Atlanta's Almada among the top performers in the 2023 MLS season
As MLS enters it's mid-season break in order to focus on the Leagues Cup, now is as good a time as any to take a look at the team of the 2023 season so far, with Atlanta United, DC United and Columbus Crew among those represented in the XI.
Djordje Petrovic (New England Revs) - 7.11
Major League Soccer's busiest goalkeeper so far features between the sticks. Djordje Petrovic has made more saves (98) than any other player in the 2023 MLS campaign, while a save success rate of 78.6% is the second best across both conferences. This has helped the Revs to a positive first half to the season, and Petrovic to a WhoScored rating of 7.11.
Brooks Lennon (Atlanta United) - 7.03
The first of two Atlanta United players to make the side, Brooks Lennon has been a consistent attacking outlet down the Five Stripes' right having scored three times and laid on an additional seven assists, the latter the joint-second best return in MLS. A return of 43 key passes ranks 12th in the division so far this season, and has helped Lennon to a WhoScored rating of 7.03.
Rodrigues (San Jose Earthquakes) - 7.09
San Jose Earthquakes have conceded just 29 league goals so far this season, with Brazilian centre-back Rodrigues key to their defensive resolve. The 25-year-old ranks eighth for tackles (54), fifth for interceptions (41) and fifth for clearances (101) to cap what has been a solid campaign so far for Rodrigues.
Yerson Mosquera (FC Cincinnati) - 7.10
Partnering Rodrigues at the heart of the defence is FC Cincinnati's Yerson Mosquera. Only two teams have conceded fewer goals than the Eastern Conference leaders this season (25) and Mosquera's impressive reading of the game has been vital. Indeed, the Colombian ranks third for interceptions (43) in Major League Soccer to contribute towards a WhoScored rating of 7.10.
Kai Wagner (Philadelphia Union) - 7.15
The sole Philadelphia Union representative in the side rounds off the defence. Kai Wagner may have just two assists to his name, but it's not for want of trying, with the German left-back ranking 25th for key passes (34) in MLS this season. Having been solid defensively, too, Wagner makes the cut with a WhoScored rating of 7.15.
Cristian Espinoza (San Jose Earthquakes) - 7.42
The second San Jose Earthquakes star in the side, Cristian Espinoza has been a revelation on the right flank this season. The Argentine has 11 league goals to his name, the fourth most in the league, and has won nine WhoScored man of the match awards, that ranking second. 62 key passes is the joint-second most in MLS and has helped Espinoza to a rating of 7.42.
Thiago Almada (Atlanta United) - 7.82
Unsurprisingly, Thiago Almada makes the grade in the middle of the park. The Argentine has been a revelation for Atlanta United this season, winning the WhoScored man of the match award in 10 of his 21 appearances. The 22-year-old has eight goals and nine assists to his name, and has created more goalscoring chances (65) than any other player in MLS to help return a rating of 7.82.
Luciano Acosta (FC Cincinnati) - 7.67
A key player in FC Cincinnati's stunning start to the season has been Luciano Acosta. The 29-year-old partners compatriot Almada in the middle of the park as he ranks joint-second for goals scored (12) and key passes (62) in MLS. Acosta's fine performances for the Orange and Blue has seen him return a WhoScored rating of 7.67.
Lucas Zelarayan (Columbus Crew) - 7.88
The player of the 2023 MLS season so far, Columbus Crew's Lucas Zelarayan has returned a WhoScored rating of 7.88 in the first half of the campaign. The Armenian has been directly involved in 16 league goals this season, scoring 10, and ranks among the top 10 players for shots (66), key passes (55) and successful dribbles (73) to cap what has been a superb year to date.
Christian Benteke (DC United) - 7.39
Former Premier League mainstay Christian Benteke features in attack having excelled for Wayne Rooney's DC United in 2023. The Belgian has scored eight and provided two assists for the capital side, and has been an absolute nightmare to come up against having won at least 58 more aerial duels (170) than any other player to return a WhoScored rating of 7.39.
Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC) - 7.36
Partnering Benteke on the frontline is Nashville SC goal machine Hany Mukhtar. The German leads the way for goals scored (13) in MLS this season, and ranks joint-second for assists (7) in the division. Only Denis Bouanga (89) has had more shots than Mukhtar (88) in 2023, with the 28-year-old good value for his inclusion with a WhoScored rating of 7.36.
