2023 MLS year-end award nominees revealed

  • A few clubs have players in several categories
  • Lionel Messi shortlisted for one award
  • Winners will be announced during MLS Cup playoffs
Lionel Messi only arrived in Miami in July
Lionel Messi only arrived in Miami in July / Matt Kelley/GettyImages
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Major League Soccer has revealed the nominees for the 2023 end-of-season awards, with several clubs represented well throughout the list.

FC Cincinnati and St Louis CITY, who both topped their respective Western and Eastern Conferences, have players featured in several categories due to their excellent regular season campaigns. Thiago Almada's terrific year has him in not only MVP consideration but also Newcomer of the Year talk.

Giorgos Giakoumakis' 17 goals sees him nominated for Newcomer of the Year alongside Inter Miami superstar Lionel Messi, despite the 36-year-old playing just 372 minutes. LAFC's talisman Dénis Bouanga remains in the MVP conversation after picking up the 2023 Golden Boot.

Here's the full list of nominees.


MVP finalists

  • Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati)
  • Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)
  • Dénis Bouanga (LAFC)

Goalkeeper of the year

  • Roman Bürki (St Louis CITY)
  • Roman Celentano (FC Cincinnati)
  • Pedro Gallese (Orlando City)

Defender of the year

  • Yeimar Gómez Andrade (Seattle Sounders)
  • Matt Miazga (FC Cincinnati)
  • Tim Parker (St Louis CITY)

Newcomer of the year

  • Giorgos Giakoumakis (Atlanta United)
  • Lionel Messi (Inter Miami)
  • Eduard Löwen (St Louis CITY)

Young player of the year

  • Thiago Almada (Atlanta United)
  • Duncan McGuire (Orlando City)
  • Aidan Morris (Columbus Crew)

Comeback player of the year

  • João Paulo (Seattle Sounders)
  • Alan Pulido (Sporting Kansas City)
  • Miles Robinson (Atlanta United)

Coach of the year

  • Bradley Carnell (St Louis CITY)
  • Pat Noonan (FC Cincinnati)
  • Wilfried Nancy (Columbus Crew)

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