Young Stars, MVPs Highlight MLS Roster
League pride is on the line tonight as the Major League Soccer All-Stars square off against Liga MX All-Stars in Columbus, Ohio. While there’s no doubt fans will be disappointed that an injured Lionel Messi will miss out, there’s still plenty of talent on display. Let’s take a look at the best and brightest on the MLS roster.
Lucho Acosta, AM, FC Cincinnati
the story
• defending mls mvp
• 10 goal contributions in season-turning seven-game winning streak
• favorite to repeat as MLS MVP (would be first back-to-back mvp in mls history)
What’s Next?
• restore order after recent 3-game losing streak
• break mls all-time single-season assist record
2024 stats
• 11 goals (T-6th in mls)
• 18 assists (1st in MLS)
Gabriel Pec, F, Los Angeles Galaxy
THE STORY
• joined galaxy in club-record transfer from vasco de gama
• spectacular debut season has helped lift surprising galaxy to top of the western conference
WHAT’S NEXT?
• keep galaxy afloat while fellow star Dejan Joveljic is out injured
• help bring galaxy first title since 2014
2024 Stats
• 10 goals (T-7th MLS)
• 10 assists (T-5th MLS)
Denis Bouanga, F, Los Angeles Football Club
THe story
• scored 10 goals in last 12 games to help lafc overcome slow start to climb to second in western conference
• first-career three-assist game vs vancouver
what’s next?
• defend mls title (first back-to-back title in mls since 2011/12
• overtake cristian arango and christian benteke to win mls top scorer for 2nd year in a row
THE STATS
• 16 goals (T-2nd mls)
• Nine assists (T-6th mls)
Diego Luna, LW, Real Salt Lake
the story
•key member of real salt lake team that started year as 50/1 longshots to win title (currently 16/1)
•high profile snub from united states olympic soccer squad
what’s next?
•help guide RSL on deep playoff run
•choose whether to commit to USA or mexico for international play
the stats
• Five goals (T-12th mls)
• 11 assists (t-3rd mls)
Hany Mukhtar, AM, Nashville Soccer Club
The story
• Three-time mls all-star
• 2022 mls mvp and golden boot winner with 23 goals
• only all star for struggling nashville sc (12th in eastern conference)
what’s next?
• rediscover mvp form (mukhtar has gone five straight games without a goal or assist)
• make playoff push (nashville currently only two points back of wild-card spot)
what they’re saying
• five goals (t-12th mls)
• seven assists (T-8th mls)
