Major League Soccer is fiercely contested by 29 teams and watched widely by fas worldwide. While the likes of David Beckham, Wayne Rooney, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have graced it in the past, now fans can witness stars such as Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
With the MLS coming to an end and the playoffs on the horizon let’s take a look at the top 5 players of the MLS in October and November 2024:
5. Kristijan Kahlina (Charlotte)
Goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina is among the best players in the MLS, showing his class between the goalposts for Charlotte FC all season. In October and November too, he was at his imperious best and displayed why he is so highly rated by everyone who has seen him play.
Kahlina’s handling and positioning are talked about with a lot of respect by both his colleagues and opponents. The composure he maintains whenever he is put under pressure is another quality that makes him stand out. The Croatian is 6’2” (188 cm) tall, which is ideal for a goalkeeper, and he puts this to good effect in his trade.
Steady, strong and dependable in net. 🫡
Kristijan Kahlina is the 2024 MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. 👏 pic.twitter.com/gF9eTJxd2R
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) November 12, 2024
The 32-year-old was instrumental in helping his team keep three clean sheets in October and November against Orlando City, DC United and CF Montreal. Kahlina is known to guide his defenders from between the goalposts nicely and also give them instructions regarding their marking techniques.
4. Luciano Acosta (Cincinnati)
Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta is first on the list of most assists in the MLS this season (17.) He has been instrumental for his team in the attacking midfielder’s position and unlocked many opposition defences with his creativity. Despite being just 160 cm tall, Acosta is a highly-valued asset in the final third. Acosta has scored 54 goals in the 154 appearances he has made for Cincinnati in his career.
Mira como juega Luciano Acosta boludoo hace 2 años es el mejor jugador de la MLS!! si no lo traemos es un papelón. JERARQUIA! pic.twitter.com/4jSu0JrGVD
— lauti (@lautidesimonee) November 13, 2024
The Argentine is known for his vision while passing the ball to his teammates as well as his accuracy in crossing. He is also known to bring his colleagues into the attack while holding up play and passing the ball forward. The valuable skills make Acosta, who wears the number ten shirt, one of the best midfielders in the league.
The 30-year-old had quite a fruitful time in the league in October and November, bagging two goals and one assist. However, his contribution to his team cannot be judged purely based on numbers but instead on his influence.
3. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
The legendary Lionel Messi caused quite a few waves when he moved to Inter Miami from Paris Saint-Germain in 2023. A lot was written and spoken about him and his subsequent presence in a league that was not as renowned as the ones he had played in the past.
However, the Argentine has been brilliant for his new club in the MLS and displayed why he still is among the best players in the world. Messi is third on the list of players with the most goals in the MLS this season with 21 strikes to his name. He also averages 1.08 goals per 90 minutes.
Lionel Messi becomes the 𝐅𝐀𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓 player in football history to reach 850 goals 🇦🇷📈
▪️ Messi: 850 goals in 1081 games
▪️ Ronaldo: 850 goals in 1179 gamesStill breaking records 😮💨 pic.twitter.com/hfOEXlUQpF
— Pubity Sport (@pubitysport) November 12, 2024
The 37-year-old scored six goals in the period between October and November, and also provided an assist. His best performance came against New England Revolution, in which he bagged a hat-trick to help his team beat their opponents by a massive 6-2 scoreline on 20 October.
2. Luis Suarez (Inter Miami)
Messi’s former teammate at Barcelona, Luis Suarez, followed him to Inter Miami in the winter transfer window of 2023, and has been a raging success since then. Currently, Suarez is the second-highest goalscorer in the MLS this season, having found the back of the net on 21 occasions.
Suarez has been extremely prolific for Inter Miami, and has already scored 25 goals in the 37 appearances he has made for them so far. In October and November, the Uruguayan scored four goals and provided two assists.
Gearing up for Saturday’s game! 🫡 pic.twitter.com/YcAbCbc1tk
— Luis Suárez (@LuisSuarez9) November 6, 2024
He was phenomenal against the New England Revolution on 20 October, where he bagged a brace in his team’s 6-2 win.
The former Liverpool and Atletico Madrid player was one of the best targetmen during his prime, and continues to shine despite his advancing years in the MLS. The 37-year-old knows how to beat opposition defenders by running behind them and giving them nightmares regarding their marking techniques.
1. Gabriel Pec (LA Galaxy)
Gabriel Pec, who leads the goals + assists chart in the MLS this season along with Lionel Messi (32 contributions) is one of the best players for LA Galaxy. The 23-year-old has shown his class with his accurate passing as well as deadly vision in the final third of his opponents.
Magia de Gabriel Pec 🇧🇷
30 goal contributions, 16 goals & 14 assists, in his debut season earns Gabriel the title of @MLS Newcomer of the Year!
📰: https://t.co/EjpEYtFZO3 pic.twitter.com/Vf2oQSNuJt
— LA Galaxy (@LAGalaxy) November 4, 2024
In the six matches that LA Galaxy played in October and November, Pec scored four goals and bagged four assists, which is an excellent contribution from someone so young. The right winger, who can also ply his trade as a left winger and attacking midfielder, plays for the Brazil U-23 team.
Pec is one of the most exciting prospects to come out of the MLS, and it will be interesting to follow his progress in the future. He is tipped to make his senior debut for the Brazil national team soon, and one can only foresee good things in store for the former Vasco da Gama player.
