Atlanta United Midfielder Thiago Almada Named 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year
Published on October 25, 2022 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK - Major League Soccer today announced Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada as the 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year. The award recognizes the year's most impactful new MLS player who has prior professional experience.
Almada joined Atlanta United as a Designated Player on February 9, 2022, and made his MLS debut on March 13 against Charlotte FC. He opened his MLS account with a goal in his second appearance of the season, a 3-3 draw vs. CF Montréal on March 19 in which he helped Atlanta United erase a two-goal deficit in the 85th minute and earn a point. Almada led the club with 12 assists this season, a figure that tied for the seventh most in the league, and added six goals. He was one of only six players in MLS to record at least 12 assists and five goals during the season. Almada was selected to the MLS Team of the Week on five occasions (Weeks 11, 13, 25, 30, and 31).
Almada becomes the second Atlanta United player to earn this award after Paraguayan international Miguel Almirón was awarded in 2017 during the club's inaugural MLS season. Almada emerged victorious over fellow finalists and standout newcomers Juan 'Cucho' Hernández (Columbus Crew) and Djordje Petrović (New England Revolution).
Building on his success for Atlanta, Almada joined former Atlanta United midfielder Gonzalo 'Pity' Martinez as just the second player from Major League Soccer to earn a call-up with the Argentina National Team. The Argentinian native earned his first national team call-up in a set of friendly matches against Honduras (Sept. 23) and Jamaica (Sept. 27).
The Newcomer of the Year award was voted on by MLS club technical staff, media, and current MLS players. Below is a breakdown of the voting results.
Newcomer of the Year
Name Player Vote Club Vote Media Vote Average Vote
Almada, Thiago (ATL) 13.50% 19.10% 10.60% 14.40%
Hernández, Juan 'Cucho' (CLB) 12.40% 6.40% 21.10.% 13.30%
Petrović, Djordje (NE) 3.60% 8.50% 21.10% 11.07%
A full list of previous MLS Newcomer of the Year award winners can be found below:
MLS Newcomer of the Year Winners
Season Player Club
2022 Thiago Almada Atlanta United
2021 Cristian 'Chicho' Arango Los Angeles Football Club
2020 Lucas Zelarayán Columbus Crew SC
2019 Carles Gil New England Revolution
2018 Zlatan Ibrahimović LA Galaxy
2017 Miguel Almirón Atlanta United FC
2016 Nicolás Lodeiro Seattle Sounders FC
2015 Sebastian Giovinco Toronto FC
2014 Pedro Morales Vancouver Whitecaps FC
2013 Diego Valeri Portland Timbers
2012 Federico Higuaín Columbus Crew SC
2011 Mauro Rosales Seattle Sounders FC
2010 Álvaro Saborío Real Salt Lake
2009 Fredy Montero Seattle Sounders FC
2008 Darren Huckerby San Jose Earthquakes
2007 Luciano Emílio D.C. United
Major League Soccer Stories from October 25, 2022
- RSL Academy Trio Named to U-15 United States Youth National Team - Real Salt Lake
- Benjamin Cremaschi Called up to the U.S. U-20 Men's Youth National Team - Inter Miami CF
- MLS Disciplinary Committee Decisions Announced - MLS
- LA Galaxy Defenders Jalen Neal and Marcus Ferkranus Called up to U.S. U-20 Men's Youth National Team for Final Training Camp of 2022 - LA Galaxy
- Kayden Pierre Joins USA U-20 National Team - Sporting Kansas City
- Paul Arriola, Jesús Ferreira to Participate in USMNT Fitness Workouts from October 25-November 5 - FC Dallas
- Cowell, Tsakiris Called to United States U20 National Team Training Camp - San Jose Earthquakes
- Chris Brady and Brian Gutiérrez Called into U.S. U-20 Men's Youth National Team - Chicago Fire FC
- Caleb Wiley Called into U.S. U-20 Men's Youth National Team Training Camp - Atlanta United FC
- Daniel Edelman and John Tolkin Selected to Final Roster for United States U-20 National Team October Camp - Red Bull New York
- Atlanta United Midfielder Thiago Almada Named 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year - Atlanta United FC
- Atlanta United Midfielder Thiago Almada Named 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year - MLS
- Guatemala to Face Nicaragua in an International Friendly Match on Saturday, November 19 at Dignity Health Sports Park - LA Galaxy
- Sounders FC Announces Roster Decisions to Conclude 2022 Season - Seattle Sounders FC
- Homegrown Goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina Called to U.S. Men's National Team Fitness Workouts - Chicago Fire FC
- Philadelphia Union's Jim Curtin Named 2022 Sigi Schmid MLS Coach of the Year - MLS
- Nashville Soccer Club Defenders Walker Zimmerman and Shaq Moore Invited to United States Men's National Team Fitness Workouts - Nashville SC
- KC Power & Light District to Host Official World Cup Watch Parties - Sporting Kansas City
- New England Revolution Academy Highlights: October 25, 2022 - New England Revolution
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