Lionel Messi is firmly in the running for a third consecutive Major League Soccer (MLS) MVP award, but the Argentine superstar has a talented young challenger in 17-year-old Cavan Sullivan.
The league announced its finalists for eight individual season-ending awards on Thursday, with the Inter Miami captain and the Philadelphia Union teenager among the five players shortlisted for the prestigious Landon Donovan MVP Award.
Messi, who has won the honour in each of the past two seasons, enjoyed another prolific campaign, finishing the regular season with a league-best 26 goals. He also registered 17 assists, the second-highest tally in the competition, to strengthen his case for another individual accolade.
Sullivan, meanwhile, emerged as one of the league’s most exciting young talents during a breakthrough season with Philadelphia Union. The 17-year-old recorded nine goals and 14 assists in 29 appearances, including 21 starts, and has also earned a nomination for the Young Player of the Year award.
FC Cincinnati’s Evander, Houston Dynamo’s Guilherme and Nashville SC’s Hany Mukhtar complete the five-player MVP shortlist.
Nashville SC also features prominently in the other award categories after a remarkable regular season in which the club won the Supporters’ Shield. Coach B.J. Callaghan is among the finalists for the Sigi Schmid Coach of the Year award, alongside Yoann Damet of St. Louis City and Jesper Sorensen of Vancouver Whitecaps.
The Defender of the Year shortlist features three Nashville players – Andy Najar, Jeisson Palacios and Maxwell Woledzi. Nashville goalkeeper Brian Schwake is also in contention for the Goalkeeper of the Year award, alongside Roman Burki of St. Louis City and Matt Turner of New England Revolution.
Elsewhere, Ryan Gauld, Nick Hagglund and Eduard Lowen are the three finalists for Comeback Player of the Year.
The Newcomer of the Year race features Guilherme, Antoine Griezmann of Orlando City and Andre Luiz of Sporting Kansas City.
Sullivan will face New York Red Bulls youngsters Julian Hall and Adri Mehmeti for the Young Player of the Year honour.
Paul Arriola, Andrew Farrell, Telasco Segovia, Mason Stajduhar and Brad Stuver are the five finalists for Humanitarian of the Year.
Winners across all eight categories will be announced throughout the upcoming playoffs. The MLS Best XI will be revealed separately, while online voting for Goal of the Year and Save of the Year remains open at mlssoccer.com through Monday.
