News Summary
As the Major League Soccer regular season approaches its conclusion, the race for the coveted Landon Donovan MVP award intensifies. Following standout performances from players like Lionel Messi and Sam Surridge, analysts are keenly observing who will claim the title. Messi leads with 26 goals and 18 assists, facing competition from others like Evander and Denis Bouanga. With Decision Day on the horizon, players are poised to make their final pushes for MVP recognition as teams prepare for the playoffs.
Major League Soccer Decision Day Approaches as MVP Race Heats Up
Miami, FL — The regular season for Major League Soccer (MLS) is nearing its conclusion, with decisions on the 2025 Landon Donovan MVP award expected soon. The campaign has been marked by exceptional performances from top players across the league, culminating in a tense race for the league’s most valuable player.
Lionel Messi Leads the Race
At the forefront is Lionel Messi, the Argentine superstar who currently holds the league’s top spot with a personal best of 26 goals. His scoring prowess has been instrumental for Inter Miami, helping steer the team into the playoffs. Recently, Messi scored two goals and provided one assist in a 3–0 victory against Atlanta United, highlighting his continued impact on the pitch.
Messi is also tied for the assist lead with Anders Dreyer, both players boasting 18 assists. Combining his goals and assists, Messi has accumulated 44 goal contributions, coming within five of the league record of 49, set by Carlos Vela in a single season. His performances have made him a strong frontrunner for the MVP award, which he aims to defend, having won it last year — a historic feat in MLS history.
Other Notable Contenders
Several other players are making strong cases for the MVP award. Sam Surridge of Nashville SC has scored 29 goals in 36 appearances, significantly contributing to Nashville’s first-ever major title, the US Open Cup. Of these, 23 goals came during league play, maintaining a consistent scoring record that keeps him in the MVP conversation.
Evander, now with FC Cincinnati, has displayed versatility with a combined total of 32 goals and 33 assists over the past two seasons. His contribution has been vital, suggesting he remains in contention as one of the league’s most impactful players.
Denis Bouanga of LAFC has scored 24 goals this season, including a recent streak of 10 goals in six games. Bouanga is the first player in MLS to record three consecutive seasons with at least 20 goals, highlighting his consistency and importance to his team.
Anders Dreyer continues to impress with a total of 35 goal contributions (comprising 17 goals and 18 assists), the second-highest in the league. His performance has been critical for San Diego FC as they have had a formidable expansion season. Dreyer’s influence positions him as a rising star, especially for the Newcomer of the Year award.
Upcoming Key Games and the Final Push
As the regular season wraps up on Decision Day, October 18, 2025, players are positioning themselves for the final opportunities to enhance their MVP credentials. Messi has one remaining match against Nashville SC, which could solidify his Golden Boot lead and further boost his MVP prospects.
The playoff journey begins as Inter Miami aims for their first-ever MLS Cup title, with their playoff run set to start on October 22. Meanwhile, other top contenders continue to showcase their talents, making the MVP race highly competitive as voting nears.
Additional Player Performances and League Context
Other notable performers include Martin Ojeda of Orlando City, who has been involved directly in 25 goals (16 goals, 9 assists), though he currently trails some of the top contenders. Evander has also been influential, with a total of 30 direct goal involvements this season, bolstering his case for MVP consideration.
The league’s landscape continues to evolve, with players from various teams making impressive contributions in both scoring and assists. This competitiveness ensures a compelling finish to the season as players vie for league honors and team success.
With the season concluding shortly, fans and analysts await the final MVP decision, which promises to reflect a season filled with exceptional individual performances and team achievements.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- MLS Soccer: MVP Power Rankings – Lionel Messi
- Sports Illustrated: Messi Takes Golden Boot Lead
- MLS Soccer: Decision Day – 10 Players Who Will Decide the Drama
- Philadelphia Union: Tai Baribo Makes History in MVP Performance
- USA Today: NYCFC vs Inter Miami – Will Messi Play?
- Wikipedia: 2025 Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award
- Google Search: MLS MVP 2025
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Major League Soccer
- Google News: MLS 2025
- Google Scholar: MLS MVP History
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
