MLS announces 2023 Year-End Awards finalists

Major League Soccer today announced finalists for the 2023 MLS Year-End Awards, honoring the league’s top performers during the regular season.

Among the finalists are individuals representing 13 MLS clubs, with the winners set to be announced throughout the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati and St. Louis CITY SC are the most represented clubs with finalists in four award categories each.

The below finalists (in alphabetical order) earned the highest average votes from the following groups:

Current MLS first-team players
MLS clubs (coaches, technical directors/general managers)
Select media members representing local and national outlets who consistently covered the 2023 MLS regular season

Nominees: 2023 Year-End Awards

Landon Donovan MLS MVP finalists

Luciano Acosta - FC Cincinnati
Thiago Almada - Atlanta United
Dénis Bouanga - LAFC

Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year finalists

Bradley Carnell - St. Louis CITY SC
Wilfried Nancy - Columbus Crew
Pat Noonan - FC Cincinnati

MLS Newcomer of the Year finalists

For this award, “newcomer” is defined as a player who had previous professional experience and made his MLS debut in 2023.

Giorgos Giakoumakis - Atlanta United
Eduard Löwen - St. Louis CITY SC
Lionel Messi - Inter Miami CF

MLS Young Player of the Year finalists

For this award, any “young player” in MLS who is age 22 or younger during the calendar year is eligible for consideration.

Thiago Almada - Atlanta United
Duncan McGuire - Orlando City SC
Aidan Morris - Columbus Crew

Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year finalists

Roman Bürki - St. Louis CITY SC
Roman Celentano - FC Cincinnati
Pedro Gallese - Orlando City SC

MLS Defender of the Year finalists

Yeimar Gómez Andrade - Seattle Sounders FC
Matt Miazga - FC Cincinnati
Tim Parker - St. Louis CITY SC

MLS Comeback Player of the Year finalists

Honors an MLS player who has overcome a severe injury and/or adversity and, as a result, missed a significant portion of the 2022 season – then shown improved performance to achieve success during the 2023 season.