As a record-breaking regular season draws to a close for St. Louis CITY SC, the club can now look forward to the cherry on top.
Six players, along with CITY head coach Bradley Carnell, are up for Major League Soccer’s year-end awards, including most valuable player candidate Roman Bürki. The 32-year-old goalkeeper played every minute of St. Louis’ first 32 league matches, while recording eight clean sheets. Only one keeper for an expansion team (Brad Guzan, Chivas USA) recorded 100 saves quicker than Bürki, who has demonstrated all season why CITY sporting director Lutz Pfannenstiel targeted him as a priority acquisition last year.
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Of course, it takes more than eye-popping stats for a keeper to win MLS’ Landon Donovan MVP Award. In fact, only one goalie in league history has received MVP honors. But Bürki, CITY’s first captain, has been a game-changing force in goal for St. Louis, serving as the club’s unquestioned leader and lifting the team to his all-world level. Naturally, he’s also in the running for the Allstate MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award.
Tim Parker, CITY’s vice captain who wore the armband while Bürki received the night off last week in Vancouver, is a contender for MLS Defender of the Year. A fan favorite in St. Louis, Parker has helped fortify the back line while netting a career-high four goals as the season has unfolded.
In the midfield, Eduard Löwen is up for MLS Newcomer of the Year, which recognizes a player with previous professional experience who made his league debut in 2023. One of St. Louis’ most important players, Löwen enters the final matchday of CITY’s season tied for third in the league with 14 assists.
Aziel Jackson has similarly made a name for himself this season, earning a valuable role with St. Louis’ senior squad after beginning the year with CITY2 in MLS Next Pro. The 21-year-old is a nominee for MLS Young Player of the Year, which goes to the league’s top player age 22 or younger.
After missing more than a year with a knee injury, defender Joakim Nilsson is a contender for MLS Comeback Player of the Year. Nilsson, whom Pfannenstiel believes could be one of the best defenders in MLS, fought his way back and debuted for St. Louis in August.
Nilsson’s fellow defender, Josh Yaro, is in the mix for the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, which recognizes an MLS player dedicated to community improvement and social enrichment. Carnell, meanwhile, is a candidate for Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year honors.
Winners are determined through votes from MLS players, coaches and administrators, and select media members. Voting closes October 23. Fans can vote for the AT&T 5G Goal of the Year and MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate by casting their votes on MLSsoccer.com. The voting process for fans begins on October 30.
