Wayne Rooney's impact since making the switch to Major League Soccer in June has been nothing short of incredible, with another top performance at the weekend resulting in yet another win for a D.C. United side that was badly struggling prior to his arrival.

After only two wins in 19 games pre-Rooney, the Washington franchise have won six of the 11 they've played since the former Manchester United star made his debut in mid-July.

A match-saving tackle followed mere seconds later by a match-winning assist in a 3-2 thriller against Orlando last month made headlines around the world.

D.C. United's most recent Rooney-inspired victory was a shock result on Sunday night that knocked MLS Cup favourites Atlanta United off the top of the standings - Rooney scored once from the penalty spot and assisted two others for Luciano Acosta in the 3-1 win.

The MLS Cup playoffs may be just out of reach at this late stage of the season, but D.C. United would certainly fancy themselves in 2018 if Rooney stays in top form.

But away from the headline grabbing ex-England captain, there are plenty of other top players who have lit up Major League Soccer this season and whose teams could still go all the way.

Here's a look at nine MLS stars most who don't follow the league probably haven't heard of... yet.

9. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (New York City)

New York City forward Ismael Tajouri-Shradi has outscored evergreen teammate David Villa so far this season after finding the net consistently throughout the 2018 campaign to help his team as they look to reach the MLS Cup playoffs for the third straight year.

Having previously played his club football in Austria, the Switzerland-born former Libya junior international was a new MLS signing for this season and is yet to go more than four games without finding the net. His tally currently stands at 11, despite mainly playing out wide.

8. Ignacio Piatti (Montreal Impact)

Filling Didier Drogba's shoes as Montreal Impact's elder statesman, Argentine attacking midfielder Ignacio Piatti has been an MLS All-Star in 2016, 2017 and now 2018, while the 33-year-old is also on course to finish as the club's MVP for the fourth season in a row.

Piatti, who arrived in North America in 2014 after wining the Copa Libertadores with San Lorenzo, has scored 13 MLS goals and registered eight assists so far this season - no other Montreal player has contributed to more than 10 goals and the team is in playoff contention.

7. Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Now fully converted into a full-back after starting out as a winger, US international Graham Zusi was named as an MLS All-Star for the sixth time earlier this season and is still going strong at the age of 32 after playing over 250 games for Sporting Kansas City to date.

An MLS Cup winner with KC in 2013, Zusi hasn't missed a minute of MLS action this season, helping the team into serious playoff contention in the Western Conference. He could well be named KC's MVP for the first time since 2013 as a result of his star role.

6. Albert Rusnak (Real Salt Lake)

Albert Rusnak may be a name familiar with some Manchester City fans as he was on the books at the Etihad Campus for five seasons, never making an appearance for the first team. He went to Groningen in 2015 but has been making waves with Real Salt Lake since 2017.

The 24-year-old Slovakian international enjoyed a solid debut season in MLS last year and has taken a step to the next level in 2018. His 10 goals from midfield make him RSL's joint top scorer, while he has contributed a further five assists, putting the team in playoff contention.

5. Diego Rossi (LA FC)

Former Arsenal forward Carlos Vela may be a bigger name at Los Angeles FC, but the brand new club placed plenty of faith in Uruguayan youngster Diego Rossi when they made the then teenager a 'Designated Player' ahead of the 2018 season.

That faith has so far been justified given that versatile winger Rossi, formerly of Penarol, has had a direct hand in 14 goals this season, only two fewer than Vela, while LA as a team are in contention to finish top of the Western Conference in their debut campaign.

4. Alphonso Davies (Vancouver Whitecaps)

Vancouver Whitecaps starlet Alphonso Davies has already agreed to join Bayern Munich in January 2019 after his stellar performances have consistently showcased his immense talent and potential since making the step up to first team action back in 2016.

The 2018 MLS season has been home grown Davies' best season yet, with the Canadian international managing six goals and eight assists from his role on the left flank. To think that he is still two months shy of his 18th birthday is nothing short of frightening.

3. Alejandro Romero Gamarra (New York Red Bulls)

New York Red Bulls sealed the signing of attacking midfielder Alejandro Romero Gamarra from Argentine club Huracan ahead of the 2018 season after paying off Atlanta United with $50,000 to buy his 'Discovery' rights, with the new star central to the team's MLS Cup title hopes.

Five of Gamarra's 10 assists so far this season have been for Bradley Wright-Phillips goals, while the Argentina-born 23-year-old is also now a full international after making his senior bow for Paraguay in a friendly against Japan back in June.

2. Miguel Almiron (Atlanta United)

Having joined from Argentine club Lanus, Paraguayan midfielder Miguel Almiron was a huge reason why Atlanta United enjoyed such a strong debut season in 2017, making the MLS Cup playoffs and scoring more goals than every team except eventual champions Toronto FC.

Almiron is on fire again in 2018, already matching the nine goals he scored last season with seven games still to play. He's also already exceeded his assist tally from 2017, laying on 11 goals for teammates this season and is battling one of his own colleagues for MLS MVP...

1. Josef Martinez (Atlanta United)