The Major League Soccer Year End Award is around the corner for 2024, to honour the standout performers of the ongoing season in the league phase. The MLS league phase has been concluded with the top seven teams with the most points in both the Eastern and Western conference MLS points table cementing their place in the MLS Playoff rounds, while 8th and 9th place sides fought for the two remaining spots to complete the 16 teams Play off fixtures.
Lionel Messi led Inter Miami to top the Eastern Conference following a record-breaking 74 points haul in 34 games (highest ever) in the league phase, while, Los Angeles FC were the table toppers in the West zone. At the end of every, regular season MLS awards Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award to the best player in the entire league campaign. the MVP winner will revealed during the Audi MLS Cup Playoff 2024.
MLS has announced the names of the top five finalists who will be competing for the MLS MVP 2024 honour on Thursday. In addition, nominees for several other categories were also unveiled such as Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year, MLS Defender of the Year, MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, MLS Young Player of the Year and more. With that, let’s find out who are finalist for this year’s MLS MVP accolade courtesy of their performance in the regular campaign.
Finalists for Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award
| Player | Age | Club | Country |
| Christian Benteke | 33 | DC United | Belgium |
| Luis Suarez | 37 | Inter Miami | Uruguay |
| Lionel Messi | 37 | Inter Miami | Argentina |
| Cucho Hernández | 25 | Columbus Crew | Colombia |
| Evander | 26 | Portland Timbers | Brazil |
Christian Benteke (DC United)
The former Premier claimed the MLS Golden Boot accolade smashing 23 goals in the regular season in 30 appearances for DC United to become the MLS 2024 top goal scorer surpassing the evergreen duo Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez. Despite, his brilliant individual campaign his club failed to make it through to the next round after finishing in the 10th position narrowly missing out on the Playoff qualifiers due to poor goal differences in comparison to the 9th-finished Atalanta United.
Luis Suarez (Inter Miami)
The Uruguay icon, Suarez recently announced his retirement from international football at 37, but continues to display his art of scoring goals for Inter Miami in the league campaign. He had joined the stateside club earlier this year, from Gremio to reunite with his former Barcelona teammates and buddies Lionel Messi, Jordi Alaba and Sergio Busquets. The striker has netted 21 goals and assisted 9 times in a total of 27 league games and helped Miami to achieve the first position and qualify for MLS Playoffs that too recording the highest points ever in history.
Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
Inter Miami’s talisman Lionel Messi is the next nomination for the Landon Donovan MVP Award 2024, his impact on the club and the league itself is enormous attracting massive attention to the league. The Eight-time Ballon Dor Awardee has been exceptional with his on-pitch outings as well despite injury woes that kept him on the sidelines, this season. The former Barca forward was involved in significant 30 goals involvement. Messi racked up 20 goals and recorded 10 assists that too in just 19 appearances, hence, he is one of the leading candidates for the prize.
Also Read: Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami to play 2025 FIFA Club World Cup
Cucho Hernández (Columbus Crew)
The 25-year-old forward played a key role in Columbus Crew’s impressive second-position finish on the points table in the East zone, with 66 points tally. Cucho Hernandez bagged a fabulous 19 goals figures and provided 10 assists while playing 27 league games. The Colombian International ranked 5th in the 2024 MLS top goal scorer list and has the best shot to clinch the 2024 MLS MVP honour for his heroics for the Crew. He also scored a sensational hattrick in a 4-0 victory over Kansas City in the league phase.
Evander (Portland Timbers)
The Brazilian playmaker was phenomenal with his creativity and scoring boots, as he finished the regular season as the joint top assist provider alongside Luciano Acosta the current MVP title holder with 15 assists. Evander netted as many goals and played 28 games altogether, his contributions were pivotal in Portland Timbers’ 9th-place finish as they barely managed to qualify for the MLS Playoffs accumulating 47 points in the entire 34 matchweeks. The midfielders Impressively started 27 games out total 28 appearances for the club.
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