<p><strong><a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=tv_box_link&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1000lS8e&amp;ct=BolavipUS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">Inter Miami and Nashville SC</a></strong> share a similar history but very different paths, both played their first games in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/mls" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Major League Soccer</a> in 2020, and while <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/inter-miami" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Inter Miami </a>was a trainwreck almost from the start, The Boys in Gold have been a standard bearer for the last three seasons.</p>



<p><strong><a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/nashville" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Nashville SC</a></strong> has made the playoffs in each of their three seasons and Hany Mukhtar has been the team’s unquestionable star. The German has 65 goals and 35 assists in 119 matches for the Tennessee side.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/video-lionel-messi-scores-long-range-goal-for-inter-miami-20230815-BUS-46937.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230815_BUS_46937_Lionel-Messi-13.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="Inter Miami defeated Philadelphia Union 4-1 to go through the 2023 Leagues Cup final, where Lionel Messi will be looking to win his first title in the United States.
" title="Lionel Messi helps Inter Miami reach 2023 Leagues Cup final" publication_id="BUS#20230815#BUS#46937"></div>


<p>Not only that, <strong>Hany Mukhtar</strong> is the reigning MVP of Major League Soccer and is a strong case to win the award again this season as he leads the league in goals with 13, but then there is a guy called <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/lionel-messi" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Lionel Messi</a>.</p>



<h2>Can Messi catch up to stats leaders in MLS 2023?</h2>



<p>The answer is yes, as insane as it sounds if Messi scores at the rate he is scoring in MLS play, the World Cup winner could possibly finish the MLS season with 15 goals.</p>



<p><strong>Mukhtar is at 13 after 23 weeks,</strong> in <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/leagues-cup" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Leagues Cup</a>, Messi is at 9 in 6 games. Messi will play Charlotte, one of the worst defensive teams in the league twice, <strong>New York Red Bulls, Nashville, Atlanta United, Toronto FC, Orlando City, and NYCFC.</strong></p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/mls-2023-salaries-top-25-highest-paid-players-20230517-BUS-1719.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230517_BUS_1719_Sebastian-Driussi-1.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="The MLSPU put out the annual player salaries of all the teams, here is a look at the top 25 earners of MLS.
" title="MLS 2023 salaries: Top 25 highest paid players" publication_id="BUS#20230517#BUS#1719"></div>


<p>Messi will miss the match against Sporting KC due to South American World Cup qualifying and could miss the games against the Chicago Fire and/or Cincinnati also due to Argentina qualifying commitments in October.</p>



<p>While 13 assists may be out of the question, 15 goals is achievable especially with Messi having a knack for scoring braces, he has 3 braces in 5 games against MLS sides.</p>


        <div class="wp_fsn_relatedlinks" use="ALSO" link="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/mls-2023-salaries-list-of-bargain-players-20230519-BUS-2361.html" image="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https%3A%2F%2Fimages.bolavip.com%2Fwebp%2Fen%2Ffull%2FBUS_20230519_BUS_2361_Facundo-Torres-COVER.webp&amp;width=200&amp;height=200" excerpt="The following list showcases 25 players that are on bargain salaries and have tremendous upside either on the transfer market or for their clubs.
" title="MLS 2023 salaries: List of bargain players" publication_id="BUS#20230519#BUS#2361"></div>


<p>On Sunday the <a href="https://tv.apple.com/channel/tvs.sbd.7000?itsct=tv_box_link&amp;itscg=30200&amp;at=1000lS8e&amp;ct=BolavipUS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow">duel between Inter Miami and Nashville SC</a> will be historic for both sides, one of these teams will win an international championship, but it is also a showcase of the next battle Messi intends to win, best player in MLS against one of the best players of the league the last 3 seasons.</p>


Leagues Cup final duel: Lionel Messi vs Hany Mukhtar

Leagues Cup final duel: Lionel Messi vs Hany Mukhtar - Bolavip US

thumbnail

<p><strong>It has been an exciting <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/soccer/mls-2021-midseason-review-20210804-0026.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2021 season in MLS</a></strong>, with some great plays, goals, and storylines to keep any fan at the edge of their seats. The <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-england-revolution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New England Revolution</a> and<a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/seattle-sounders" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Seattle Sounders</a> have been the flag bearers throughout the regular season, being two of the league’s most consistent teams. While both Los Angeles clubs have disappointed and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/atlanta-united" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Atlanta United</a> have seen their expensive roster play below the playoff line for much of the season.</p>
<p>Dark horses like <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/new-york-city-fc" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NYCFC</a> and <a href="https://bolavip.com/en/topic/colorado-rapids" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Colorado Rapids</a> have emerged with statement wins and individual performances to keep an eye on come the playoffs that may shock many. <strong>One of the biggest questions now going down the stretch run in MLS is who the candidates for the Landon Donovan award at season’s end are.</strong></p>
<p>These top 5 candidates have all made a case to be considered for the top individual prize in all of MLS. What we have considered is contributions from goals, assists, leadership and team standing. <strong>Here are the top 5 candidates to win the MLS regular season MVP award.</strong></p>
<p style="text-align: center">
</p><div class="ck-youtube" id="youtube-14">    <span class="item first"></span>  <span class="item second"></span>  <span class="item third"></span> </div>
<p></p>
<h2>Raúl Ruidíaz</h2>
<div style="text-align:center">
<figure class="image">   <img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://bolavip.com/__export/1630339391351/sites/bolavip/img/2021/08/30/raxl_ruidxaz_crop1630339390775.jpg_22069893.jpg" width="740" height="412"><figcaption>    Raúl Ruidíaz (Getty)   </figcaption></figure>
<p></p></div>
<p>Seattle’s <strong>Raúl Ruidíaz</strong> is having one of the best individual seasons for a player in a long time, consider the scenario, Jordan Morris and Nicolás Lodeiro out injured for much of the season someone has to step up, and the Peruvian has. Ruidíaz leads the league in goals, 14, but besides clutch goals, it has been leadership that makes him one of the biggest reasons the Sounders are atop of the west without two key players. Ruidíaz did what a DP is supposed to do… step up.</p>
<h2>Valentín Castellanos</h2>
<div style="text-align:center">
<figure class="image">   <img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://bolavip.com/__export/1630339073392/sites/bolavip/img/2021/08/30/valentxn_castellanos_crop1630339072787.jpg_22069893.jpg" width="740" height="412"><figcaption>    Valentín Castellanos (Getty)   </figcaption></figure>
<p></p></div>
<p>NYCFC is a dark horse, winning games against big time opponents, the latest against New England where <strong>Valentín Castellanos</strong> scored two goals and is having a career year. It’s a team effort for NYCFC but Castellanos has stood out considerably and is coming into his own. Taty will be key come playoff time and has shown he can be a star in MLS, it also marked a year where Castellanos was called into the Argentine U23 squads.</p>
<h2>Carles Gil</h2>
<div style="text-align:center">
<figure class="image">   <img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://bolavip.com/__export/1630338918429/sites/bolavip/img/2021/08/30/carles_gil_crop1630338917668.jpg_22069893.jpg" width="740" height="412"><figcaption>    Carles Gil (Getty)   </figcaption></figure>
<p></p></div>
<p>One of the best midfielders in MLS, <strong>Carles Gil </strong>is the leagues assist leader and by a mile, his 15 assists are only second by 5 players who are on 8. Gil is the string puller for the Revs two power forwards Bou and Buksa. Once again Bruce Arena has a magic triangle with Gil playing the role of Marco Etcheverry to perfection.</p>
<h2>Dániel Sallói</h2>
<div style="text-align:center">
<figure class="image">   <img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://bolavip.com/__export/1630338853162/sites/bolavip/img/2021/08/30/dxniel_sallxi_crop1630338845891.jpg_22069893.jpg" width="740" height="412"><figcaption>    Dániel Sallói (Fox4KC)   </figcaption></figure>
<p></p></div>
<p>Out of nowhere <strong>Dániel Sallói</strong> is on an MVP season, already an All-Star and a league leader in goals and assists the Hungarian striker has been pivotal for Sporting KC. He may not be the biggest name on the list, but Sallói has done it all this season for Sporting KC and is on a career year.</p>
<h2>Hany Mukhtar</h2>
<div style="text-align:center">
<figure class="image">   <img loading="lazy" data-height="412" data-width="740" data-size="w:740,h:412" hspace="5" vspace="5" src="https://bolavip.com/__export/1630338753346/sites/bolavip/img/2021/08/30/hany_mukhtar_crop1630338752479.jpg_22069893.jpg" width="740" height="412"><figcaption>    Hany Mukhtar (Getty)   </figcaption></figure>
<p></p></div>
<p>Someone needs to take credit for Nashville SC’s unexpected third place 2021 MLS season. German <strong>Hany Mukhtar</strong> is tied at second as the leagues assist leader and has 8 goals this season. Mukhtar pulls the strings for a team that has only lost 2 games the whole season and when in doubt Nashville SC gets draws, in a league where earning points is key, Nashville are sitting pretty with an MVP caliber player, and a stingy defense.</p>
<p><span></span> </p>
<div class="ck-related-news">  <span data-src="/usa/contenidos/2021/06/08/noticia_0009.html" data-type="news"></span>  <p></p>
<div id="relatedNews-45">     </div>
<p></p></div><p></p>


MLS 2021: The top 5 MVP candidates so far

MLS 2021: The top 5 MVP candidates so far - Bolavip US

Latest news from Hany Mukhtar. Find out about all the news related to Hany Mukhtar on bolavip.com/en