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Every MVP in MLS History (Most Valuable Player)

by Gareth
Every MVP in MLS History

The Major League Soccer (MLS) Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, honors the league’s most outstanding player each regular season. As far as individual MLS awards go, it’s the big one.

Although it is usually simply referred to as the MVP, between 1996 and 2007 it was known as the Honda most valuable player due to sponsorship. Volkswagon took over between 2007 and 2015, at which point the award was renamed the Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award. Donovan had just retired, and the league wanted to honor him since he had done so much for Major League Soccer and achieved so much too.

Often it is record breakers and/or Golden Boot winners that land the MVP award, but not always. There is usually stiff competition for it too. When Messi won in 2024 he had 38.43% of the vote, with Cucho Hernandez not far behind at 33.7%.

Complete List of Major League Soccer MVP Winners

Below is a list of all MVP winners from 1996 through 2024, along with a brief explanation of their achievements during their award-winning seasons:

  • 1996: Carlos Valderrama (Tampa Bay Mutiny) – The Colombian playmaker earned the inaugural MLS MVP award by orchestrating Tampa Bay’s midfield with exceptional vision and passing, leading the team to the best regular-season record.
  • 1997: Preki (Kansas City Wizards) – Preki’s remarkable technical skills and scoring ability propelled him to the top of the league’s scoring charts, making him an indispensable asset for Kansas City.
  • 1998: Marco Etcheverry (D.C. United) – Etcheverry’s creative midfield dominance and leadership were pivotal in D.C. United’s successful campaign. His status as one of the league’s premier talents was cemented with the 1998 MVP award.
  • 1999: Jason Kreis (Dallas Burn) – Kreis showcased consistent goal-scoring prowess, becoming the first American-born player to lead the league in points, which was instrumental in Dallas Burn’s offensive strength.
  • 2000: Tony Meola (Kansas City Wizards) – As a goalkeeper, Meola’s exceptional shot-stopping and leadership led Kansas City to a league-best defensive record and their first MLS Cup title, marking an ultra rare MVP honor for a goalkeeper. He’s still the only one.
  • 2001: Alex Pineda Chacón (Miami Fusion) – Pineda Chacón’s clinical finishing and offensive contributions were key to Miami Fusion’s impressive regular-season performance, earning him the league’s top individual honor.
  • 2002: Carlos Ruiz (Los Angeles Galaxy) – Ruiz’s knack for crucial goals, including the MLS Cup-winning golden goal, made him an invaluable player for the Galaxy, leading to their first championship in a season where they also won their conference and the Supporter’s Shield.
  • 2003: Preki (Kansas City Wizards) – At 40, Preki secured his second MVP award by leading the league in points for goals and assists. It isn’t decided like that anymore, but nevertheless, winning the MVP at 40 years old is incredible. He’s still the only player to have won it twice.
  • 2004: Amado Guevara (MetroStars) – Guevara’s midfield mastery and scoring ability were central to the MetroStars’ success, as he led the team with his creative play and clutch performances.
  • 2005: Taylor Twellman (New England Revolution) – Twellman’s goal-scoring consistency and offensive leadership propelled the Revolution to the top of the Eastern Conference. He was also the Golden Boot winner that season.
  • 2006: Christian Gómez (D.C. United) – Gómez’s midfield dynamism and scoring touch were vital in D.C. United’s league-leading performance, underscoring his role as a central playmaker.
  • 2007: Luciano Emilio (D.C. United) – Emilio’s impressive goal tally in his debut MLS season powered D.C. United’s offense, earning him the league’s top individual accolade.
  • 2008: Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew) – Schelotto’s vision and playmaking excellence guided the Crew to both the Supporters’ Shield and MLS Cup titles, with his assists and leadership proving invaluable.
  • 2009: Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) – Donovan’s all-around offensive impact and leadership were crucial as the Galaxy reached the MLS Cup Final, solidifying his reputation as one of the league’s elite players.
  • 2010: David Ferreira (FC Dallas) – Ferreira’s creative midfield play and clutch performances, including pivotal playoff contributions, led FC Dallas to their first MLS Cup appearance.
  • 2011: Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United) – Despite mid-season team changes, De Rosario led the league in goals and combined points, showcasing his adaptability and offensive dominance.
  • 2012: Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) – Wondolowski tied the MLS single-season goal record, spearheading the Earthquakes’ attack and leading them to the Supporters’ Shield.
  • 2013: Mike Magee (Chicago Fire) – Magee’s career-best goal-scoring season, split between LA Galaxy and Chicago Fire, highlighted his offensive versatility and impact.
  • 2014: Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) – Keane’s combination of goals and assists, along with his veteran leadership, guided the Galaxy to another MLS Cup triumph.
  • 2015: Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC) – In his debut season, Giovinco shattered records for combined goals and assists, bringing Toronto FC to their first playoff appearance.
  • 2016: David Villa (New York City FC) – Villa’s consistent goal-scoring and leadership elevated NYCFC to their first postseason berth, exemplifying his value to the expansion club.
  • 2017: Diego Valeri (Portland Timbers) – Valeri’s midfield brilliance and record-setting goal streak were instrumental in the Timbers’ strong season, showcasing his playmaking and finishing skills.
  • 2018: Josef Martínez (Atlanta United FC) – Martínez set a new MLS single-season goal record with 31 scored, leading Atlanta’s high-powered offense to MLS Cup victory in just their second season.
  • 2019: Carlos Vela (Los Angeles Football Club) – Vela’s record-breaking 34 goals and 15 assists powered LAFC to a historic regular season, earning the Supporters’ Shield with the highest point total. He averaged an incredible 1.1 goals per game.
  • 2020: Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC) – Pozuelo’s playmaking and scoring proficiency were central to Toronto FC’s success in a pandemic-shortened season, highlighting his midfield influence.
  • 2021: Carles Gil (New England Revolution) – Gil’s league-leading assists and midfield control guided the Revolution to a record-setting points total and the Supporters’ Shield.
  • 2022: Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) – Mukhtar’s dynamic offensive output, leading the league in goals and combined points, was crucial in Nashville’s strong performance and playoff qualification.
  • 2023: Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati) – Acosta’s creative playmaking and leadership led FC Cincinnati to their first-ever playoff appearance and the Supporters’ Shield.
  • 2024: Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) – He’s Messi. He did Messi stuff and was always going to win MVP in his first first full season in Major League Soccer.

How is the MVP Decided?

MLS MVP Trophy How is it Decided

The award is decided upon by a voting process, with players, club staff, and members of the media all getting a say. However, it is by invitation only. Being a member of the press doesn’t automatically give you voting rights, for example. You have to be asked by MLS.

These people draw up a shortlist and then cast a final vote on the who they think should be the winner. Hudson River Blue published an interesting article attempting to explain their decision process.

However, for a player to be considered they must have played at least 1,000 minutes during the regular season. The ensures that the winner has displayed consistent excellence throughout the entire regular season, but allows for short term injuries.

The voting usually takes place before the playoffs, although there are no set criteria on which to base a decision. Obviously, attacking players are favoured since they are the ones scoring goals, winning matches, and making headlines, but defensive players do sometimes get a look in. Tony Meola was a goalkeeper, for example, and some of the winning midfield players have had defensive roles.

In any league though, attacking players will be more valuable than defensive ones. There is a Defender of the Year award for this very reason. It would take an awful lot for a defensive player to be seen to be more valuable than a forward smashing in goals, or a creative maestro in midfield claiming assists for fun.

The eventual winner of the MLS Landon Donovan Most Valuable Player award gets a trophy and all the prestige that comes with it.