O-Town's 11
Fansided

2023 Major League Soccer Predictions: Awards and MLS Cup

By Christopher Adams

Nov 6, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy and Latif Blessing arrive
Nov 6, 2022; Los Angeles, California, USA; LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy and Latif Blessing arrive / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

Defender of the Year
Winner: Yeimar Gómez Andrade, Seattle Sounders

Sep 27, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders FC defender Yeimar Gomez (28) steals the
Sep 27, 2022; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Sounders FC defender Yeimar Gomez (28) steals the / Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

I'm extremely high on the Seattle Sounders, and I believe they'll bounce back with authority after missing the playoffs last year. That turn arond is going to be anchored by an elite backline.

Yeimar Gómez Andrade is the anchor of Seattle's defense --- although the whole unit is talented --- and should get plenty of recoginition for helping the Sounders compete for silverware again this season.

Honorable Mentions: Sean Nealis (RBNY), Andres Reyes (RBNY), Walker Zimmerman (Nashville)

Goalkeeper of the Year
Winner: Djordje Petrovic, New England Revolution

Sep 10, 2022; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic (99)
Sep 10, 2022; Harrison, New Jersey, USA; New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic (99) / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

I will be genuinely shocked if Djordje Petrovic isn't the best goalkeeper in MLS this season. The Serbian international is a superhuman shot-stopper and already one of the most talented net minders in league history.

The only way he doesn't win this award is if he's sold midseason --- a distinct possibility for a player of his ability.

Honorable Mentions: Andre Blake (Philadelphia)

Golden Boot
Winner: Mikael Uhre, Philadelphia Union

Nov 5, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Mikael Uhre (7) chases the ball
Nov 5, 2022; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Philadelphia Union forward Mikael Uhre (7) chases the ball / Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

This was by far the hardest award for me to predict. There's a glut of strong choices, but no clear frontrunner right now. I opted for a productive player who just touched the surface of what he could do in this league last season.

Mikael Uhre is, for my money, the best player in Philadelphia's attack. He scored 13 goals in his maiden MLS campaign, but I think he could easily hit 20-25 goals with a full season of league experience under his belt.

Honorable Mentions: Dante Vanzeir (RBNY), Denis Bouanga (LAFC), Dejan Jovelic (Galaxy)

Home/Orlando City SC News