It’s that time of year again.
The Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs are almost here, and voting for MLS's Year-End Awards is now open.
While a few regular-season games remain for a final push – and some categories could go right down to the wire – I’ve seen enough to make my picks.
Here are my leading contenders for the league’s highest individual honors.
Landon Donovan MLS MVP
Honorable mentions: Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Petar Musa (FC Dallas)
Yeah, I know. Some of you would prefer I say something different, but there’s no escaping the reality: It would be stupid of me not to pick Messi to three-peat.
With 25g/15a and four games to play, Messi is five goals clear in the Golden Boot race and joint-top in assists with Son Heung-Min. He’s recorded at least one goal contribution in Inter Miami’s last 13 matches, and thanks to him, the defending MLS Cup champions are rounding into form ahead of the playoffs with three straight wins.
What’s even scarier than the incredible numbers is the ferocity Messi showed in last weekend’s 3-1 win at Atlanta United. He clearly remembered his run-in with Júnior Alonso in the sides’ previous meeting, going above and beyond to dice up the Atlanta defender on the dribble as he notched his brace. He looks motivated, that’s for sure.
It felt almost like a rebirth. Messi just retired from the Argentina national team after leading them to another FIFA World Cup final, notching performances so superb that he’s back in the Ballon d’Or mix at 39 years young. Now all his focus is on Miami and their title defense. My advice to the rest of the league: Watch out.
It’s only fair to shout out Hany Mukhtar here as well. He's been the most productive attacker (16g/8a) as Nashville SC cruise to the Supporters’ Shield, and the 2022 MVP recently scoring the 100th goal of his MLS career underlines how good he's been for so long.
I’ve also got love for Petar Musa, who ranks second in the Golden Boot race with 20 goals. He's put FC Dallas – one of the surprise teams in the Western Conference – on his back.
Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year
Honorable mentions: Yoann Damet (St. Louis CITY SC), Ryan Richter (Philadelphia Union)
First things first, Nashville SC's B.J. Callaghan is likely to win. It'll be really hard to vote against the likely Supporters' Shield winners and a team that might set the single-season points record. It's been such a special season in Nashville.
But I debated this award with my MLS 360 colleague Sacha Kljestan the other night, and he argued against voting for Philadelphia's Ryan Richter. The argument was that Richter's only led the club since late May, and he doesn't have the volume of games compared to other candidates.Â
I disagree. It's all about impact and, my gracious, what Richter’s done with Philly is truly incredible. The Union still haven’t lost a league game on his watch, going 12W-0L-3D to climb from the Eastern Conference basement into the playoff places as Cavan Sullivan, Neil Pierre and Milan Iloski find new levels of performance.
A similar story continues to unfold with St. Louis. Yoann Damet has guided CITY SC on a record-breaking run up the standings and into the US Open Cup final despite being the league’s youngest head coach, all in his first year as a No. 1.
If Nashville weren't so dominant, if their home form wasn’t so impeccable (14W-0L-1D at GEODIS Park), if they were stumbling to the finish line instead of motoring… Richter or Damet might get my vote.
But it’s got to be Callaghan.
He’s transformed Nashville – from the team that once sat back defensively and relied on Mukhtar to conjure magic, into one that methodically controls matches and dominates opponents. Callaghan has coached up many of their individuals, drawing genuine improvement from under-the-radar players like Eddi Tagseth and Matthew Corcoran, and he’s also added to Mukhtar’s game, helping him be more well-rounded.
Now add in Sam Surridge’s goals and the clever deployment of key pieces like Andy Nájar and genius winter signing Cristian Espinoza. Callaghan’s recipe has Nashville 12 points clear atop the league table, and it makes him the Coach of the Year favorite.
Newcomer of the Year
Honorable mention: Antoine Griezmann (Orlando City)
Initially, I thought this award had to be Antoine Griezmann’s. The moment he arrived at Orlando City, it was like a whole different team. You had to put a different level of respect on the Lions.
The Frenchman’s all-around game – not only goals and assists, but tracking back defensively, even making tackles in his own penalty box, and his ability to elevate players around him – is superb. I suspect we’ll have him right in the MVP conversation next year.
Then I realized: I’m falling prey to recency bias. Though Griezmann’s a big name who made a big splash, he’s only been around since midsummer. Meanwhile, Guilherme has been doing the business all season long for Houston Dynamo FC.
With 16g/10a in his first season in MLS, the Brazilian attacker has produced more than 60% of his side’s goals in the league thus far. And he's added needed intensity to their game, as someone who can both stretch the field and get on the ball and create something out of nothing, not to mention being a committed defensive presence.
Grizi’s numbers and name recognition will bring in plenty of votes. Guilherme is the most deserving candidate.
Young Player of the Year
Honorable mentions: Julian Hall (Red Bull New York), Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York), Ronald Donkor (Red Bull New York), Justin Ellis (Orlando City)
What a breakout year it’s been for young talent in MLS. There are so, so many of them I rate highly, but Cavan Sullivan’s got to be at the top of the list.
As an assistant on Red Bull New York’s second team, I coached against Cavan in MLS NEXT Pro. With all the massive hype around him, I’ve been trying to tell everyone to calm down and take it slow. Yes, he's got ideas. He's brave. He's fearless, but let's let him do something.
Boy, has he stepped up.
Cavan’s ability in the final third, his confidence to take the ball and ask questions of a backline and combine with his teammates, it's really fun to watch. I worried his size might hinder him, but he more than makes up for it with bravery and intensity. He’s been brilliant, and his future is so bright.
I’m also a big, big fan of Justin Ellis. I just wish he had played more for Orlando this year. And I’ve got to shout out the RBNY trio of Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti and Ronald Donkor, three of the league’s brightest youngsters and key pieces in a playoff-chasing squad.
Yes, that’s three Red Bull players, and some of you will say, ‘This guy's so biased.’ But they’re the types of players I like. Donkor often gets overlooked, even as he's blossomed into an excellent two-way central midfielder.
Defender of the Year
Honorable mentions: Mbekezeli Mbokazi (Chicago Fire FC), Neil Pierre (Neil Pierre), Henry Kessler (Charlotte FC)
Maxwell Woledzi helped Nashville reach another level this season. The Ghanaian’s strength, energy and passing range have anchored the league’s best defense, and he’s chipped in the odd goal or two as well. That’s a common recipe for Defender of the Year.
We’ve already discussed Philadelphia’s resurgence, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they’re undefeated in MLS since Neil Pierre stepped into the starting XI.
Chicago’s Mbekezeli Mbokazi is class, but he missed a lot of action due to an injury after the World Cup. If you’re looking for an under-the-radar pick, I rate Henry Kessler. He's been really strong since winning a starting role at Charlotte FC.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Honorable mentions: Maxime Crépeau, Matt Turner
I won't get into a big debate on goalkeepers, because it’s not my expertise. I just know when I'm on MLS 360, I see Brian Schwake making big saves and backstopping his team towards the Supporters' Shield. Then he was strong in his first stint with the USMNT during the FIFA international window.
Matt Turner has been excellent for New England, too, and while Orlando’s leaky defense is on pace to break the MLS record for most goals allowed, Maxime Crépeau has actually played quite well since the World Cup. But Nashville top the table, and Schwake leads the league in goals conceded and co-leads in clean sheets.
Comeback Player of the Year
I won’t deny having a soft spot for my old Red Bulls teammate, but you have to tip your cap to Aaron Long.
The man worked his way through a painstaking nine-month recovery from a ruptured left Achilles tendon suffered last summer – the very same injury he suffered on his right leg five years ago – to return to an LAFC side that carries high expectations under a harsh spotlight.
Plus, with a career-high five assists in 15 matches, Long's passing might be better than ever.
