MLS Weekend Recap:MLS Weekly Awards

Here I’ll be putting a weekly update on my MVP ladder giving my top couple of players in the MVP race. This ranking might change weekly, it might not. There’s been a lot of players who have played at an MVP level so far this season, but let’s jump in at the top:

MLS MVP Ladder

1. MF Djordje Mihailovic (CF Montreal)=7 goals, 4 assists, 83.4 passing %, 22 key passes, 13 tackles won=you’ll be hard-pressed to find a player who is more crucial to his team’s success than Mihailovic is (which is why he’s #1 on my list). He’s a big time goal scorer out of the midfield, and Monteal’s offense seemingly runs through his passing ability.
2. F Jesus Ferreira (FC Dallas)=9 goals, 4 assists, 74.7 passing %, 17 key passes, 8 tackles won= Ferreira has been the best striker in MLS this season. He has played his way into the USMNT discussion and has been prolific for one of the top teams in the West. He has been a major reason that Dallas has a top 10 offense in the league this year and is 4th in the West.
3. F Sebastian Driussi (Austin FC)=8 goals, 4 assists, 80.2 passing %, 16 key passes, 11 tackles won. Driussi has cooled off recently (just 1 goal and 1 assist in last 6 matches) which is why he’s likely slipped some on many people’s ballots, but his overall numbers are still very strong. He’s one of the main reasons Austin is in position right now to host in the first round, and they’re only 3 points back in the Supporter’s Shield race.
4. MF Carles Gil (New England Revolution)=4 goals, 8 assists, 81.9 passing %, 49 key passes, 1 tackle won=the reigning league MVP. Gil has once again been one of the best players, and arguably the most potent passer in the league. One of the only things holding Gil back right now is that New England is tied for 5th in the East in raw points and just 6th in terms of points per match. It will also be interesting to see how losing Adam Buksa in front of him hurts Gil’s numbers.
5. MF Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)=6 goals, 5 assists, 80.1 passing %, 26 key passes, 3 tackles won=There’s only two players in MLS right now who have at least five goals and five assists, and one of them is Hany Mukhtar. Mukhtar was a finalist for MLS MVP last season and he’s on his way to potentially being there again this year. 58% of Nashville’s goals this year have been either scored or assisted by Mukhtar this season. Much like Gil, one of the things that might hold Mukhtar back is that Nashville is just 6th in the West.
6. MF Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)=5 goals, 6 assists, 73.7 passing %, 44 key passes, 19 tackles won=Speaking of the other guy with at least five goals and five assists this season. Acosta is also 2nd in the league in key passes, trailing only Gil. Cincinnati is currently outside the playoff picture which can be a major issue in Acosta’s MVP candidacy. It’s difficult seeing someone win the MVP award if his team misses the playoffs. However, if Cincy makes it then much of that will be because of Acosta.

That’s the first edition of my weekly MLS awards. Look forward to bringing you these awards throughout the season!