The Golden Boot race has only intensified since we last discussed it. The top has flipped positions, while everyone else has fallen off from the top two. With other competitions taking up the efforts of the very best in the MLS, the regular season is nearing its conclusion.
I have been reviewing the top contenders and narrowing down my selection to a smaller group, similar to what I did earlier in the month.
Two players have stood out as true contenders, while the others have struggled to keep up and contend.
With only two teams left in the league cup, it allows every player but one to focus on MLS play and scoring goals as we near the end of the MLS season.
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The MLS Golden Boot Race Intensifies
How the Rest of the Table fell
The majority of contenders were trailing behind Lionel Messi and Sam Surridge, who have been the leaders in this race since late June. Everyone else from Evander on down has slowly dropped their goal-scoring pace.
The drop in pace has Evander three goals behind Messi, who is in second, behind the 20 goals of Surridge.
It will take a multiple-goal performance for Evander and Baribo, who are both at 16, to make this race competitive on their end. Evander could very well win the MVP award this season thanks to his play that has elevated his team as a top seed in the East.
His role on his team is not to be the number one goal scorer but to set up everyone else around him. Evander has had to step up at times as the goal scorer due to Cincinnati struggling to find a number nine.
After the transfer window, Evander is expected to take a step back from goal scoring and be a provider of chances in the box.
The Two Contenders
Messi was at the top of the table thanks to his streak of multi-goal performances in July. His stellar pace put him on top, but it may not be enough for the Argentinian to win the award thanks to another top scorer.
Surridge for Nashville SC has been a surprise top player this season. The designated player from across the pond went from a goal scorer struggling for chances to a top option and a frontrunner for the Golden Boot.
Although his talent is undeniable at this level, it was a shock to fans that he was performing at such a pace.
Nashville is also a team that many had as a fringe playoff team that may not be able to make a real impact on the table or have any top performers that would push them over the edge.
Surridge and company have overperformed as they find themselves as one of the top teams in the league, while Surridge finds himself as a top scorer with a chance to outperform Messi.
Messi has nine games to play, compared to Surridge, who has six still left to play. It will be interesting to see how this race unfolds and whether the extra games for Messi will be the deciding factor.
Main Photo
Credit IMAGO/ZUMA Press Wire
Recording Date 22.08.2025