There was thrilling action in the MLS throughout September as the battles for playoff spots in the Western and Eastern Conferences heated up.
Inter Miami failed to win a league game in the calendar month, but their advantage at the summit in the East remains a healthy eleven points over Columbus. Meanwhile, LA Galaxy seized control in the West after winning two of their three matches to open up a six-point advantage over LAFC.
But, who have been some of the standout players in the North American MLS in September?
Evander (Portland Timbers)
Evander deservedly has a place in the top five performers in the MLS for September. The Portland Timbers star was recently named as the official MLS Player of the Month for August and September after leading the competition in terms of goal contributions.
The Brazilian scored four goals and registered five assists as the Timbers climbed into the top nine. Evander also set a new MLS record after registering the third-longest goal-contribution streak in the competition’s history.
His form last month has only echoed his performances throughout the season, taking his overall tally for goals in 2024 to 15 and assists to 14.
11 consecutive games with goal contributions from Evander. 😏
We’re tied in Salt Lake! pic.twitter.com/cw1SDHJ8uW
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) September 22, 2024
Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)
FC Cincinnati will be a major player when the MLS playoffs get underway, and one of their key stars appears to be arriving into the post-season in excellent form. Luciano Acosta has scored 14 times in 31 matches this season, and leads the MLS with 16 assists.
His creative output was once again evident in September after scoring in Cincinnati’s 2-2 draw against Nashville, and recording an assist in an ultimate defeat against LAFC. Across his last four appearances, the Argentinean has scored three goals and recorded one assist.
#MLS Season Leaders, Key Passes:
🇦🇷Luciano Acosta, #AllForCincy 106
🇩🇪Kai Wagner, #DOOP 99
🇪🇸Carles Gil, #NERevs 94
🇦🇷Cristian Espinoza, #Quakes74 90
🇧🇷Evander, #RCTID 88 pic.twitter.com/KsJenxk0Nt— Pedro Rondon (@usasupersoccer) October 7, 2024
Christian Benteke (DC United)
DC United has almost secured a place in the playoffs, but they will need to avoid a heavy defeat on the final day of the regular season. Christian Benteke’s performances have contributed to their upturn in form in 2024.
The former Liverpool striker has effectively dragged his team over the line throughout September, scoring in a win against Chicago, and netting in draws against Columbus and New York City.
While United may ultimately come up short in their quest to win the MLS, they have seen the very best of Benteke in the capital this season.
Christian Benteke. Record breaker. 👏 pic.twitter.com/cl4Vyfsw2a
— D.C. United (@dcunited) October 7, 2024
Riqui Puig (LA Galaxy)
Experience of winning trophies is huge when the playoffs get underway, and LA Galaxy have a star in their midfield in the form of Riqui Puig. The midfielder has been in standout form throughout September, registering two assists and scoring once in a famous 4-2 success over LAFC on September 15.
13 goals & 14 assists on the season 👏
Riqui Puig is having his best season yet and on the verge of securing the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed with @LAGalaxy: https://t.co/vFUh4iFZh8 pic.twitter.com/0VWCNgtjUI
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 4, 2024
His excellent form continued at the end of the month after scoring in the 4-2 win over Vancouver. Puig was once again in starring form at the start of October, registering two goals and two assists in back-to-back wins over Colorado and Austin.
Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders)
38-year-old Stefan Frei has been rolling back the years in the MLS throughout 2024. The Seattle Sounders are on course for a third-place finish in the Western Conference, with much of their success in September being down to the performances of their veteran goalkeeper.
With his 10th clean sheet of the season tonight, Stefan Frei now has recorded five seasons of double-digit shutouts, tied with Nick Rimando for the most in MLS history. He is the only goalkeeper to record each of those five seasons with a single club. pic.twitter.com/Vz3q1UNTWJ
— Kevin Kay (@KevMKay) October 3, 2024
Frei kept three clean sheets in five matches throughout the calendar month and has allowed just three goals in his last seven appearances. His overall tally of 13 clean sheets in 2024 has contributed to the Sounders’ having the best defensive record in the competition. If defences win championships, Seattle isn’t going to be that far away in the MLS this season.
