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MLS Atlanta United FC

Thiago Almada, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Miles Robinson Named Finalists for 2023 MLS Year-End Awards

October 26, 2023 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Atlanta United FC News Release


ATLANTA - 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.

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. The 22-year-old World Cup winner led an Atlanta attack that finished second in the league with 66 goals scored. He became the youngest player in MLS history to record double-digit goals and assists in a single season and the third player in club history, joining Miguel Almirón and Tito Villalba. Almada, who was named the 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year, earned a number of individual honors throughout the 2023 season, including being named an MLS All-Star and the Player of the Month for February/March, as well as player of the Matchday for Matchdays 1, 4 and 28.

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. The Greek international became the first player in club history to score in his first five MLS starts and just the second player in league history. The 28-year-old was named an MLS All-Star and voted Player of the Matchday for Matchday 27 after one of his three multi-goal performances in 2023.

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%.

The 2023 MLS Year-End Awards finalists earned the highest average votes from the following groups:

Current MLS first-team players

MLS clubs (coaches, technical directors/general managers)

Select media members representing local and national outlets who consistently covered the 2023 MLS regular season

The AT&T MLS Goal of the Year and MLS Save of the Year presented by Allstate will be decided by online voting at MLSsoccer.com with winners announced on Thursday, Nov. 9. Voting will take place over a seven-day span from Monday, Oct. 30 (12 p.m. ET) through Monday, Nov. 6 (5 p.m. ET).

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.

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