Major League Soccer has announced finalists for the 2026 MLS Year-End Awards, which honor the league’s top performers during the regular season.
The finalists represent 15 MLS clubs, with the winners set to be announced throughout the Audi 2026 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Supporters' Shield champions Nashville SC lead MLS with six finalists, while seven other clubs – FC Cincinnati, Inter Miami CF, St. Louis CITY SC, Philadelphia Union, Red Bull New York, New England Revolution and Vancouver Whitecaps FC – each boast two nominees.
The finalists (outlined below in alphabetical order) earned the highest average votes from the following groups:
- MLS club technical staff
- MLS players
- Select media members
Landon Donovan MLS MVP
Given to the Most Valuable Player during the 2026 MLS regular season.
- Evander (FC Cincinnati)
- Guilherme (Houston Dynamo FC)
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF)
- Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC)
- Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union)
Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year
Given to the top head coach during the 2026 MLS regular season.
- B.J. Callaghan (Nashville SC)
- Yoann Damet (St. Louis CITY SC)
- Jesper Sørensen (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
MLS Newcomer of the Year
"Newcomer" is defined as a player with previous professional experience who made his MLS debut in 2026.
- Antoine Griezmann (Orlando City)
- Guilherme (Houston Dynamo FC)
- André Luiz (Sporting Kansas City)
MLS Young Player of the Year
Given to the best young player during the 2026 MLS regular season. Eligible players must be born on or after Jan. 1, 2004.
- Julian Hall (Red Bull New York)
- Adri Mehmeti (Red Bull New York)
- Cavan Sullivan (Philadelphia Union)
MLS Defender of the Year
Given to the best defender during the 2026 MLS regular season.
- Andy Najar (Nashville SC)
- Jeisson Palacios (Nashville SC)
- Maxwell Woledzi (Nashville SC)
MLS Goalkeeper of the Year
Given to the best goalkeeper during the 2026 MLS regular season.
- Roman Bürki (St. Louis CITY SC)
- Brian Schwake (Nashville SC)
- Matt Turner (New England Revolution)
MLS Comeback Player of the Year
Honors an MLS player who has overcome a severe injury and/or adversity, and as a result missed a significant portion of the 2025 season, and shown improved performance to achieve success during the 2026 MLS regular season.
- Ryan Gauld (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
- Nick Hagglund (FC Cincinnati)
- Eduard Löwen (San Jose Earthquakes)
MLS Humanitarian of the Year Award
Honors an MLS player who demonstrated outstanding dedication to charitable efforts and serving the community during the 2026 season.
- Paul Arriola (Seattle Sounders FC)
- Andrew Farrell (New England Revolution)
- Telasco Segovia (Inter Miami CF)
- Mason Stajduhar (Real Salt Lake)
- Brad Stuver (Austin FC)
The MLS AT&T Goal of the Year and MLS Save of the Year will be decided by online voting at MLSsoccer.com, with winners announced on Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Thursday, Nov. 19. Voting opened on Monday, Nov. 9, and will close on Monday, Nov. 16.
MLS Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year award recipients will be announced on Friday, Nov. 13, and the MLS Best XI will be revealed at a later date.
