MLS MVP Rankings: Evander makes his case, Leo Messi remains in the hunt - but at the moment, Anders Dreyer is shining brightest

Dreyer leads MLS in goal contributions with 23 - nine goals and 14 assists. He's been a clutch performer in the final third for the 2025 expansion side and has them in first in the Western Conference heading into Matchday 22.

The Denmark international, who joined SDFC as a Designated Player ahead of their debut campaign in a $5M move from Belgian side Anderlecht, is arguably the frontrunner for both MLS Newcomer of the Year and league MVP this season.

Named June Player of the Month for MLS, the winger recorded a combined nine G+A across the campaign - a complete revelation for MLS this year.

Evander has been on a tear for FC Cincinnati of late, and is showing why the Eastern Conference side paid the Portland Timbers $12M for him ahead of the 2025 campaign.

The Brazilian midfielder has 11 goals and seven assists in 18 games for FCC, and across Matchday 20 and 21, scored four out of their five combined goals - including the game-winner in both matches to push his team into second in the Eastern Conference heading.

The attacking midfielder has showcased his prowess in the final-third all season, and is increasingly looking to be the league's most threatening set-piece taker.

Messi is looking to become the first player in league history to win back-to-back MVP awards, while also becoming the second player in league history to win it multiple times.

However, he sits third in the running at the moment - for multiple reasons.

Due to his slow start to the campaign, a brief injury hiatus due to "fatigue" and featuring in the CWC with Inter Miami in June, he hasn't logged the same number of minutes as the rest of the league's top players.

What is impressive, however, is that he has 16 goal contributions, with 10 goals and six assists in just 13 matches. If he can return for the second half of the campaign and put up even close to what he's done so far, he will have a real chance to make league history.

The league's top scorer, Surridge has had a brilliant stretch of form of late, and he's finally come into his own under B.J. Callaghan with Nashville. The Englishman is up to 16 goals and has bagged 10 goals in his last six matches.

He's outperforming his xG of 14.77 goals, and in 20 appearances, has 19 total goal contributions. Across MLS, he's the only player with two hat-tricks.

He's elevated Nashville, and has them contending for a top spot in the Eastern Conference.

+ Cristian Espinoza, San Jose Earthquakes: Four goals, 11 assists in 18 matches.

+ Diego Rossi, Columbus Crew: Nine goals, four assists in 19 matches.

+ Tai Baribo, Philadelphia Union: 13 goals, one assist in 16 matches.

+ Denis Bouanga, LAFC: eight goals, five assists in 16 matches.