By James Nalton
Goalkeeper: Kristijan Kahlina, Charlotte FC (7.18 FotMob ranking)
There was one apparent standout goalkeeper in MLS this season: Charlotte’s Kristijan Kahlina.
The Croatian topped the charts for the objectives prevented stat by a ways, forward of Matt Freese who nonetheless deserves a point out for his performances with New York Metropolis this season.
This extra superior stat, primarily based on xGOT confronted, is linked to anticipated objectives and assigns a quantity between zero and one to every shot on course confronted primarily based on its probability of discovering the web.
The variety of objectives conceded is then subtracted from the full xGOT confronted to offer an thought of what number of pictures a goalkeeper is saving that they may not be anticipated to — therefore “objectives prevented”.
Kahlina additionally topped extra conventional goalkeeping metrics equivalent to save proportion (76%) and clear sheets (13) despite the fact that the latter is extra of a staff defensive stat.
The Charlotte goalkeeper was named Goalkeeper of the 12 months on this yr’s MLS awards, receiving 35% of the votes. If something, it’s stunning this proportion wasn’t larger.
Proper-back: Steven Moreira, Columbus Crew (6.96)
Moreira was named Defender of the 12 months for his performances on the fitting of the Crew’s again three.
Although this implies he’s classed as a centre-back, his job is as a lot about what Columbus does with the ball as it’s defending with out it.
Taking part in right-back for a lot of his profession earlier than becoming a member of the Crew has helped his adaptation to this pretty particular position.
One may think about him taking part in successfully as a right-back in a again 4 who additionally contributes to build-up play, as he’ll do in our imaginary XI.
Centre-back: Yeimar Gómez, Seattle Sounders (7.29)
In terms of pure defensive work, Yeimar stays among the best central defenders in MLS.
Seattle conceded the fewest objectives within the league through the 2024 season, and Yeimar’s partnership with Jackson Ragen in the midst of the Sounders’ backline performed an enormous half in that.
His proactive defending additionally takes some burden off the midfield, and he led MLS for interceptions in 2024 with 63.
Centre-back: Miles Robinson: FC Cincinnati (7.05)
Robinson has performed as a part of a again three for Cincinnati this season, and confirmed he’s nonetheless among the many most extremely regarded centre-backs within the league even whereas not being at his best possible.
Robinson ranks effectively in FotMob’s season efficiency knowledge for duels, each from tackling and aerial capability.
Cincinnati had the third finest defence within the Jap Convention behind the already talked about Charlotte and Columbus.
Left-back: Jordi Alba, Inter Miami (7.54)
Alba’s availability and consistency made him one of many extra dependable members of Inter Miami’s star solid.
He was third within the staff for complete minutes performed and completed the season having scored 5 objectives and made 11 assists.
His retirement from worldwide responsibility in 2023 elevated his availability in a league which performs by worldwide breaks and he performed an enormous position in his staff’s record-breaking common season.
Defensive midfielder: Sergio Busquets, Inter Miami (7.35)
Busquets, like Alba, was one of many strongholds of this Supporters’ Protect-winning Inter Miami season.
There was the odd shaky second because the defensive aspect of Inter Miami’s staff was usually left within the lurch by the comprehensible concentrate on assault, however general he was a gentle, essential presence.
A mix of defensive nous and link-up play in possession meant he was usually the participant that made the entire thing work for Miami.
Midfielder: Riqui Puig, LA Galaxy (8.17)
The veneration of Puig through the MLS Cup closing confirmed how essential he has been to LA Galaxy this season, regardless of an ACL damage preserving him out of the MLS Cup closing itself.
The Spaniard is the perfect footballer within the league not named Messi, and has been instrumental in LA Galaxy’s turnaround this season, orchestrating their play from midfield.
Attacking midfielder: Ryan Gauld, Vancouver Whitecaps (7.79)
The outgoing Whitecaps head coach Vanni Sartini as soon as stated of Gauld: “Within the final 5, 6, 7 video games he’s virtually MVP degree. Another guys are extra flashy, possibly. He’s what I name a working-class DP.”
It sums up Gauld’s contributions in Vancouver the place he has at all times been up among the many finest gamers within the league since becoming a member of in 2021.
There was extra of the identical from the Scottish attacker in 2024 as he scored 15 objectives and made 12 assists throughout MLS common season and post-season in 2024 this yr.
Attacking midfielder: Evander, Portland Timbers (8.06)
Regardless of ending fifteenth within the general standings, Portland scored the fourth-most objectives in MLS in 2024, partly as a result of Evander was one of many league’s most efficient attacking gamers.
Solely Luciano Acosta registered extra assists than Evander throughout the common season and playoffs, and solely Messi had extra objectives plus assists mixed within the common season.
Ahead: Lionel Messi, Inter Miami (8.30)
Having missed a big a part of the season by a mixture of damage and worldwide call-ups, there was loads of debate round whether or not Messi had performed sufficient video games to be thought of for the MVP award, however on a per-game foundation, his stats broke MLS information.
He was voted the league’s MVP in 2024 on the again of votes from the media and his fellow gamers, and his stats and performances within the 22 MLS appearances he did make in 2024 make it tough to argue in opposition to them.
Ahead: Cucho Hernández, Columbus Crew (7.85)
Whereas Puig is the second-best footballer within the league after Messi, Cucho has been the second-best participant when it comes to efficiency ranges in 2024, a lot in order that he led the MLS MVP vote amongst technical employees at MLS golf equipment.
His defensive work is nearly as spectacular as his attacking numbers, as he’s among the best within the league at profitable the ball within the attacking third.
He led the league for pictures per 90 in 2024, scored 19 objectives, and made 11 assists.
(Cowl Picture from IMAGO)
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