Lionel Messi is basically unstoppable this season, leading the league in goals and all the advanced stats that MVP voters salivate over. Unless something crazy happens, he’s going home with the award again.
The real question is who’s behind him on the ballot. Here are my top five contenders for second place.
MLS MVP power rankings
1. Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
Bouanga is having the best season of his MLS career, with 23 goals — just one behind Messi in the Golden Boot. He leads the league in penalty goals and his hat tricks and scoring streaks have put him past Carlos Vela as LAFC’s all-time leading scorer.
Since Heung-min Son arrived in August, Bouanga has taken his game to another level, with the two combining for a record 17 consecutive team goals. That instant chemistry has made LAFC one of the most feared attacks in the league and Bouanga the focal point.
MVP voters love a pure scorer, especially one who’s putting up highlight reel moments week in and week out, which is why he’s the closest to Messi on the ballot.
2. Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC)
San Diego’s inaugural season has been all about Anders Dreyer. The Danish playmaker has 15 goals and 16 assists. He’s near the top in “big chances created” too, showing how much of his team’s attack goes through him.
Dreyer has won multiple Player of the Month awards and has become the heartbeat of an expansion team that’s far from an expansion team. His dual threat as scorer and passer makes him one of the most complete attacking players in the league and his story as the face of a brand new franchise gives him an extra edge.
If voters want to look beyond Messi’s goals and go for the all-around player, Dreyer is the one.
3. Evander (FC Cincinnati)
Evander’s value to Cincinnati is that he can do a little of everything. With 15 goals and 15 assists, he’s putting up big numbers in both categories and leading the team in chances created, passes into the box and progressive carries. He has more attacking third touches and progressive actions than any of his teammates, which shows how much of the game goes through him.
When Cincinnati is rolling, Evander is usually the spark and that combination of production and influence makes him a top 5 MVP candidate. His only knock is the occasional dip in form, where both his goals and the team’s results slow down. But when he’s in rhythm, there are few players in MLS who can match his overall impact.
4. Martín Ojeda (Orlando City)
Ojeda isn’t as flashy as the guys above him but he’s built one of the most impressive resumes in MLS this season. 16 goals, 9 assists in league play and over 30 total goal contributions. He broke Orlando’s single-season record for direct involvement and went on a 13-game streak with a goal or assist earlier this year tying the 2nd longest streak in league history.
Ojeda’s consistency has kept Orlando in the playoff hunt and while he may not be making headlines he has the numbers to be top 5.
5. Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
Mukhtar may not be hitting MVP heights like he was a couple years ago but he’s still one of the top attackers in MLS. 16 goals 10 assists this season and still driving Nashville’s attack and leading the team in key metrics like final third carries and penalty area entries.
As a former MVP and Golden Boot winner Mukhtar has the kind of reputation that resonates with voters. So his combination of past accolades and current production keeps him in the conversazion. Even if his ceiling is lower than Bouanga’s or Dreyer’s he’s a proven commodity who rounds out this top 5.