Someone let me vote for the MLS Year-End Awards
Damon Gumbert
Recently, I was sent an email from someone who was marked as important. Normally, if I don’t recognize the email, I ignore these. This time the headline got me, though, “Media Voting - 2025 MLS Year-End Awards.
Wow, MLS thinks I’m a member of the media. If the imposter syndrome wasn’t strong before, I’m sure it will be after this article.
I’ll be upfront and say that I don’t watch a lot of MLS games. Mostly, I only pay attention to FC Cincinnati and occasionally hate watch one of the other games of the week. That being said, I can read a stat sheet like no one's business, so I am totally qualified to vote for these awards.
First and foremost, before we get into the actual vote and reasons, I have to let you all know that I’m not going to be a homer about this. As much as I want to see FC Cincinnati succeed and their players win awards, my integrity as a wannabe journalist does not allow me to vote solely for the hometown team’s players. It’s the same thing that has stopped me from auctioning off my votes to the highest bidder; It’s just too uncouth.
Secondly, my votes are not a reflection on The Post Cincy. They are my own votes with my own knowledge. I did not consult anyone when making these decisions. I did not want to tarnish anyone else’s reputation as “not knowing ball,” which I will surely get told.
Lastly, all good things come in threes, even if you don’t have a third thing. Just make something up.
Okay, let's get started.
MLS Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year
Allen Chapman and Cam Blanchard
I couldn’t pick either one of these two out of a lineup, and I think that’s what you want from a referee. I want to forget you exist. Don’t insert yourself into the match at all times and make it so people know your name, Guido Gonzales Jr. Keep it moving.
For some reason, none of the other writers and pundits have included their picks for Ref and Assistant Ref in their posts. I think it’s because they’re scared. Well, I’m not.
Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award
Kevin Denkey- FC Cincinnati
Honestly, he scored a sick ass bicycle kick and then bought a bunch of underprivileged kids bicycles. How could you not vote for him?
MLS Newcomer Of the Year
Anders Dreyer - San Diego FC
It’s a no-brainer. Dude is a finalist for MVP, carried his team to the best record in the Western Conference while also playing for an expansion team, and has like 35 goal contributions.
The aforementioned Denkey was up there, but Dreyer had a truly remarkable year for San Diego.
Unrelated, why did MLS feel the need to start the names of all the awards with “MLS”? Is there a different league we’re voting for MVP of?
MLS Comeback Player of the Year
Nick Hagglund - FC Cincinnati
I’m a big Nick Hagglund fan. Dude just rocks as a person. I’ll be honest, though, he sat on the bench a lot last year, and I truly thought his days as a starter were over. Then Matt Miazga got injured, and they were forced to put Hagglund back in the lineup. He looked rusty but was active, at least until he suffered his own season-ending injury a week after Miazga.
Not only does he deserve comeback player of the year after his injury last season, but the guy also suffered a devastating injury this season and made another comeback. I could go on for hours about the season this man has had, but this is another no-brainer.
MLS Young Player of the Year
Alex Freeman - Orlando City SC
I’m going to catch a lot of shit from FCC fans for not picking Dado Valenzuela here, and let me say that he is a valid choice. That being said, Freeman is a defender who has more goals than Valenzuela this season, despite Valenzuela playing midfield and striker in every appearance he has made.
There’s also this.
MLS Goalkeeper of the Year
Kristijan Kahlina - Charlotte FC
Everyone else has been going with the guy from Minnesota United. I’ll keep it 100 with you, not aware of that man’s game.
Kahlina, on the other hand. Him I’ve seen. I watched this guy stop about four Evander miracle goals in one night. FC Cincinnati put up 16 shots with seven on frame, and yet Kahlina walked away with a clean sheet.
Man’s a monster.
MLS Defender of the Year
Miles Robinson - FC Cincinnati
I don’t care what anyone says, Miles Robinson is the best center back this team has seen. Matt Miazga is wonderful, or at least he was when he could still run, and Nick Hagglund is a vibe, but Miles Robinson is so smart and so good at what he does.
Robinson has played more minutes at center back for FC Cincinnati over the last two seasons than any other player. And that’s with missing time due to USMNT duties.
I think Robinson solidified my vote against CF Montreal on Decision Day when I saw him fully lay his body down in front of a shot and essentially roll the ball up his body and put it right in front of Roman Celentano to pick up. That’s such a smart, selfless play. It’s exactly what you want from a Defender of the Year.
Let's take a break from the individual awards to view my Best XI.
MLS Best XI
I will not explain myself here.
Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year
Jesper Sorensen - Vancouver Whitecaps
Vancouver was supposed to be one of the worst teams in the league; instead, they came in second in the Western Conference, tied in points with San Diego FC.
Sorensen is a huge part of why that happened, and he deserves to be recognized for the turnaround he was able to accomplish with a franchise in flux.
Wonderful job.
MLS Most Valuable Player
Lionel Messi - Inter Miami
Like, I really don’t want to pick him. Truly, it annoys me that I am picking him. If I see that Lays commercial one more time, I’m going full Jack Torrance on someone.
What an insane year for him, though. Not only does he win the Golden Boot with 29 goals, but he almost has more than an entire club (DC United, 30). And he tacked on 19 assists to that stat line. 48 goal contributions are absolutely wild.
FC Cincinnati only scored 52 goals this season, meaning that Messi had almost as many goal contributions as the team that came in second in the Supporter’s Shield race. He has more goal contributions than 13 teams have goals. Like, what?
All of that is with a washed Luis Suarez trying to spit on and bite people. Imagine what he could have accomplished with a good striker on his team.
