Ahead of the MLS Cup Playoffs, we take a look at which players performed best, in terms of numbers, during the regular season.
Diego Mayel Ibarradiegoibarra21Roddy ConsRoddyConsEstados UnidosUpdate: Oct 23rd, 2023 08:38 EDT
MICHAEL ZARRILLIAFP
MLS Decision Day 2023 provided the drama we were all hoping for, with Sporting Kansas City and Charlotte FC the main beneficiaries as they sneaked into the MLS Cup Playoffs at the last moment. With the regular season now over, let’s take a quick look back at some of the league’s best performers, most of whom still have plenty left to play for when the post-season action gets underway (the Wild Card round begins on Wednesday 25 October, with Round One starting on Saturday 28 October).
MLS 2023 Golden Boot winner: Denis Bouanga (LAFC)
Denis Bouanga only scored once in seven MLS games after joining Los Angeles FC in 2022 but won the Golden Boot this year thanks to his 20 goals in 31 games. In all competitions, the Gabonese attacker found the net 33 times in 43 appearances.
Put it on a platter all year long. 🍽️ pic.twitter.com/7YQesCw1Ky
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 22, 2023
In the end, the LAFC man topped the scoring charts fairly comfortably, scoring three goals more than FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta and Giorgios Giakoumakis of Atlanta United. Honourable mentions must also go to Columbus Crew forward Juan Camilo ‘Cucho’ Hernández (16 goals), Brian White of Vancouver Whitecaps (15) and Nashville’s Hany Mukhtar (15).
The importance of having a regular goal-getter can be demonstrated by the fact all the teams mentioned above will be taking part in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Most assists in MLS 2023: Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)
As for the creators, World Cup-winning midfielder Thiago Almada led the way for Atlanta, laying on no fewer than 19 goals for his teammates. The Five Stripes were the second highest scorers in the Eastern Conference, with 66 goals.
Mexican midfielder Héctor Herrera of Houston Dynamo was next on 17, with New England’s Carles Gil (15) and Edward Löwen of St. Louis City (14) also close behind.
MLS 2023 MVP: FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta?
A special mention must go to the aforementioned Acosta, who provided 13 assists in addition to scoring 17 goals. His 30 goal contributions were the most of any MLS player (Hernández had 26 and Mukhtar 26). As a result, he is one of the favourites to named this season’s MVP, especially considering FC Cincinnati topped the Eastern Conference and won the Supporters’ Shield.
Brick walls. 🧱 pic.twitter.com/nXKgGoQol3
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 22, 2023
