MLS Awards: U.S. Males’s Workforce Teenager Alex Freeman Earns Honor; Who’ll Win MVP?

The MLS common season has wrapped up and the MLS Cup playoffs are in full swing. However earlier than we get to the MLS Cup closing on Saturday, Dec. 6., the league can be handing out its high particular person awards. 

See who’ll be successful honors corresponding to Most Priceless Participant and Coach of the Yr, and which stars can be making the Finest XI.

JUMP TO: Defender | Comeback Participant | Younger Participant | MVP | Coach | Newcomer | Goalkeeper 

MLS Defender of the Yr

Tristan Blackmon, Defender, Vancouver Whitecaps FC

(Photograph by Wealthy Lam/Getty Pictures)

It has been a breakout season for each Blackmon and his ‘Caps facet, which completed among the many finest groups within the Western Convention and reached the CONCACAF Champions League closing. Blackmon anchored a backline that allowed the second-fewest targets (38) and logged the second-most clear sheets (13) this season. He performed in 25 common season video games this season and added two targets and one help. Blackmon additionally earned his first two caps with the U.S. males’s nationwide crew in September. 

Different Candidates:

Jakob Glesnes (Philadelphia Union)Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union)

MLS Comeback Participant of the Yr

Nick Haaglund, Defender, FC Cincinnati

(Photograph by Jeff Dean/Getty Pictures)

The Cincinnati native has bounced again this season after struggling a fractured fibula in June 2024, which was his third season-ending damage within the prior 4 seasons. Haaglund has anchored the backline of the Orange-and-Blue in his 17 appearances this season. He did this regardless of struggling one other damage – two fractured ribs and a collapsed lung – in Might. He returned in August and helped Cincy end second within the general standings, behind the Supporters Protect-winning Philadelphia Union. 

Different Candidates:

Lawrence Ennali (Houston Dynamo FC)Richie Laryea (Toronto FC)

MLS Younger Participant of the Yr

Alex Freeman, Proper Again, Orlando Metropolis SC

Eligible gamers have to be born on or after Jan. 1, 2003.

(Photograph by Mark Thorstenson – Orlando Metropolis/MLS through Getty Pictures)

At age 21, Freeman has was one of many league’s breakout abilities whereas additionally staying within the fold with the U.S. males’s nationwide crew. His versatility within the back-line earned him an All-Star choice and his six targets is tied for many amongst MLS defenders. The son of former NFL star Antonio Freeman, he additionally earned 11 caps with the USMNT and was a part of the squad that reached the Gold Cup closing earlier this summer season.

Different Candidates

Diego Luna (Actual Salt Lake)Obed Vargas (Seattle Sounders FC)

MLS MVP Candidates

Denis Bouanga (LAFC)Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC)Evander (FC Cincinnati)Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF)Sam Surridge (Nashville SC)

MLS Coach of the Yr Candidates

Bradley Carnell (Philadelphia Union)Jesper Sørensen (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)Mikey Varas (San Diego FC)

MLS Newcomer of the Yr Candidates

“Newcomer” is outlined as a participant with earlier skilled expertise who made his MLS debut in 2025.

Anders Dreyer (San Diego FC)Son Heung-min (LAFC)Philip Zinckernagel (Chicago Fireplace FC)

MLS Goalkeeper of the Yr Candidates

Matt Freese (New York Metropolis FC)Dayne St. Clair (Minnesota United FC)Yohei Takaoka (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)