot of these opportunities might be struggling defensively, letting opponents dictate the tempo and force them into giving away dangerous situations. Free kick stats can reveal these weaknesses, allowing teams to tighten up and plug the leaks.
The magic touch: Not everyone can bend the ball like Beckham. Free-kick takers MLS are often artists, their technique honed to perfection, their vision sharp enough to exploit even the smallest defensive lapse. Analyzing their stats helps us understand who truly owns the dead ball, who has the magic touch to turn a free kick into a moment of unforgettable brilliance.
Conquering the competition in 2025: Every point counts in the MLS title race, and teams are leaving no stone unturned in their quest for victory. Free kicks have become a crucial battleground, a chance to gain an edge and unlock scoring opportunities. By focusing on these situations, teams can refine their strategies, unleash their free-kick wizards, and tighten their defensive resolve.
So, the next time you see a free kick in an MLS game, remember, it’s not just a random kick. It’s a battle of skill, strategy, and a touch of magic. It’s a testament to the players who dare to bend the ball to their will, and a glimpse into the tactical chess game unfolding on the pitch.
This revised version focuses solely on the free kick takers in MLS, highlighting their importance, analyzing relevant statistics, and emphasizing the strategic element involved. It retains an engaging tone and avoids irrelevant information about corners and fantasy football.
Conclusion
Whether you’re setting your lineup or making in-game adjustments, this table will be your go-to resource for maximizing your points. Stay tuned for more updates as the season progresses, and may your fantasy team thrive with goals from well-placed free-kicks MLS!
The analysis of free-kick takers provides valuable insights into the strategies employed by different teams. It sheds light on the players trusted with this crucial task and their effectiveness in executing it. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how these free-kick takers MLS statistics evolve and their impact on the final league standings.
Stay tuned for more updates and analyses on free-kick takers MLS and other major football leagues around the world!
We value your feedback and engagement. If you spot any discrepancies or have additional insights into free-kick takers MLS, please don’t hesitate to leave a comment. Your feedback helps us provide the most accurate and up-to-date information to fellow football enthusiasts and fantasy sports players.
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