Calling it right away—this column is the sophomore jinx.
Last season, the MLS Awards’ ballot felt like a refreshingly vibrant take on the season. The MVP vote felt clear as day, and a lot of the other pieces fell in place. There were no real controversies, and all of the winners felt pretty justified. As far off as I was with a few picks, I was a novice at it—the judgment delivered from the many experts out there still made sense.
However, we still saw that Miami-sized meteor landing in the distance. The ripples from that seismic signing and all of those to follow would be felt in the upcoming months. Now the readings from the Richter scale are all over the place.
Let’s face it—everyone and their second aunt, once removed, will be voting for Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and anyone wearing salmon pink from Tata Martino’s Inter Miami CF squad. If you vote for anyone else, you’ll be labeled a hater.
I’ll keep my own explanation short—when you have a team that deep and overloaded with that much talent, there are no MVPs, even with a Ballon d’Or winner in its roster. Honestly, Miami would have won the Shield missing either Messi or Suarez. Even if both were unavailable for much of the season, Miami still would have coasted to a home playoff spot.
Therefore, my ballot should be considered a list of runner-up candidates. There’s a good chance each of these picks will be a swinging strikeout, which is why we’ve picked who would likely win, who won’t win, and who deserved to be on the ballot.
(Disclaimer: some of these have already been announced, and so far they haven’t been wrong. Power to the people!)
Referee of the Year: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referee of the Year: Kyle Atkins
Both of these picks have been announced already, and both of my picks pretty much went the same way. Fischer was my pick even before the finalists were announced. Atkins…well, it was because you came first alphabetically.
A side note—something really does need to be said about Guido Gonzalez Jr. being named a finalist. I’m not going to toss his name in the mud—it’s been seven years since FC Cincinnati fans first knew of GG Jr’s name. It should be water under the bridge by now. Let’s hope it means he’s gotten better and that it’s not an anomaly.
MVP: Juan Hernandez, Columbus Crew
I already feel this is a failed pick after the fact. The Red Bulls proved that this (and future picks) could be dubious.
People are going to point out that Cucho shouldn’t get consideration for this award when the combined offensive statistics are presented. The Colombian striker had less goals than three of the other four finalists (Messi, Suarez, Christian Benteke) and less assists than the other (Evander). His combined statistics are on par or less than three players who were not even considered for the final round (Lucho Acosta, Gabriel Pec, Denis Bouanga). Of the real finalists, the Crew’s striker felt great in all statistics, while the other finalists had one unnaturally solid stat.
So why pick Cucho if his stats are merely parallel to others deserving of the award? Personally, it comes to the makeup of the team when your star is left off the roster. I honestly believe that Columbus would not be where it is today had it not been for Cucho’s numbers. Some could argue that Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, and Jacen Russell-Rowe could cover the load in Cucho’s absence, but I have a hard time believing that on paper.
Had one of the other four candidates missed a significant part of the season, it would not have affected their team’s finish. It’s that value to the team that made me pull the lever for Hernandez.
(Additionally, I take umbrage to voters leaving out Luciano Acosta from this list of finalists when Benteke didn’t even make the playoffs. As faint as his chances were to repeat, Lucho’s 33 combined goals and assists should count for something.)
Fashionable Pick: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Luis Suarez, Inter Miami CF
Dishonorable Omission: Luciano Acosta, FC Cincinnati
Goalkeeper of the Year: Kristjian Kahlina, Charlotte FC
Frankly, it felt like there was a severe lack of goalkeeping depth this season.
No, it didn’t feel like it—it actually was one of the highest-scoring seasons in MLS history. Teams scored a total of 1,552 goals over the 2024 regular season. That 3.15 goals-per-game average is fourth highest over the 29 MLS seasons. Only 2018 saw a higher average in the past 20 years.
Amid all of this unprecedented scoring, Kahlina was the only keeper who I felt changed the game by just being on the starting lineup. Not only were his 12 clean sheets second to only Seattle’s Stefan Frei, but he had the highest save percentage (76 percent) amongst all 29 “starting” goalkeepers. His 121 saves were third to only Austin FC’s Brad Stuver and the Galaxy’s John McCarthy.
Kahlina’s value skyrockets when you see how many goals he prevented this season. According to FOTMOB, Kahlina prevented 12.7 goals this season. Stuver was a distant second with 7.5 goals. (In comparison, Djordje Petrovic prevented 13.3 in his 2022 award-winning season.)
More importantly, Kahlina appeared in every minute of the Charlotte FC regular season. He put up all these numbers while staying fit and reliable. Hard to argue against someone pulling their weight that way.
Fashionable Pick: Patrick Schulte, Columbus Crew
Honorable Mention: Hugo Lloris, LAFC
Dishonorable Omission: Matt Freese, NYCFC
Defender of the Year: Jackson Ragen, Seattle Sounders
Again, this award should go to a member of the team that gives up the least number of goals, right? That makes the most amount of sense if you want to praise a defender for their defense.
Seattle may not have had the most potent offense, but their defenders kept them within strike every match and at least an outside contender. The Sounders were undefeated over their final seven matches, and five of them were clean sheets.
The question then becomes a bit harder to answer—if you love all of your children, which of your children do you love the most?
His fellow center back Yeimar gets a lot of the press, but Regan has been involved in 600 more passes than his crewmate and has improved his long game immensely. While Yeimar might be the rock of the backline, Regan’s solid improvement in passing and attacking could give him a chance with the national team. Seriously.
(Another side note: does Alba count as a ‘defender’? Sure, he has great numbers as an attacking left back, but if his association with Miami gets him first-place votes over pure defenders such as Adilson Malanda from Charlotte, I’ll start to question the selection process.)
Fashionable Pick: Jordi Alba, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Steven Moreira, Columbus Crew
Dishonorable Omission: Adilson Malanda, Charlotte FC
Comeback Player of the Year: Robin Lod, Minnesota United FC
It doesn’t feel like there were many stories this season where someone who lost a season’s worth of work returned to the level they left at. For many recovering from a debilitating season-ending injury, merely returning to the pitch is a victory in itself.
Lod has definitely been the exception for Minnesota, returning to form after a meniscus tear which shelved him ten matches into the 2023 season. He has logged almost 2,400 minutes this season over 32 matches, close to his season-high back in 2022.
The Loons could have certainly capitulated after the departures of head coach Adrien Heath and playmaker Emanuel Reynoso. They could have also surrendered after a midseason six-match losing streak. However, Lod’s seven goals and 15 assists, a personal best in the latter category, have been key in Minnesota’s return to the playoffs. Minnesota has an 8-3-2 record whenever Lod has contributed to scoring.
Fashionable Pick: Lewis Morgan, New York Red Bulls
Honorable Mention: Maxi Morales, NYCFC
Dishonorable Omission: Ian Fray, Inter Miami CF
Young Player of the Year: Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake
When Luna did not make it on the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team this year, many felt it was a wasted opportunity. The 21-year-old Californian midfielder has shown in his three seasons with Real Salt Lake that he can control the pitch.
Luna has already doubled his pitch time over the past season, playing 2,221 minutes over 31 matches. His eight goals and 12 assists make him the most productive MLS player under 22 this season. His first All-Star Game appearance could be one of many more if he doesn’t make a quick exit overseas.
Those numbers and accolades made my decision for me, but I still wonder why he wasn’t atop MLSsoccer.com’s “22 Under 22” list this season. Of course, underestimation should breed new challenges.
Fashionable pick: Diego Gomez, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Cristian Olivera, LAFC
Dishonorable Omission: Quinn Sullivan, Philadelphia Union
Newcomer of the Year: Gabriel Pec, Los Angeles Galaxy
Pec already won this award, but was this pick controversial?
Elder statesmen and pundits will point to the numbers produced by the 37-year-old Luis Suarez and claim that his 20 goals and nine assists at his age and with his wear should justify the award. Remember those claims of his bad knees and rumors of his impending retirement? Once again, I still point at the uber-squad that the Miami front office created and feel that Suarez wouldn’t put up his numbers elsewhere.
Pec, on the other hand, is younger at 23 and full of deeper potential. His 30 contributions (16 goals, 14 assists) have him tied for sixth in the MLS, and his performances during Riqui Puig’s absences in June drove the Galaxy to second in the Western Conference. Pec also took the most shots on target (57), ranked third in total shots (122), and finished eighth in overall xG (14.4).
Yes, these numbers are similar to Suarez’s, but without Pec, I don’t see the Galaxy getting back into the conversation as the West’s best.
Fashionable pick: Luis Suarez, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Luca Orellano, FC Cincinnati
Dishonorable Omission: Hugo Lloris, LAFC
Coach of the Year: Wilfred Nancy, Columbus Crew
Again, I have no issues with giving the award to Tata Martino if the collective will of the punditry and fandom demand it. After all, the team still consistently won without Messi and Suarez at times, so something should be clicking between the talent and the coaching staff.
However, I still feel that Nancy did more with his squad than Tata. Over the past 12 months, Nancy has led the Crew to an MLS Cup, a Leagues Cup, and a CCC finals appearance. Despite all of these tournaments, the Crew still managed to finish second overall in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Yes, this is a regular-season award, but at the end of the year, Nancy is the one with rumors about coaching vacancies abroad. That is the mark of success that other teams strive for.
Fashionable pick: Tata Martino, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Chris Armas, Colorado Rapids
Dishonorable Omission: Greg Vanney, Los Angeles Galaxy
Best XI (3-3-4):
Goalkeeper:
Kristjian Kahlina (CLT)
Defenders:
Jackson Ragen (SEA)
Adilson Malanda (CLT)
Steven Moreira (CLB)
Midfielders:
Lucho Acosta (CIN)
Evander (POR)
Riqui Puig (LAG)
Forwards:
Lionel Messi (MIA)
Christian Benteke (DCU)
Juan Hernandez (CLB)
Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
The only controversial choice here would be the formation.
Okay, so this team will probably be difficult to play with all of the egos to massage, but that’s what all-star exhibition matches are for. I just pick the teams for their collective talent, not for their ability to actually compete for silverware.
The back line is pretty easy to decipher, as discussed in the previous award presentations. Charlotte, Seattle, and Columbus had three of the four stingiest defenses in the league. (Sorry, Houston—although Micael was on the short list!)
The midfield has no real defensive presence, but that’s some solid production from last season’s MVP, a candidate for this season’s award, and arguably the biggest soccer star in L.A.’s crowded guest list. It’s hard to justify other names in this sparse list, but Djordje Mihailovic from Colorado or Albert Rusnak from Seattle could slot in somewhere.
If it were possible to field a formation with 10 forwards, I’d even try to do that—that’s how deep the talent pool went this season. Messi, Cucho, and Bouanga were easy picks, but when it came to the final slot, I went with the Golden Boot winner, even though I still can’t justify Benteke on the MVP short list. My guess is Luis Suarez or Chicho Arango won’t lose sleep over my ballot selections.
By no means is this a comprehensive or realistic Starting XI. If so, you’d possibly see Luca Orellano playing a wing-back position or João Paulo at defensive midfield, but no one pays me to play fantasy football coach.
Do you agree with the picks? Did any FC Cincinnati players deserve recognition? How many Miami fans will claim I was bribed in Garberbucks? Let us know!
Calling it right away—this column is the sophomore jinx.
Last season, the MLS Awards’ ballot felt like a refreshingly vibrant take on the season. The MVP vote felt clear as day, and a lot of the other pieces fell in place. There were no real controversies, and all of the winners felt pretty justified. As far off as I was with a few picks, I was a novice at it—the judgment delivered from the many experts out there still made sense.
However, we still saw that Miami-sized meteor landing in the distance. The ripples from that seismic signing and all of those to follow would be felt in the upcoming months. Now the readings from the Richter scale are all over the place.
Let’s face it—everyone and their second aunt, once removed, will be voting for Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and anyone wearing salmon pink from Tata Martino’s Inter Miami CF squad. If you vote for anyone else, you’ll be labeled a hater.
I’ll keep my own explanation short—when you have a team that deep and overloaded with that much talent, there are no MVPs, even with a Ballon d’Or winner in its roster. Honestly, Miami would have won the Shield missing either Messi or Suarez. Even if both were unavailable for much of the season, Miami still would have coasted to a home playoff spot.
Therefore, my ballot should be considered a list of runner-up candidates. There’s a good chance each of these picks will be a swinging strikeout, which is why we’ve picked who would likely win, who won’t win, and who deserved to be on the ballot.
(Disclaimer: some of these have already been announced, and so far they haven’t been wrong. Power to the people!)
Referee of the Year: Drew Fischer
Assistant Referee of the Year: Kyle Atkins
Both of these picks have been announced already, and both of my picks pretty much went the same way. Fischer was my pick even before the finalists were announced. Atkins…well, it was because you came first alphabetically.
A side note—something really does need to be said about Guido Gonzalez Jr. being named a finalist. I’m not going to toss his name in the mud—it’s been seven years since FC Cincinnati fans first knew of GG Jr’s name. It should be water under the bridge by now. Let’s hope it means he’s gotten better and that it’s not an anomaly.
MVP: Juan Hernandez, Columbus Crew
I already feel this is a failed pick after the fact. The Red Bulls proved that this (and future picks) could be dubious.
People are going to point out that Cucho shouldn’t get consideration for this award when the combined offensive statistics are presented. The Colombian striker had less goals than three of the other four finalists (Messi, Suarez, Christian Benteke) and less assists than the other (Evander). His combined statistics are on par or less than three players who were not even considered for the final round (Lucho Acosta, Gabriel Pec, Denis Bouanga). Of the real finalists, the Crew’s striker felt great in all statistics, while the other finalists had one unnaturally solid stat.
So why pick Cucho if his stats are merely parallel to others deserving of the award? Personally, it comes to the makeup of the team when your star is left off the roster. I honestly believe that Columbus would not be where it is today had it not been for Cucho’s numbers. Some could argue that Diego Rossi, Christian Ramirez, and Jacen Russell-Rowe could cover the load in Cucho’s absence, but I have a hard time believing that on paper.
Had one of the other four candidates missed a significant part of the season, it would not have affected their team’s finish. It’s that value to the team that made me pull the lever for Hernandez.
(Additionally, I take umbrage to voters leaving out Luciano Acosta from this list of finalists when Benteke didn’t even make the playoffs. As faint as his chances were to repeat, Lucho’s 33 combined goals and assists should count for something.)
Fashionable Pick: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Luis Suarez, Inter Miami CF
Dishonorable Omission: Luciano Acosta, FC Cincinnati
Goalkeeper of the Year: Kristjian Kahlina, Charlotte FC
Frankly, it felt like there was a severe lack of goalkeeping depth this season.
No, it didn’t feel like it—it actually was one of the highest-scoring seasons in MLS history. Teams scored a total of 1,552 goals over the 2024 regular season. That 3.15 goals-per-game average is fourth highest over the 29 MLS seasons. Only 2018 saw a higher average in the past 20 years.
Amid all of this unprecedented scoring, Kahlina was the only keeper who I felt changed the game by just being on the starting lineup. Not only were his 12 clean sheets second to only Seattle’s Stefan Frei, but he had the highest save percentage (76 percent) amongst all 29 “starting” goalkeepers. His 121 saves were third to only Austin FC’s Brad Stuver and the Galaxy’s John McCarthy.
Kahlina’s value skyrockets when you see how many goals he prevented this season. According to FOTMOB, Kahlina prevented 12.7 goals this season. Stuver was a distant second with 7.5 goals. (In comparison, Djordje Petrovic prevented 13.3 in his 2022 award-winning season.)
More importantly, Kahlina appeared in every minute of the Charlotte FC regular season. He put up all these numbers while staying fit and reliable. Hard to argue against someone pulling their weight that way.
Fashionable Pick: Patrick Schulte, Columbus Crew
Honorable Mention: Hugo Lloris, LAFC
Dishonorable Omission: Matt Freese, NYCFC
Defender of the Year: Jackson Ragen, Seattle Sounders
Again, this award should go to a member of the team that gives up the least number of goals, right? That makes the most amount of sense if you want to praise a defender for their defense.
Seattle may not have had the most potent offense, but their defenders kept them within strike every match and at least an outside contender. The Sounders were undefeated over their final seven matches, and five of them were clean sheets.
The question then becomes a bit harder to answer—if you love all of your children, which of your children do you love the most?
His fellow center back Yeimar gets a lot of the press, but Regan has been involved in 600 more passes than his crewmate and has improved his long game immensely. While Yeimar might be the rock of the backline, Regan’s solid improvement in passing and attacking could give him a chance with the national team. Seriously.
(Another side note: does Alba count as a ‘defender’? Sure, he has great numbers as an attacking left back, but if his association with Miami gets him first-place votes over pure defenders such as Adilson Malanda from Charlotte, I’ll start to question the selection process.)
Fashionable Pick: Jordi Alba, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Steven Moreira, Columbus Crew
Dishonorable Omission: Adilson Malanda, Charlotte FC
Comeback Player of the Year: Robin Lod, Minnesota United FC
It doesn’t feel like there were many stories this season where someone who lost a season’s worth of work returned to the level they left at. For many recovering from a debilitating season-ending injury, merely returning to the pitch is a victory in itself.
Lod has definitely been the exception for Minnesota, returning to form after a meniscus tear which shelved him ten matches into the 2023 season. He has logged almost 2,400 minutes this season over 32 matches, close to his season-high back in 2022.
The Loons could have certainly capitulated after the departures of head coach Adrien Heath and playmaker Emanuel Reynoso. They could have also surrendered after a midseason six-match losing streak. However, Lod’s seven goals and 15 assists, a personal best in the latter category, have been key in Minnesota’s return to the playoffs. Minnesota has an 8-3-2 record whenever Lod has contributed to scoring.
Fashionable Pick: Lewis Morgan, New York Red Bulls
Honorable Mention: Maxi Morales, NYCFC
Dishonorable Omission: Ian Fray, Inter Miami CF
Young Player of the Year: Diego Luna, Real Salt Lake
When Luna did not make it on the U.S. Men’s Olympic Team this year, many felt it was a wasted opportunity. The 21-year-old Californian midfielder has shown in his three seasons with Real Salt Lake that he can control the pitch.
Luna has already doubled his pitch time over the past season, playing 2,221 minutes over 31 matches. His eight goals and 12 assists make him the most productive MLS player under 22 this season. His first All-Star Game appearance could be one of many more if he doesn’t make a quick exit overseas.
Those numbers and accolades made my decision for me, but I still wonder why he wasn’t atop MLSsoccer.com’s “22 Under 22” list this season. Of course, underestimation should breed new challenges.
Fashionable pick: Diego Gomez, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Cristian Olivera, LAFC
Dishonorable Omission: Quinn Sullivan, Philadelphia Union
Newcomer of the Year: Gabriel Pec, Los Angeles Galaxy
Pec already won this award, but was this pick controversial?
Elder statesmen and pundits will point to the numbers produced by the 37-year-old Luis Suarez and claim that his 20 goals and nine assists at his age and with his wear should justify the award. Remember those claims of his bad knees and rumors of his impending retirement? Once again, I still point at the uber-squad that the Miami front office created and feel that Suarez wouldn’t put up his numbers elsewhere.
Pec, on the other hand, is younger at 23 and full of deeper potential. His 30 contributions (16 goals, 14 assists) have him tied for sixth in the MLS, and his performances during Riqui Puig’s absences in June drove the Galaxy to second in the Western Conference. Pec also took the most shots on target (57), ranked third in total shots (122), and finished eighth in overall xG (14.4).
Yes, these numbers are similar to Suarez’s, but without Pec, I don’t see the Galaxy getting back into the conversation as the West’s best.
Fashionable pick: Luis Suarez, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Luca Orellano, FC Cincinnati
Dishonorable Omission: Hugo Lloris, LAFC
Coach of the Year: Wilfred Nancy, Columbus Crew
Again, I have no issues with giving the award to Tata Martino if the collective will of the punditry and fandom demand it. After all, the team still consistently won without Messi and Suarez at times, so something should be clicking between the talent and the coaching staff.
However, I still feel that Nancy did more with his squad than Tata. Over the past 12 months, Nancy has led the Crew to an MLS Cup, a Leagues Cup, and a CCC finals appearance. Despite all of these tournaments, the Crew still managed to finish second overall in the Supporters’ Shield race.
Yes, this is a regular-season award, but at the end of the year, Nancy is the one with rumors about coaching vacancies abroad. That is the mark of success that other teams strive for.
Fashionable pick: Tata Martino, Inter Miami CF
Honorable Mention: Chris Armas, Colorado Rapids
Dishonorable Omission: Greg Vanney, Los Angeles Galaxy
Best XI (3-3-4):
Goalkeeper:
Kristjian Kahlina (CLT)
Defenders:
Jackson Ragen (SEA)
Adilson Malanda (CLT)
Steven Moreira (CLB)
Midfielders:
Lucho Acosta (CIN)
Evander (POR)
Riqui Puig (LAG)
Forwards:
Lionel Messi (MIA)
Christian Benteke (DCU)
Juan Hernandez (CLB)
Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
The only controversial choice here would be the formation.
Okay, so this team will probably be difficult to play with all of the egos to massage, but that’s what all-star exhibition matches are for. I just pick the teams for their collective talent, not for their ability to actually compete for silverware.
The back line is pretty easy to decipher, as discussed in the previous award presentations. Charlotte, Seattle, and Columbus had three of the four stingiest defenses in the league. (Sorry, Houston—although Micael was on the short list!)
The midfield has no real defensive presence, but that’s some solid production from last season’s MVP, a candidate for this season’s award, and arguably the biggest soccer star in L.A.’s crowded guest list. It’s hard to justify other names in this sparse list, but Djordje Mihailovic from Colorado or Albert Rusnak from Seattle could slot in somewhere.
If it were possible to field a formation with 10 forwards, I’d even try to do that—that’s how deep the talent pool went this season. Messi, Cucho, and Bouanga were easy picks, but when it came to the final slot, I went with the Golden Boot winner, even though I still can’t justify Benteke on the MVP short list. My guess is Luis Suarez or Chicho Arango won’t lose sleep over my ballot selections.
By no means is this a comprehensive or realistic Starting XI. If so, you’d possibly see Luca Orellano playing a wing-back position or João Paulo at defensive midfield, but no one pays me to play fantasy football coach.
Do you agree with the picks? Did any FC Cincinnati players deserve recognition? How many Miami fans will claim I was bribed in Garberbucks? Let us know!
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