Almada, Giakoumakis and Robinson named finalists for 2023 MLS Year-End Awards

ATLANTA (Oct. 26, 2023) – Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Miles Robinson have been named finalists for MLS Year-End Awards, the league announced today. Almada is one of three finalists for both the Landon Donovan MLS MVP and Young Player of the Year after recording 11 goals and a league-high 19 assists. Giakoumakis is a finalist for Newcomer of the Year, as the forward scored 17 goals and finished tied for second in the Golden Boot race in his first season in MLS. Meanwhile, Robinson is a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year, as the defender started 26 matches and scored two goals this season, returning from a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in 2022.

Among the finalists are individuals representing 13 MLS clubs, with the winners set to be announced throughout the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs. Atlanta United, FC Cincinnati and St. Louis CITY SC are the most represented clubs among the 2023 MLS Year-End Awards contenders with finalists in four award categories each.

22-year-old World Cup winner, Almada was named a finalist for both MLS MVP and Young Player of the Year awards after finishing second in the league in goal contributions (30) while leading MLS and setting a single-season club record with 19 assists.

28-year-old, Greek International and MLS All-Star Giakoumakis proved to be one of the league’s most dangerous strikers during his debut season, scoring 17 goals and adding three assists in only 1,791 minutes of play. He finished tied for second in the Golden Boot race, without taking a penalty kick, and his .85 goals per 90 minutes also ranked second in MLS.

After suffering an Achilles tendon injury that kept the center back out for 25 games in 2022 and forced him to miss the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Robinson returned to start 26 of his 27 MLS appearances in 2023. He finished the campaign with two goals and an assist while also leading Atlanta in aerial duel success at 72.5%.

A full list of the 2023 MLS Year-End Awards finalists can be found here.

Atlanta United will open the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs at Columbus Crew on Wednesday, Nov. 1, (7:30 p.m., FS1, MLS Season Pass, Star 94.1, La Mejor). Round One is a Best-of-3 format with Atlanta scheduled to host Columbus at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for Game 2 on Tuesday, Nov. 7 (7:00 p.m. MLS Season Pass, 92-9 The Game, La Mejor). If there is a Game 3, it will be Sunday, Nov. 12 (7:00 p.m., MLS Season Pass, Star 94.1, La Mejor) in Columbus.