Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 21. Jonathan Rodriguez

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Jonathan Rodriguez was one of three high-scoring Portland Timbers in 2024. The trio of Rodriguez, Evander and Felipe Mora terrorized opposing teams. The ~$5m signing arrived from Club America ahead of the season with high expectations. He matched those and perhaps even surpassed them. The Portland attack is in a state of uncertainy at the moment with its star in Evander, though Rodriguez is set to return to his scoring ways in 2025. The Timbers scored 65 goals, though were let down by their defense and barely even squeaked into the play-in game. The forwards continuously fired on all cylinders, though the defense gave up 56 goals.

The Uruguayan was playing for America when MLS kicked off, but he hit the ground running a month later. He scored against Philadelphia in his debut. In May, he dropped a brace against San Jose and scored against Minnesota in the following game. He scored goals in three consecutive games in June, closing it with a 90'+2 winner against the Loons. Two goals and an assist led his side to a 4-1 domination of Nashville SC. In September, he embarked on a streak of three straight games with a goal once again, but symbolic of the Portland season, the team only won one of those matches. The ugly conclusion against Vancouver is one Timbers fans will try to forget.

Rodriguez amassed 16 goals throughout the year. He scored at a clip of 0.57 goals per 90. Perhaps the most impressive stat of his season is his two aerial duels won a match at the height of 5-foot-10, which ranks in the 95th percentile for forwards. He averaged over seven touches in the opposition's box per 90, a testament to his dangerous on-ball ability in the attacking third. Even at the age of 31, Portland picked up a star scorer in his prime. The creator role for his team is a bit foggy at the moment, but if the Timbers find a solution, they should be in for another productive year in 2025. Rodriguez comes in at No. 21.

21) JONATHAN RODRIGUEZ | FWD, POR | PER 90 STATS (PERCENTILE)

16 GOALS

0.57 GOALS PER 90 (94%)

2.04 AERIAL DUELS WON PER 90 (95%)

7.4 TOUCHES IN OPPOSITION BOX PER 90 (94%)