It has been an honor to be offered a ballot for superlatives at the end of another bustling MLS season. I don’t think we want to toot our own horn here at CST, but being recognized as a prized local outlet in this manner makes the venture worth it. I hope I can speak on behalf of the entire staff when I say that it’s humbling and motivational.
However, at the same time, it’s also unnerving to see that less coverage is being left to the minds and fingers of your diligent soccer writers. Laurel Pfahler‘s open letter to MLS over the past week should open eyes on how soccer coverage needs to expand in 2026. If the World Cup is going to be presented globally, there needs to be more cooperation between the media and the league to present it openly and logically.
That doesn’t mean we need to increase it quantitatively. This month, the soccer robots took over, as people came to the realization that MLSsoccer.com has started to produce write-ups and results based on A.I. scripts. Even Inter Miami CF match coverage, which is usually big enough to get actual real-time commentary on FOTMOB, was left to the bots.
In the end, is it now worth it to provide thoughts on my votes for the 2025 MLS end-of-year awards? Do people care if a human being eschews his or her thoughts about the talent on the pitch? Would the general public rather have invested focus on performance by the human mind, or would they want ChatGPT to belch out the odds on who will win the MVP award?
Of course, let’s also keep in mind that ChatGPT is powered by the hypnosis of suggestion. It gives the vibes from all of the information it consumes, not the statistics behind the picks. It won’t give you an answer for these categories, only the ones that it would recommend based on what others have written.
Let’s see if you guys want that. I’m putting my picks to paper alongside who ChatGPT wants me to pick. After that, I’m never using ChatGPT ever again.
Referee of the Year
Allan Chapman
Let’s not go to artificial intelligence on getting this vote right. The referee’s job is an imperfect and thankless enough; the last thing we need to do is ask the ether which referee it likes best.
Chapman is one of three referees who have covered the most matches (26) in MLS this season, and it feels his work has been fair and low on card distribution (86 yellow cards). Surprisingly, he has called nine penalty kicks, fourth highest in the league, but has given only two red cards.
Between himself and the other two candidates (Drew Fischer and Guido Gonzalez Jr.—yes, that guy), Chapman seemed to have the general vibe that his games have been relatively fair. Again, it’s a thankless job, so it just doesn’t feel right to overanalyze the pick, let alone bring in A.I. to swing the selection.
Photo by Megan Lee
Comeback Player of the Year
Nick Hagglund, FC Cincinnati
Full disclosure: I already voted for Pablo Ruiz from RSL after the fact. Ruiz’s turnaround was significant to the point that he provided 21 starts in 27 appearances for Real Salt Lake and three quality games in the Leagues Cup, compiling two goals in the process.
However, for the sake of making this article feel a bit better in the pit of my stomach, I’m switching to Hagglund after the buzzer went off. A broken fibula and ankle ligament reconstruction in 2024 is one thing, but a punctured lung in 2025 just added to his legendary status locally. The goal and assist in the final match of the season makes my missed choice heavier in my gut.
Newcomer of the Year
Anders Dreyer, San Diego FC
The silly transfer season has been even sillier in 2025, as MLS cracked $335 million in transfer fees this season. The highest transfer mark was broken three times in one calendar year, with FC Cincinnati, Atlanta United, and LAFC splashing $16.3, $22, and $26 million for their big DP signings, respectively.
However, none of those three names are anywhere near my ballot box—Kevin Denkey has been above average in his production, but not seismic. Son Heung-Min hasn’t had enough time to be a smash in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Latte Lath did not score for the last three months in Atlanta.
Had he been signed earlier, Son (9 goals, 3 assists in 10 matches) probably would have run away with the award, due to his immediate impact and sheer presence in turning LAFC into a late-charging locomotive. Had the prize been given to a player that turned a team around from last year’s doldrums, Philip Zinckernagel (15 goals, 15 assists) would be a shoo-in after Chicago’s big surge into the playoff run.
Still, this award has been Dreyer’s since midseason.
Many of us were expecting the Dane’s performance to pale in comparison to other MVP candidates (and we’ll get to that in due time), but his 38 combined scoring contributions (19 goals, 19 assists) are second in the league. In addition, his 81% passing rate and 17% shot conversion rate are on par with other MVP candidates.
Most of all, Dreyer has been an iron horse for San Diego FC. Of all non-goalkeepers that have touched a blade of grass for their MLS squad this season, Dreyer is third in total minutes played (3,022). He has started every match for SDFC and has been an essential leader in San Diego’s record-setting inaugural year. There is no comparison.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“If I had to choose one who looks most likely to win ‘best newcomer’ for the season (so far), I’d lean Emmanuel Latte Lath. The combination of his transfer fee, expectations, and immediate impact (including multiple goals right away) makes him a strong frontrunner.”
Verdict: lol
Photo by Anders Saling
Young Player of the Year
Alex Freeman, Orlando City SC
While Freeman hadn’t gotten much time with the first team in Orlando since signing a homegrown deal in 2022, he did collect 12 goals and 15 assists over three years with Orlando City B. His jump to the first team has produced some solid numbers in 2025. The 21-year-old has become a staple at left back, scoring six goals and two assists in 29 appearances.
More impressively, his numbers led to his first MLS All-Star nod and inclusion into the USMNT main roster, already starting matches in this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, compiling eight starts in 10 appearances.
Sure, the voting shouldn’t include any non-MLS stats, but Freeman opened my eyes further than Vargas did.
ChatGPT’s pick:
Flat out, ChatGPT looked off the paper under the “22 Under 22” list provided by MLSsoccer.com and blurted out its pick.
“If I were making a ballot, I’d vote Seattle’s Obed Vargas #1. If you want, I can list a full top-5 or top-10 under-22s and we can argue pros/cons for each?”
Verdict: Not a bad pick, but you cheated off someone’s paper, dude.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC
As much as the clean sheet count has increased this season (248 clean sheets compared to 237 in 2024), this year has not felt like a year where one goalkeeper has dominated. While the likes of Yohei Takaoka of Vancouver and Hugo Lloris of LAFC have led the league in clean sheets, neither seem to be their team’s MVP, thanks to their clubs potent offenses. Kristijan Kahlina of Charlotte made a very good run in the end, but I decided to look deeper in the numbers and settled on Minnesota United’s St. Clair.
“Settling” makes it sound like I didn’t want this pick, but the Canadian dynamo was miles better than the field. St. Clair’s 78.9% save percentage was almost five percentage points ahead of the next keeper with more than 20 starts (Brad Stuver at Austin). His 1.0 GA per 90 was second only to Philadelphia’s Andre Blake (who managed to get 21 starts this season).
Most of all, his 114 saves were not only fourth in the league, but his goals prevented (6.71) were third in the league behind Toronto’s Sean Johnson and Kahlina. St. Clair wasn’t just making saves; he was keeping Minnesota in games they should have lost.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“If I were selecting Goalkeeper of the Year 2025, I’d lean Yohei Takaoka. He leads (or is among leaders) in shutouts, which is a major visible stat for goalkeepers. His consistency across many matches gives him a volume plus quality combination. While metrics like ‘goals prevented above expectation’ help, the shutouts and reliability are harder to argue against.”
Verdict: You know, these are good arguments, but Takaoka’s not who rescued the Whitecaps this season.
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
Defender of the Year
Kai Wagner, Philadelphia Union
Arguably, anyone on the Philadelphia Union’s back line could have taken this spot. Nathan Harriel led the league in interceptions per 90. Jakob Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya were one of the strongest center-back pairings in the league, allowing a league-fewest 35 goals.
However, I can’t help but feel that Wagner has been the strongest defensive presence in the back line. His 71 tackles-won and 45 blocked passes were the highest in the league, and his 43 successful challenges were fourth overall. Amazingly enough, he did this while getting 10 assists to his name and 12 overall contributions.
The worry was that Philadelphia was taking a major step back by letting Jack Elliott go to Chicago. Now, the worry might be that there is no viable replacement for Wagner if he ever decided to take on other challenges.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“I’d lean Jakob Glesnes. Here’s why:
- Defense is as much about preventing problems as making plays; the Union’s strong defensive numbers (few goals conceded) indicate he’s doing both.
- His leadership and consistency over many matches gives him an edge, especially over younger defenders whose stats might pop in shorter bursts.
- He also contributes offensively (goals/assists) which helps, but his value in organizing the backline and reliability is what I’d weigh heavily.”
Verdict: Okay, the computers weren’t too far off.
Coach of the Year
Jesper Sørensen, Vancouver Whitecaps
It almost amazing to think that this season may have gone in the wrong direction after Vancouver’s first CCC match, a 2-1 loss at Deportivo Saprissa.
Since then, Sorensen’s team has gone hyperspace, collecting 24 wins in 47 matches over all competitions (1.85 ppm). The team’s +28 goal differential is tops in MLS, all while balancing a deep run to the CCC final and a Canadian Championship. The end product may have been a disappointment—a 2-1 red-card-studded loss at home against a warming Dallas squad—but I have to recognize the lengths and depths Vancouver traveled this season.
Yes, getting one of the most potent German goal scorers of all time to land in your lap helps the overall record, but Thomas Müller was just one piece. Considering Vancouver were without one of their designated players (Ryan Gauld) for most of the year, this is a major feat that feels more impressive than what Bradley Carnell did in Philly.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“Why Eric Ramsay (Minnesota United) over the others?
- Overachieving vs. expectation: Minnesota wasn’t necessarily expected to dominate, but Ramsay’s work has made them a serious force.
- Style + results: The way he’s gotten results — disciplined, competitive, with notable wins — gives weight to his candidacy.
- Youth + trajectory: Ramsay is young and building something sustainable. His nomination would feel both earned and forward-looking.”
Verdict: I’m not having it. There’s something missing from Ramsay’s results. Mikey Varas (San Diego) and Carnell were hard to pass in the first place; Minnesota’s late-season swoon didn’t help. If we’re looking at Ramsay for Coach of the Year, you’d have to also consider Pat Noonan over everyone in the East, and that’s likely not to happen.
No offense, Coach.
Photo by Brian Mack
MVP
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
This one is going to hurt a bit, because the choice shouldn’t be this obvious or easy to admit. Last year, we weren’t happy about the outcome, but the competition didn’t quite live up to standards.
That broken clock has to be right twice a day. Messi is going to be your 2025 Major League Soccer MVP, and with all of the talent afforded around him underperforming, it shouldn’t be close.
In 2024, fans probably weren’t happy with the gift-wrapped award. Messi won the MVP despite his injuries and less time on the pitch. This year, the numbers favor Messi.
I feel I need to preface my choice with a major caveat. If a serious coach was pulling the strings and the front office knew it needed a strong backline, this Inter Miami team would be setting bigger records and winning awards it couldn’t win last year. It would be destroying the points record it set in 2024, and Messi would be miles ahead of his clip this year.
And that crutch in the team chemistry, the hobbled overall composure, is the reason Messi will be winning the MVP award this year. If you had the broken version of Messi from 2024 on this year’s team, Miami would be struggling to make the playoffs. Luis Suarez took a major step backwards, and both Jordi Abla and Sergio Busquets have admitted that they have one foot out the door towards retirement.
This season, Messi’s the best version of himself. His 37 goals over all competitions surpasses the total goals he scored at PSG over two full seasons before arriving at Miami. He scored 29 goals in the regular season, and only one of them was via penalty kick. Messi and Dreyer both lead in assists (19), but Messi’s done it in six fewer games and almost 600 fewer minutes.
Most of all, the 48 combined goals and assists pretty much puts Messi in a rarified MLS stratosphere. Only Carlos Vela’s 49 combined contributions stands higher than Messi’s numbers, and if Vela ran away with the award in 2019, so should Messi.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“I would pick Lionel Messi as the MLS MVP — and here’s why:
- Production: Messi is leading or near the top in goals, assists, and goal contributions per game. He’s been directly involved in a massive percentage of Inter Miami’s goals.
- Impact: When he plays, Inter Miami dominates; when he’s absent, they often struggle. His presence transforms the team.
- Big Moments: Clutch goals, viral plays, and game-winning performances — Messi has decided games, not just participated in them.
- Narrative Value: Voters do care about storylines, and Messi’s full healthy season (unlike 2023 or 2024) would be a compelling arc — global icon fully delivering in MLS.”
Verdict: I mean, ChatGPT’s not programmed to ignore the statistics. (However, it did vote for Cristian Arango and Luciano Acosta as runners-up.)
MLS Best XI
Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)
Defenders: Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jacob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders: Jeppe Tverskov (San Diego FC), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
The explanations for Messi, Dreyer, Wagner, and St. Clair already justify their inclusion. All of them felt like parts of the puzzle that could not be denied.
That aside, the attack was just a little harder to figure out. Sam Surridge (24 goals, 5 assists) had one of the biggest surprise seasons, making it difficult to exclude him, but Bouanga’s 10 goals over the last seven matches of the season was a key contributor. His 2025 numbers (24 goals, 9 assists) were genuinely better than his performance last season (20 goals, 11 assists). His sheer scoring rate over the past three years should make him one of the biggest threats going into the playoffs.
Evander’s combined numbers (18 goals, 15 assists) would normally put him in the hunt for MVP, but the water level was just too high to float above. The rates of contribution by Messi and Dreyer were too significant, and there were too many matches when Evander disappeared. That’s not going to happen to an MVP in a season when one needs to be consistent.
The midfield is unfortunately threadbare after that. Martin Ojeda (Orlando) and Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago) were both considered forwards in voting. To fill out the lineup, I rolled with two defensive midfielders who couldn’t be separated. Tverskov led the league in interceptions (68) and was one of the best to win tackles (47 out of 65) in the defensive and middle thirds of the pitch. Roldan led the league in middle-third tackles (45) and was one of the best to challenge dribblers and take possessions away (49 out of 87), second only to Sergio Busquets (Miami). Both midfielders were also in the Top 7 in progressive passes, numbers that just added to the benefits.
Blackmon and Najar were my “purely for vibes” picks. Both improved their defenses immensely, and Najar’s seven assists were essential to getting Nashville over the line this season. There are arguments for Adilson Malanda (Charlotte), Sergi Palencia (LAFC), Andrew Gutman (Chicago), and Jack Elliott (Chicago), but my picks are locked in.
ChatGPT’s pick:
Verdict: You could make solid arguments for Miles Robinson, Biel, Berhalter, and Takaoka. Brian White (16 goals, 1 assist in 21 appearances) might be a tightrope-walk of a pick. Still, while Vancouver had a great season, it’s hard to justify four of the slots for the Whitecaps.
But Walker Zimmerman wasn’t even the best defender on his squad this year. Jeisson Palacios led in almost all defensive actions on Nashville SC. Perhaps someone mixed up a USMNT Best XI in the program.
I think I’ve made my point. The humans win over the robots every time (this time).
It has been an honor to be offered a ballot for superlatives at the end of another bustling MLS season. I don’t think we want to toot our own horn here at CST, but being recognized as a prized local outlet in this manner makes the venture worth it. I hope I can speak on behalf of the entire staff when I say that it’s humbling and motivational.
However, at the same time, it’s also unnerving to see that less coverage is being left to the minds and fingers of your diligent soccer writers. Laurel Pfahler‘s open letter to MLS over the past week should open eyes on how soccer coverage needs to expand in 2026. If the World Cup is going to be presented globally, there needs to be more cooperation between the media and the league to present it openly and logically.
That doesn’t mean we need to increase it quantitatively. This month, the soccer robots took over, as people came to the realization that MLSsoccer.com has started to produce write-ups and results based on A.I. scripts. Even Inter Miami CF match coverage, which is usually big enough to get actual real-time commentary on FOTMOB, was left to the bots.
In the end, is it now worth it to provide thoughts on my votes for the 2025 MLS end-of-year awards? Do people care if a human being eschews his or her thoughts about the talent on the pitch? Would the general public rather have invested focus on performance by the human mind, or would they want ChatGPT to belch out the odds on who will win the MVP award?
Of course, let’s also keep in mind that ChatGPT is powered by the hypnosis of suggestion. It gives the vibes from all of the information it consumes, not the statistics behind the picks. It won’t give you an answer for these categories, only the ones that it would recommend based on what others have written.
Let’s see if you guys want that. I’m putting my picks to paper alongside who ChatGPT wants me to pick. After that, I’m never using ChatGPT ever again.
Referee of the Year
Allan Chapman
Let’s not go to artificial intelligence on getting this vote right. The referee’s job is an imperfect and thankless enough; the last thing we need to do is ask the ether which referee it likes best.
Chapman is one of three referees who have covered the most matches (26) in MLS this season, and it feels his work has been fair and low on card distribution (86 yellow cards). Surprisingly, he has called nine penalty kicks, fourth highest in the league, but has given only two red cards.
Between himself and the other two candidates (Drew Fischer and Guido Gonzalez Jr.—yes, that guy), Chapman seemed to have the general vibe that his games have been relatively fair. Again, it’s a thankless job, so it just doesn’t feel right to overanalyze the pick, let alone bring in A.I. to swing the selection.
Photo by Megan Lee
Comeback Player of the Year
Nick Hagglund, FC Cincinnati
Full disclosure: I already voted for Pablo Ruiz from RSL after the fact. Ruiz’s turnaround was significant to the point that he provided 21 starts in 27 appearances for Real Salt Lake and three quality games in the Leagues Cup, compiling two goals in the process.
However, for the sake of making this article feel a bit better in the pit of my stomach, I’m switching to Hagglund after the buzzer went off. A broken fibula and ankle ligament reconstruction in 2024 is one thing, but a punctured lung in 2025 just added to his legendary status locally. The goal and assist in the final match of the season makes my missed choice heavier in my gut.
Newcomer of the Year
Anders Dreyer, San Diego FC
The silly transfer season has been even sillier in 2025, as MLS cracked $335 million in transfer fees this season. The highest transfer mark was broken three times in one calendar year, with FC Cincinnati, Atlanta United, and LAFC splashing $16.3, $22, and $26 million for their big DP signings, respectively.
However, none of those three names are anywhere near my ballot box—Kevin Denkey has been above average in his production, but not seismic. Son Heung-Min hasn’t had enough time to be a smash in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Emmanuel Latte Lath did not score for the last three months in Atlanta.
Had he been signed earlier, Son (9 goals, 3 assists in 10 matches) probably would have run away with the award, due to his immediate impact and sheer presence in turning LAFC into a late-charging locomotive. Had the prize been given to a player that turned a team around from last year’s doldrums, Philip Zinckernagel (15 goals, 15 assists) would be a shoo-in after Chicago’s big surge into the playoff run.
Still, this award has been Dreyer’s since midseason.
Many of us were expecting the Dane’s performance to pale in comparison to other MVP candidates (and we’ll get to that in due time), but his 38 combined scoring contributions (19 goals, 19 assists) are second in the league. In addition, his 81% passing rate and 17% shot conversion rate are on par with other MVP candidates.
Most of all, Dreyer has been an iron horse for San Diego FC. Of all non-goalkeepers that have touched a blade of grass for their MLS squad this season, Dreyer is third in total minutes played (3,022). He has started every match for SDFC and has been an essential leader in San Diego’s record-setting inaugural year. There is no comparison.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“If I had to choose one who looks most likely to win ‘best newcomer’ for the season (so far), I’d lean Emmanuel Latte Lath. The combination of his transfer fee, expectations, and immediate impact (including multiple goals right away) makes him a strong frontrunner.”
Verdict: lol
Photo by Anders Saling
Young Player of the Year
Alex Freeman, Orlando City SC
While Freeman hadn’t gotten much time with the first team in Orlando since signing a homegrown deal in 2022, he did collect 12 goals and 15 assists over three years with Orlando City B. His jump to the first team has produced some solid numbers in 2025. The 21-year-old has become a staple at left back, scoring six goals and two assists in 29 appearances.
More impressively, his numbers led to his first MLS All-Star nod and inclusion into the USMNT main roster, already starting matches in this year’s CONCACAF Gold Cup, compiling eight starts in 10 appearances.
Sure, the voting shouldn’t include any non-MLS stats, but Freeman opened my eyes further than Vargas did.
ChatGPT’s pick:
Flat out, ChatGPT looked off the paper under the “22 Under 22” list provided by MLSsoccer.com and blurted out its pick.
“If I were making a ballot, I’d vote Seattle’s Obed Vargas #1. If you want, I can list a full top-5 or top-10 under-22s and we can argue pros/cons for each?”
Verdict: Not a bad pick, but you cheated off someone’s paper, dude.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Dayne St. Clair, Minnesota United FC
As much as the clean sheet count has increased this season (248 clean sheets compared to 237 in 2024), this year has not felt like a year where one goalkeeper has dominated. While the likes of Yohei Takaoka of Vancouver and Hugo Lloris of LAFC have led the league in clean sheets, neither seem to be their team’s MVP, thanks to their clubs potent offenses. Kristijan Kahlina of Charlotte made a very good run in the end, but I decided to look deeper in the numbers and settled on Minnesota United’s St. Clair.
“Settling” makes it sound like I didn’t want this pick, but the Canadian dynamo was miles better than the field. St. Clair’s 78.9% save percentage was almost five percentage points ahead of the next keeper with more than 20 starts (Brad Stuver at Austin). His 1.0 GA per 90 was second only to Philadelphia’s Andre Blake (who managed to get 21 starts this season).
Most of all, his 114 saves were not only fourth in the league, but his goals prevented (6.71) were third in the league behind Toronto’s Sean Johnson and Kahlina. St. Clair wasn’t just making saves; he was keeping Minnesota in games they should have lost.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“If I were selecting Goalkeeper of the Year 2025, I’d lean Yohei Takaoka. He leads (or is among leaders) in shutouts, which is a major visible stat for goalkeepers. His consistency across many matches gives him a volume plus quality combination. While metrics like ‘goals prevented above expectation’ help, the shutouts and reliability are harder to argue against.”
Verdict: You know, these are good arguments, but Takaoka’s not who rescued the Whitecaps this season.
(AP Photo/Chris Szagola, File)
Defender of the Year
Kai Wagner, Philadelphia Union
Arguably, anyone on the Philadelphia Union’s back line could have taken this spot. Nathan Harriel led the league in interceptions per 90. Jakob Glesnes and Olwethu Makhanya were one of the strongest center-back pairings in the league, allowing a league-fewest 35 goals.
However, I can’t help but feel that Wagner has been the strongest defensive presence in the back line. His 71 tackles-won and 45 blocked passes were the highest in the league, and his 43 successful challenges were fourth overall. Amazingly enough, he did this while getting 10 assists to his name and 12 overall contributions.
The worry was that Philadelphia was taking a major step back by letting Jack Elliott go to Chicago. Now, the worry might be that there is no viable replacement for Wagner if he ever decided to take on other challenges.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“I’d lean Jakob Glesnes. Here’s why:
Verdict: Okay, the computers weren’t too far off.
Coach of the Year
Jesper Sørensen, Vancouver Whitecaps
It almost amazing to think that this season may have gone in the wrong direction after Vancouver’s first CCC match, a 2-1 loss at Deportivo Saprissa.
Since then, Sorensen’s team has gone hyperspace, collecting 24 wins in 47 matches over all competitions (1.85 ppm). The team’s +28 goal differential is tops in MLS, all while balancing a deep run to the CCC final and a Canadian Championship. The end product may have been a disappointment—a 2-1 red-card-studded loss at home against a warming Dallas squad—but I have to recognize the lengths and depths Vancouver traveled this season.
Yes, getting one of the most potent German goal scorers of all time to land in your lap helps the overall record, but Thomas Müller was just one piece. Considering Vancouver were without one of their designated players (Ryan Gauld) for most of the year, this is a major feat that feels more impressive than what Bradley Carnell did in Philly.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“Why Eric Ramsay (Minnesota United) over the others?
Verdict: I’m not having it. There’s something missing from Ramsay’s results. Mikey Varas (San Diego) and Carnell were hard to pass in the first place; Minnesota’s late-season swoon didn’t help. If we’re looking at Ramsay for Coach of the Year, you’d have to also consider Pat Noonan over everyone in the East, and that’s likely not to happen.
No offense, Coach.
Photo by Brian Mack
MVP
Lionel Messi, Inter Miami CF
This one is going to hurt a bit, because the choice shouldn’t be this obvious or easy to admit. Last year, we weren’t happy about the outcome, but the competition didn’t quite live up to standards.
That broken clock has to be right twice a day. Messi is going to be your 2025 Major League Soccer MVP, and with all of the talent afforded around him underperforming, it shouldn’t be close.
In 2024, fans probably weren’t happy with the gift-wrapped award. Messi won the MVP despite his injuries and less time on the pitch. This year, the numbers favor Messi.
I feel I need to preface my choice with a major caveat. If a serious coach was pulling the strings and the front office knew it needed a strong backline, this Inter Miami team would be setting bigger records and winning awards it couldn’t win last year. It would be destroying the points record it set in 2024, and Messi would be miles ahead of his clip this year.
And that crutch in the team chemistry, the hobbled overall composure, is the reason Messi will be winning the MVP award this year. If you had the broken version of Messi from 2024 on this year’s team, Miami would be struggling to make the playoffs. Luis Suarez took a major step backwards, and both Jordi Abla and Sergio Busquets have admitted that they have one foot out the door towards retirement.
This season, Messi’s the best version of himself. His 37 goals over all competitions surpasses the total goals he scored at PSG over two full seasons before arriving at Miami. He scored 29 goals in the regular season, and only one of them was via penalty kick. Messi and Dreyer both lead in assists (19), but Messi’s done it in six fewer games and almost 600 fewer minutes.
Most of all, the 48 combined goals and assists pretty much puts Messi in a rarified MLS stratosphere. Only Carlos Vela’s 49 combined contributions stands higher than Messi’s numbers, and if Vela ran away with the award in 2019, so should Messi.
ChatGPT’s pick:
“I would pick Lionel Messi as the MLS MVP — and here’s why:
Verdict: I mean, ChatGPT’s not programmed to ignore the statistics. (However, it did vote for Cristian Arango and Luciano Acosta as runners-up.)
MLS Best XI
Goalkeeper: Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United)
Defenders: Andy Najar (Nashville SC), Jacob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union), Tristan Blackmon (Vancouver Whitecaps), Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)
Midfielders: Jeppe Tverskov (San Diego FC), Evander (FC Cincinnati), Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders)
Forwards: Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC), Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF), Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
The explanations for Messi, Dreyer, Wagner, and St. Clair already justify their inclusion. All of them felt like parts of the puzzle that could not be denied.
That aside, the attack was just a little harder to figure out. Sam Surridge (24 goals, 5 assists) had one of the biggest surprise seasons, making it difficult to exclude him, but Bouanga’s 10 goals over the last seven matches of the season was a key contributor. His 2025 numbers (24 goals, 9 assists) were genuinely better than his performance last season (20 goals, 11 assists). His sheer scoring rate over the past three years should make him one of the biggest threats going into the playoffs.
Evander’s combined numbers (18 goals, 15 assists) would normally put him in the hunt for MVP, but the water level was just too high to float above. The rates of contribution by Messi and Dreyer were too significant, and there were too many matches when Evander disappeared. That’s not going to happen to an MVP in a season when one needs to be consistent.
The midfield is unfortunately threadbare after that. Martin Ojeda (Orlando) and Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago) were both considered forwards in voting. To fill out the lineup, I rolled with two defensive midfielders who couldn’t be separated. Tverskov led the league in interceptions (68) and was one of the best to win tackles (47 out of 65) in the defensive and middle thirds of the pitch. Roldan led the league in middle-third tackles (45) and was one of the best to challenge dribblers and take possessions away (49 out of 87), second only to Sergio Busquets (Miami). Both midfielders were also in the Top 7 in progressive passes, numbers that just added to the benefits.
Blackmon and Najar were my “purely for vibes” picks. Both improved their defenses immensely, and Najar’s seven assists were essential to getting Nashville over the line this season. There are arguments for Adilson Malanda (Charlotte), Sergi Palencia (LAFC), Andrew Gutman (Chicago), and Jack Elliott (Chicago), but my picks are locked in.
ChatGPT’s pick:
Verdict: You could make solid arguments for Miles Robinson, Biel, Berhalter, and Takaoka. Brian White (16 goals, 1 assist in 21 appearances) might be a tightrope-walk of a pick. Still, while Vancouver had a great season, it’s hard to justify four of the slots for the Whitecaps.
But Walker Zimmerman wasn’t even the best defender on his squad this year. Jeisson Palacios led in almost all defensive actions on Nashville SC. Perhaps someone mixed up a USMNT Best XI in the program.
I think I’ve made my point. The humans win over the robots every time (this time).
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