📈 Early Major League Soccer MVP Rankings | OneFootball

With just about 50% of the Major League Soccer season under our belt, let’s take a look at who the top-five leading candidates for the MLS MVP award might be so far.

5. Christian Benteke

Benteke has been a man on a mission this season, and is may just singlehandedly lead a D.C. United side that finished 12th last season to an MLS Cup Playoffs berth.

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With 13 goals in 17 games, Benteke has given us all a reminder how just how much he dominated not only the ground, but the air when he was still in Europe.

4. Luis Suárez

It comes as no surprise that Luis Suárez has thrown his hat in the ring as a potential MVP candidate just one year on from ripping up the Brazilian top-flight.

Playing alongside his former Barcelona teammates, Suárez has helped lead Miami to top spot in both the Eastern Conference and Supporters Shield standings with 12 goals on the campaign.

3. Luciano Acosta

Last year’s MVP winner is back among it again with another superb season through the halfway point. Cincinnati sit just two points behind Miami in the conference, though they have two games in hand, and Acosta is the driving force of it all.

The nifty little forward has pitched in with seven goals and 10 assists for Pat Noonan’s side, who are arguably the favorites to win a second straight Supporters Shield.

Where Acosta goes, opposition defenders follow, but that doesn’t mean they have much of a chance at stopping him.

2. Lionel Messi

What is left to say about Messi that hasn’t already been said? The great one is showing that age is but a number as he leads Miami towards a potential Eastern Conference title.

Even with missing a few games through injury, Messi has racked up a staggering tally of 12 goals and 13 assists to lead the Herons in both categories.

Yet despite another generationally good campaign, Messi has only come in at number two in our standings…

1. Chicho Arango

And finally, the man keeping Messi from the top spot is, of course, Chicho Arango.

Arango has quickly cemented himself as the most prolific striker in the league after returning with Real Salt Lake. His 16 goals and nine assists in so far this season have lead the Utah club to the top of the Western Conference.

RSL have scored a staggering 36 goals this season, only Miami have racked up more, but Arango and his mates are doing it without the Beckham bucks.

In any fair and just world, Chicho would win the MVP award if the season ended right now.