There was a late flurry from Georgios Giakoumakis on Decision Day, but the LAFC forward finished with the top prize.
Joe Brennanj4brennanWilliam GittinsWillGittUpdate: Oct 22nd, 2023 00:02 EDT
Kirby LeeUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con
There was great drama across MLS for Decision Day 2023, bringing to a close a thrilling regular season campaign. The 18 teams progressing to the post-season have all been confirmed, as have details of the two Wild Card fixtures taking place next week.
Alongside the Conference standings, there was another season-long competition that was brought to a close on Saturday evening; the 2023 MLS Golden Boot.
LAFC forward Denis Bouanga scored in his side’s 1-1 draw with Vancouver Whitecaps to clinch the award for top scorer. Bouanga’s opener took his tally to the season to 20 goals, an impressive record for someone who rarely plays as a central striker.
Your 2023 @MLS Golden Boot winner, Denis Bouanga!#LAFC MLS Golden Boot presented by @Audi pic.twitter.com/Qpbqi5rtX8
— LAFC (@LAFC) October 22, 2023
We take a look at the 2023 MLS top scorers…
3. Cucho Hernandez – 15 goals
The Columbus Crew striker returned to the league this season and continued his extraordinary scoring record in MLS. Cucho Hernandez has been a key part of one of the league’s hottest attacking units and the statistics back up his value.
He sits in the 95th percentile for non-penalty xG, total shots, assists, expected assisted goals, shot creating actions, passes attempted, progressive passes, progressive carries, successful take-ons, touches in attacking penalty area and progressive passes received. Quite the season for the Colombian forward.
Have a hit, Cucho! 🎯Watch live NOW for free on #MLSSeasonPass on @AppleTV: https://t.co/ZUvwFWifuD pic.twitter.com/cJI4JKax06
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2023
2. Luciano Acosta, Georgios Giakoumakis – 17 goals
FC Cincinnati are the 2023 Supporters’ Shield champions, and a lot of their success is down to Luciano Acosta who, with 17 goals and 14 assists, is just about the most lethal player MLS has to offer. His incredible numbers do not stop there, as Acosta also has over 4 progressive carries per game and more than three successful take-ons per 90.
Lucho heads it home! #AllForCincy pic.twitter.com/datqXrdpEu
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2023
Level with Acosta’s scoring tally is Georgios Giakoumakis. Of all the players to have scored 15 or more goals, Giakoumakis has by far the best goals-per-minute ratio, having played just 1791 across the season. He scored a final day brace to take his tally to 17 at the end of a deeply-impressive campaign.
Thiago Almada with the service. Giakoumakis with the finish and a first half brace. #WeAreTheA pic.twitter.com/TESK0Jazg5
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 21, 2023
1. Denis Bouanga – 20 goals
After a season of scintilating performances LAFC’s Denis Bouanga will take home the 2023 MLS Golden Boot award. The forward’s tally of 20 MLS goals was aided by a lightning-fast start to the campaign, in which he scored 10 goals in his first 12 games.
The league leader opens the scoring!Denis Bouanga with his 20th goal of the @MLS Regular Season.📺 Watch live: https://t.co/nCRWL8eoSB pic.twitter.com/k8zJeI2Pkl
— LAFC (@LAFC) October 22, 2023
