Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 74. Dani Pereira

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Dani Pereira has proved to be one of the best advancement and ball-carrying central midfielders in MLS since being drafted first overall out of Virginia Tech in 2021. Pereira was one of just a few Generation Adidas players in his class. His passing and dribbling numbers were quite impressive in 2024, for an Austin team that narrowly missed out on the playoffs. After a magical second ever season, it hasn't been as enjoyable for Pereira's side ever since, though he remains a consistent bright spot.

Pereira is not a goal sccorer, that's not the job of a gritty midfielder, but he did get on the scoresheet late in the campaign. He brought the ball down all on his own in Portland and fired a left footed shot home with the help of a deflection. In a 2-0 Leagues Cup win over Monterrey, perhaps the highlight of Austin's season, Pereira somehow found himself holding his run as a No. 9. Owen Wolff split the defense and sent Pereira through on goal for a breakaway dagger.

Pereira played his best game of 2024 in May against Sporting Kansas City. He intercepted a Tim Melia pass, made Nemanja Radoja look silly and set up Jader Obrian for an equalizer. Austin gives Pereira the freedom to roam where he sees best fit, as proven by the goal against Monterrey and his second assist against SKC. This time, he received the ball on the right wing and enacted some tidy footwork against Zorhan Bassong. His assist to Obrian was the pair's second linkup of the day.

Austin's central midfielder also had a run of three straight games with a helper. His setup for Gyasi Zardes pefectly showcases his ability to break lines and advance the play forward. An absolutely scrumptious first-time cross to Alex Ring earned him another in the next match. He proceeded to terrorize Mexican side Pumas UNAM with another assist to Zardes. The pure transition ability from midfield to attack earns Pereira the No. 74 spot of the top MLS players of 2024.

74) DANI PEREIRA | M, ATX | PER 90 STATS (PERCENTILE)

5 ASSISTS | 90.2% PASS ACCURACY (88%)

42.1% CROSS ACURRACY (88%)

1.50 SUCCESSFUL DRIBBLES (92%)

2.16 FOULS WON (89%)