Audi Player Index: Who are the best attacking midfielders in MLS?

2016 has been a banner year for attacking midfielders in MLS.

Diego Valeri has led the Portland Timbers in their title defense, collecting 12 goals and seven assists as they currently sit in the No. 5 spot in the West. Sacha Kljestan has the New York Red Bulls in second place in the East and could become the first player since Carlos Valderrama to reach 20 assists in a season.

Two more attacking midfielders are MVP candidates, leading their teams to the to top two seeds in the West. Mauro Diaz has 5 goals and 11 assists for the Supporters' Shield-leading FC Dallas while Giovani dos Santos has 14 goals and 11 assists for the LA Galaxy.

All of those players sit in the top five in the Audi Player Index among attacking midfielders. Two players who sit just outside the top five could face off on Sunday.

Federico Higuain hasn't had a vintage season for Columbus Crew SC, garnering just four goals and three assists, but he does sit at No. 6. One of the reasons he places so high is his 76.96 passing accuracy in the opponent's half, which is higher than that of Valeri, Kljestan or Diaz. Players are subtracted 18 points for every unsuccessful pass in the opponent's half.

Sitting just behind him at No. 7 is New England Revolution midfielder Lee Nguyen. Nguyen earned his place thanks to his 69 chances created, the third most in the league. Midfielders earn 45 points for every chance created.

You can get a chance to see Higuain and Nguyen in action on Sunday when Columbus takes on New England at MAPFRE Stadium (7 pm ET; FS1 in US | MLS LIVE in Canada). 

Here are the top 10 attacking midfielders in MLS this season (minimum 10 games at the position), according to the Audi Player Index. The scores are an average of each player's Audi Index score per game: