The MLS regular season has wrapped up and the MLS Cup playoffs are in full swing. But before we get to the MLS Cup final on Saturday, Dec. 6., the league will be handing out its top individual awards.
See who’ll be winning honors such as Most Valuable Player and Coach of the Year, and which stars will be making the Best XI.
JUMP TO: Defender | Comeback Player | Young Player | MVP | Coach | Newcomer | Goalkeeper
(Photo by Rich Lam/Getty Images)
It’s been a breakout season for both Blackmon and his ‘Caps side, which finished among the best teams in the Western Conference and reached the CONCACAF Champions League final. Blackmon anchored a backline that allowed the second-fewest goals (38) and logged the second-most clean sheets (13) this season. He played in 25 regular season games this season and added two goals and one assist. Blackmon also earned his first two caps with the U.S. men’s national team in September.
Other Candidates:
(Photo by Jeff Dean/Getty Images)
At age 21, Freeman has turned into one of the league’s breakout talents while also staying in the fold with the U.S. men’s national team. His versatility in the back-line earned him an All-Star selection and his six goals is tied for most among MLS defenders. The son of former NFL star Antonio Freeman, he also earned 11 caps with the USMNT and was part of the squad that reached the Gold Cup final earlier this summer.
Other Candidates
“Newcomer” is defined as a player with previous professional experience who made his MLS debut in 2025.
