Time to shed some tears as the MLS season comes to an end. There was plenty of drama, rising stars, standout goal-scorers, and plenty more to look back on for now.
Upon the expiration of the 2025 campaign, OneFootball’s North American editors delivered their verdict on some of the biggest awards.
Player of the Year
📸 Alex Slitz – 2025 Getty Images
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Adam Booker: Lionel Messi. You just can’t argue with 29 goals and 19 assists in the regular season, plus he lead Miami to the club’s first ever MLS Cup to boot.
Andrew Thompson: Before Decision Day, I had it down as Anders Dreyer. However, after his performance against Nashville to close out the regular season campaign, and inevitable postseason scorcher, it really does have to be Lionel Messi.
Dylan Krain: Lionel Messi. 48 goal contributions in 28 regular season matches is simply outrageous. Hard to imagine where Miami would be without him.
Goalkeeper of the Year
📸 Kevork Djansezian – 2025 Getty Images
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Adam Booker: Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps)
Andrew Thompson: Brad Stuver (Austin FC)
Dylan Krain: Andre Blake (Philadelphia Union)
Best Young Player (22 or younger)
📸 Jay Biggerstaff – 2025 Getty Images
Adam Booker: Owen Wolff (Austin FC)
Andrew Thompson: Idan Toklomati (Charlotte FC)
Dylan Krain: Luca Bombino (San Diego FC)
Coach of the Year
📸 Steph Chambers – 2025 Getty Images
Adam Booker: Jesper Sørensen. The Whitecaps have been revolutionized by the Dane, and they were oh-so-close to pulling off a stunning MLS Cup upset.
Andrew Thompson: Mikey Varas. Sørensen has been sublime, but this is Varas’ first head coaching role at club level, and you wouldn’t know it by watching his San Diego side.
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Dylan Krain: Jesper Sørensen. Questions were asked when Vancouver parted ways with fan-favourite head coach Vanni Sartini – it’s safe to say Sørensen answered those questions.
Newcomer of the Year
📸 Rich Lam – 2025 Getty Images
Adam Booker: Anders Dreyer. He will likely come up just short for MVP behind Messi, but the Dane set the league alight in his debut campaign with San Diego.
Andrew Thompson: Son Heung-min. The form LAFC discovered when the South Korean legend arrived speaks for itself (zero losses since he turned up in SoCal).
Dylan Krain: Anders Dreyer. In eight months, he’s gone from a newcomer at an expansion club to one of the league’s best players on one of the league’s best teams.
Most Disappointing Team
📸 Leonardo Fernandez – 2025 Getty Images
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Adam Booker: It’s pretty difficult to look anywhere but Atlanta. The Five Stripes came into the season with high hopes after a major spending spree and fell flat on their faces.
Andrew Thompson: Atlanta. Despite acquiring Emmanuel Latte Lath, welcoming back Miguel Almirón, and adding Steven Alzate, Ronny Deila’s troops have been shocking in all departments.
Dylan Krain: LA Galaxy. It took the defending MLS Cup champions 17 league games to get their first win, by which time their playoff hopes had all but vanished.
📸 Elsa – 2025 Getty Images
