Following a record-setting 2023 campaign which saw Orlando City SC set the club record for most points and most wins in a season, the nominees for the 2023 MLS Year-End Awards have been announced, and the pool is looking very purple this year. (Plus, check back soon to cast your vote for the AT&T MLS Goal of the Year and MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate!)
The nominees include:
Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year
Oscar Pareja
2023 Highlights:
- Led Orlando City to a Club-record single-season wins total, finishing the season No. 2 overall in the Eastern Conference
- Led the Lions to their fourth-straight postseason appearance, all coming with Pareja at the helm
- Set the franchise points total, currently sitting at 60 points with one regular-season match remaining
- Became the sixth head coach in MLS history to record 150 wins
- Secured a spot in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup, the second straight year the side will compete in the international tournament
Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player
Facundo Torres
2023 Highlights:
- Has scored a team-high 14 goals in MLS regular-season play, setting his personal best for most goals scored in a single season in purple
- Five of his 14 goals have served as game-winners for the Lions
- Has converted a perfect five-for-five from the penalty spot
- Has added an additional four assists for a total of 18 goal contributions to this point
- When Torres scores, Orlando City is a perfect 11-0-0 against all opposition.
MLS Young Player of the Year
Duncan McGuire
2023 Highlights:
- Has scored 13 goals across all competitions, including 11 in the MLS regular season
- Three of McGuire’s goals in 2023 have served as game-winning goals for the Lions
- McGuire is currently tied with Damani Ralph for the second-most goals scored by a draft pick in their first MLS season out of college
- McGuire is just the fifth player in MLS history to score at least 10 regular-season goals in the year they were drafted out of college
- Has provided an additional three assists for a total of 16 goal contributions across all competitions
- The Lions are 6-2-5 across all competitions when McGuire scores
- Earned his first call-up for the U.S.A. while a member of the Lions, joining the U.S. Olympic Team’s October training camp
Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year
Pedro Gallese
2023 Highlights:
- Has kept a Club-record 11 clean sheets this season across all competitions, including 10 in the MLS regular season
- Has recorded a 1.1 GAA through 30 regular-season matches in 2023
- Has made 79 saves in regular-season action
- Kept a shutout on the road in Concacaf Champions League against Liga MX powerhouse Tigres UANL
MLS Defender of the Year
Robin Jansson
2023 Highlights:
- Led the backline in 10 of the Club’s 11 clean sheets across all competitions in 2023, including nine in the regular season
- Jansson currently leads MLS in successful blocks with 31 thorough 30 appearances on the year
- Has played the fourth most minutes amongst all defenders in Major League Soccer in 2023
- Leads Orlando City in both starts and appearances in 2023, while also becoming the Club’s all-time appearance leader this season.
Antonio Carlos
2023 Highlights:
- Scored one goal and provided three assists across all competition for the Lions in 2023
- Has the second-highest success rate for completed passes of all City defenders with 86.6% of his attempts completed
- Has featured as a centerpiece of Orlando City’s defense that has kept 10 regular-season clean sheets and 11 across all competitions in 2023
MLS Newcomer of the Year
Dagur Dan Thorhallsson
2023 Highlights:
- Has scored two goals and provided three helpers in 2023 across all competitions
- Holds the second-best accurate passing percentage among Orlando City midfielders, completing 87.9% of his attempts
- Has featured in numerous positions in City’s starting lineups, including at right back
Rafael Santos
2023 Highlights:
- Has provided five regular-season assists in 2023 and six across all competitions, leading all Orlando City defenders
- Leads all Lions defenders with 25 total tackles and 27 interceptions
- Has recorded a 0.23 A/90 ratio through 26 regular-season appearances
Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award presented by MLS WORKS
Felipe Martins
2023 Highlights:
- Felipe Martins has become a key link between Orlando City SC and the community, ingraining himself in the fabric of Central Florida almost immediately since joining the team ahead of the 2023 season
- Has made regular visits to the Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, spending time with pediatric hospital patients from the Central Florida region
- Helped to lead a school supplies drive for kids and teachers returning at the start of the 2023 school year.
MLS Comeback Player of the Year
Robin Jansson
Fan Vote: AT&T MLS Goal of the Year
Nominee coming soon!
Fan Vote: MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate
Nominee coming soon!