Thiago Almada the star in 2023 MLS Team of the Season
The 2023 regular MLS season drew to a close in the early hours of Sunday morning and WhoScored are on hand to run through their best XI from the campaign. The likes of Atlanta United, New England Revolution and LAFC are all represented in the team.
Djordje Petrovic (New England Revolution) - 7.12
While he hasn't featured in a MLS game since July following his move to Chelsea, Djordje Petrovic impressed for the New England Revs prior to his departure as noted by a WhoScored rating of 7.12. Petrovic departed for England with the best save success rate (78.6%) and that remains the case as no goalkeeper could better the Serbs exploits following his departure.
Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United) - 7.01
The first of two Atlanta United players to make the MLS team of the season, Brooks Lennon was excellent from right-back for the Five Stripes. A return of nine assists was more than any other defender and ranked fifth overall to contribute towards Lennon's inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.01.
Rodrigues (San Jose Earthquakes) - 7.09
Rodrigues is the first San Jose Earthquakes representative to make the team of the season having earned a WhoScored rating of 7.09. The Brazilian centre-back won possession in the defensive third more times (175) and placed fifth for tackles and interceptions combined (130) to secure his spot in the side.
Yerson Mosquera (FC Cincinnati) - 7.02
Partnering Rodrigues at the heart of the defence in the MLS team of the season is FC Cincinnati's Yerson Mosquera. The 22-year-old won the fifth most aerial duels per game (3.3) and this helped the Colombian return a WhoScored rating of 7.02.
Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) - 7.32
Rounding off the backline is Philadelphia Union's Kai Wagner with a WhoScored rating of 7.32. Wagner routinely pushed forward well for the Union having finished 12th for assists (7) while 70 key passes was more than any other defender, and the eighth most overall, to justify his spot at left-back.
Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) - 7.75
The second Atlanta United representative also did enough to secure the player of the season award. Youngster Thiago Almada registered more assists (16) than any other MLS player and with 11 goals to his name, was one of only three players to register double figures for both. 93 key passes ranked fourth and 95 successful dribbles was the most as Almada earned a WhoScored rating of 7.75.
Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati) - 7.69
Another Argentine star features in the middle of the park. Luciano Acosta is good value for his selection having returned a WhoScored rating of 7.69 in MLS this season. Only Almada and Riqui Puig completed more dribbles than Acosta (87) in 2023, while 17 goals was the second most in the division. Factor in the 29-year-old's 10 assists and his inclusion is deserving.
Carles Gil (New England Revolution) - 7.66
Finishing an admittedly attacking midfield, Carles Gil secures his spot in the side with a WhoScored rating of 7.66. The Spaniard scored 11 and provided an additional eight assists for the Revs, the latter coming from 96 key passes, that the third most. Gil also completed 80 dribbles to cap yet another fine campaign.
Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes) - 7.41
The second San Jose Earthquakes player in the side, Cristian Espinoza won the second most player of the match awards (12) in the division this year having bagged 13 goals and laid on an additional eight assists. The latter came from 101 key passes, more than any other player in MLS, and third for big chances created on his way to a WhoScored.com rating of 7.41.
Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew) - 7.58
Leading the charge in the MLS team of the season is Columbus Crew hitman Cucho Hernandez. The 24-year-old scored 16 goals and provided seven assists for the Crew in 2023, and was routinely chancing his luck have fired off more shots (165) than any other player to help return a WhoScored rating of 7.58.
Completing the XI is Major League Soccer's 2023 Golden Boot winner. Denis Bouanga struck 20 times this season, more than any other player, and finished second for shots (137) in the division. Bouanga, like Acosta, also completed 87 dribbles in the 2023 MLS campaign as he rounds off the team with a WhoScored rating of 7.59.
