The 2023 MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi winner will be known on Decision Day (Oct. 21). Beforehand, who's in the lead and could claim the year-end trophy?
A quick reminder: After goals, assists are the main tiebreaker.
Player | Team | Stats |
|---|---|---|
1. Luciano Acosta | FC Cincinnati | 15g, 12a |
2. Hany Mukhtar | Nashville SC | 15g, 10a |
3. Giorgos Giakoumakis | Atlanta United | 15g, 3a |
4. Dénis Bouanga | LAFC | 14g, 6a |
5. Cucho Hernández | Columbus Crew | 13g, 11a |
6. Dániel Gazdag | Philadelphia Union | 13g, 10a |
7. Brian White | Vancouver Whitecaps | 13g, 5a |
8. Christian Benteke | D.C. United | 13g, 4a |
9. Alan Pulido | Sporting Kansas City | 13g, 3a |
10. Cristian Espinoza | San Jose Earthquakes | 12g, 11a |
- Stats: 15g, 12a
- Next game: Sept. 30 at TOR
- Remaining games: 4
It's been a career year for Luciano Acosta, who is among the driving forces behind FC Cincinnati's Supporters' Shield push. The two-time reigning MLS Player of the Month presented by CELSIUS is showing no signs of a let-up down the stretch.
- Stats: 15g, 10a
- Next game: Sept. 30 vs. SEA
- Remaining games: 5
- Stats: 15g, 3a
- Next game: Oct. 4 at PHI
- Remaining games: 3
The Greek international striker is used to winning Golden Boot awards; he's done it in Scotland with Celtic and with VVV-Venlo in the Dutch Eredivisie. Giakoumakis, who arrived in Atlanta last winter as a Designated Player, is the spearhead of an attack that also features Thiago Almada.
- Stats: 14g, 6a
- Next game: Oct. 1 vs. RSL
- Remaining games: 4
Bounaga has fully settled with LAFC, building off last year's midsummer arrival that helped fuel MLS Cup and Supporters' Shield titles. The Gabon international has 27 goals in 38 games across all competitions this season, spanning MLS play, Leagues Cup and Concacaf Champions Cup.
- Stats: 13g, 11a
- Next game: Sept. 30 vs. PHI
- Remaining games: 4
Cucho Hernández, with two hat tricks in his last four games, has surged into the Golden Boot conversation. The Columbus Crew's club-record signing is the centerpiece of their rise under head coach Wilfried Nancy.
- Stats: 13g, 10a
- Next game: Sept. 30 at CLB
- Remaining games: 4
Gazdag is proving last season's 22g/10a output, second only to Mukhtar, wasn't a fluke. The Hungarian international and penalty-kick specialist has registered his second straight season of double-figure goals and assists for Philadelphia.
- Stats: 13g, 5a
- Next game: Sept. 30 vs. DC
- Remaining games: 4
White has enjoyed a career year for the Vancouver Whitecaps, forming a fearsome partnership alongside Ryan Gauld up top.
- Stats: 13g, 4a
- Next game: Sept. 30 at VAN
- Remaining games: 3
If D.C. United squeeze into the Audi 2023 MLS Cup Playoffs, Benteke will play a vital role. The Belgian striker has shown why he scored over 80 Premier League goals, acting as the focal point of coach Wayne Rooney's attack.
- Stats: 13g, 3a
- Next game: Sept. 30 at STL
- Remaining games: 3
Pulido is showing what Sporting Kansas City brass knew when he became their club-record signing in December 2019: when healthy the Mexican international is among the continent's most lethal scorers. After several injury-plagued seasons, Pulido is enjoying his most fruitful year in MLS (and recently got a new long-term contract).
- Stats: 12g, 11a
- Next game: Sept. 30 at MIN
- Remaining games: 3
- Julián Carranza, PHI - 12g/5a
- Jesús Ferreira, DAL - 12g/4a
- Facundo Torres, ORL - 12g/4a
