Audi Player Index: Who are the best box-to-box midfielders in MLS?

The Houston Dynamo have not had the greatest of seasons, and they are on the verge of being eliminated from playoff contention.

Their predicament is not the fault of Ricardo Clark. The former US national team stalwart has been exceptional for the Dynamo again this season, contributing four goals and three assists and providing defensive solidity in his box-to-box midfield role.

Clark places 10th among box-to-box midfielders in MLS this season according to the Audi Player Index. He places that highly in part due to the fact that he has misplaced just 34 passes in his own half, which decrease a player's points by 20 each time.

The 33-year-old will lead the Dynamo against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday (8:30 pm ET, MLS LIVE), as they attempt to spoil the Rapids' shot at the Supporters' Shield. Rapids midfielder Dillon Powers places just behind Clark in the Audi Player Index rankings, as he has averaged 277 points per game this season.

Some big names (Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard, Benny Feilhaber, Andrea Pirlo) top the charts in terms of box-to-box midfielders in MLS this season.

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