Toronto FC’s Federico Bernardeschi, Vancouver’s Ryan Gauld and CF Montreal’s Josef Martinez were selected as candidates for the Landon Donovan Major League Soccer MVP Award.
The list of 34 candidates also includes Whitecaps forward Brian White, Toronto captain Jonathan Osorio, Montreal captain Samuel Piete and Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.
Other top contenders include DC United’s Christian Benteke, FC Cincinnati’s Luciano Acosta, Portland’s Evander, Columbus’ Cucho Hernandez and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga.
Vancouver’s Vanni Sartini, Montreal’s Laurent Courtois and Toronto’s John Herdman all won the Sigi Schmid Manager of the Year award. The 22 coaching candidates include two former TFC coaches, Chris Armas of the Colorado Rapids, Greg Vanney of the Los Angeles Galaxy and former Montreal coach Wilfried Nancy.
Toronto defender Kevin Long, midfielder Matty Longstaff and Whitecaps defender Bjorn Inge Utvik won Rookie of the Year honors. The league defines this as “a player with prior professional experience who makes his MLS debut in 2024.”
Toronto fullback/wingback Richie Laryea has been nominated for Comeback Player of the Year.
Long and Nicksoen Gomis of Toronto, Joel Waterman of Montreal and Ranko Veselinovic of Vancouver were named Defenders of the Year.
Gomis, Toronto midfielder Kosi Thompson, Montreal midfielder Nathan Saliba and Vancouver midfielder Pedro Witte were nominated for Young Player of the Year (Under 22). Columbus Crew Canadian forward Jacen Russell-Rowe was also nominated.
Vancouver’s Yohei Takaoka, Montreal’s Jonathan Sirois and Toronto’s Sean Johnson are among the nominees for Goalkeeper of the Year. Canadians Maxime Crepo (Portland) and Dane St. Clair (Minnesota United) were also nominated.
Osorio, Sirois and Vancouver’s Sebastian Berhalter received the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, given to an MLS player who “has demonstrated outstanding commitment to philanthropy and community service” during the 2024 season.
Canadian Drew Fischer is one of three nominees for Referee of the Year.
Voting for the awards will be open until October 21, with MLS club technical staff, MLS players and media members each receiving one-third of the votes. Club technical staff and players cannot vote for candidates from their own team.
