1996

Landon Donovan MVP Award: Carlos Valderrama

Name: Landon Donovan MVP Award 1996
Start: 1996-01-01
Location: Major League Soccer

4 goals, 19 assists

Winner

Carlos Valderrama dazzled fans with his vision and passing in MLS's inaugural season, leading Tampa Bay Mutiny to a strong first campaign.

20 other awards

Award	Winner	Team
MLS All-Star Game MVP	Carlos Valderrama	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Best XI	Tony Meola	MetroStars
MLS Best XI	Eddie Pope	D.C. United
MLS Best XI	Alexi Lalas	New England Revolution
MLS Best XI	Robin Fraser	Colorado Rapids
MLS Best XI	Carlos Valderrama	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Best XI	Marco Etcheverry	D.C. United
MLS Best XI	Tab Ramos	MetroStars
MLS Best XI	John Harkes	D.C. United
MLS Best XI	Roy Lassiter	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Best XI	Eduardo Hurtado	LA Galaxy
MLS Best XI	Stern John	Columbus Crew
MLS Coach of the Year	Thomas Rongen	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Comeback Player of the Year	Chris Henderson	Colorado Rapids
MLS Cup MVP	Marco Etcheverry	D.C. United
MLS Defender of the Year	Eddie Pope	D.C. United
MLS Goalkeeper of the Year	Mark Dodd	Dallas Burn
MLS Golden Boot	Roy Lassiter	Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Newcomer of the Year	Steve Ralston	Tampa Bay Mutiny
US Open Cup Champion	D.C. United	D.C. United

30 total winners

Year	Winner	Team	Stats
2025	Lionel Messi	Inter Miami CF	28 games, 20 goals, 16 assists
2024	Evander	Portland Timbers	31 games, 15 goals, 18 assists
2023	Luciano Acosta	FC Cincinnati	31 games, 13 goals, 18 assists
2022	Hany Mukhtar	Nashville SC	23 goals, 11 assists
2021	Carles Gil	New England Revolution	4 goals, 18 assists
2020	Alejandro Pozuelo	Toronto FC	9 goals, 10 assists
2019	Carlos Vela	LAFC	34 goals, 15 assists
2018	Josef Martinez	Atlanta United	31 goals
2017	Diego Valeri	Portland Timbers	21 goals, 11 assists
2016	David Villa	New York City FC	23 goals, 5 assists
2015	Sebastian Giovinco	Toronto FC	22 goals, 16 assists
2014	Robbie Keane	LA Galaxy	19 goals, 14 assists
2013	Mike Magee	Chicago Fire	21 goals
2012	Chris Wondolowski	San Jose Earthquakes	27 goals
2011	Dwayne De Rosario	D.C. United	13 goals, 8 assists
2010	David Ferreira	FC Dallas	7 goals, 13 assists
2009	Landon Donovan	LA Galaxy	12 goals, 8 assists
2008	Guillermo Barros Schelotto	Columbus Crew	7 goals, 19 assists
2007	Luciano Emilio	D.C. United	20 goals, 5 assists
2006	Christian Gomez	D.C. United	9 goals, 13 assists
2005	Taylor Twellman	New England Revolution	17 goals
2004	Amado Guevara	MetroStars	9 goals, 10 assists
2003	Preki	Kansas City Wizards	12 goals, 17 assists
2002	Carlos Ruiz	LA Galaxy	24 goals
2001	Alex Pineda Chacon	Miami Fusion	8 goals, 12 assists
2000	Tony Meola	Kansas City Wizards	16 shutouts
1999	Jason Kreis	FC Dallas	18 goals, 15 assists
1998	Marco Etcheverry	D.C. United	8 goals, 13 assists
1997	Preki	Kansas City Wizards	12 goals, 17 assists