Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada named MLS Young Player of Year

Atlanta United’s Thiago Almada won his second major MLS award on Monday when he was voted to be the Young Player of the Year.

Almada was named the Newcomer of the Year last season when he scored six goals with 12 assists. Almada built on that by scoring 11 goals and posting a league-high 19 assists this season. He received more votes than Orlando’s Duncan McGuire (10.7 average percent of vote) and Columbus’ Aidan Morris (6.91). Almada is also one of three finalists to be named MLS MVP.

“I’m happy; I think it’s an award that shows the work that I’ve put in and what I’ve accomplished during the season,” Almada said on Monday. “But as I’ve always said, the most important thing is the team. So we’re focused on that and I’m very grateful for from my teammates.”

The award is voted on by members of club front offices, players and journalists who cover teams and the league. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution doesn’t participate in voting. The award is for any player who is 22 years old or younger during the calendar year.

Almada also led Atlanta United in shots (109), shots on goal (43), chances created (93), big chances created (25), duels won (177) and fouls won (56). He scored two goals from penalty kicks and three from free kicks.

“I think it’s a recognition not just for him, but for the whole team,” manager Gonzalo Pineda said. “(It) has been very good, very consistent.”

Almada is the second Atlanta United player to receive an MLS award. Giorgos Giakoumakis was named the Newcomer of the Year last week.

Atlanta United will host Columbus on Tuesday in the second game of their best-of-three playoff series. Columbus won the first match 2-0.

For more content about Atlanta United

Follow me on Twitter @DougRobersonAJC

On Facebook at Atlanta United News Now

On Instagram at DouglasDavidRoberson

Atlanta United coverage on The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Southern Fried Soccer podcast can be found

Apple - https://apple.co/3ISD6Ve

Spotify - https://spoti.fi/3L8TN0C

Google podcasts - https://bit.ly/32KlZW3

If you are listening to us for the first time, please follow us on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcast ... and if you like what you hear, please give us a good rating so we can grow the show. If you have questions about the MLS team, you can email Doug Roberson at droberson@ajc.com, DM him on Twitter @dougrobersonajc or call 404-526-2527.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a special offer for our podcast listeners. If you subscribe today, you can get three months of unlimited digital access for just 99 cents. That’s all of our sports coverage, politics, breaking news, investigations, food and dining, and so much more on AJC.com. Plus, access to our ePaper and our assortment of newsletters. So, join our community by going to subscribe.ajc.com/podcasts that’s subscribe.ajc.com/podcasts so you always know what’s really going on.

Atlanta United’s 2023 MLS schedule

Feb. 25 Atlanta United 2, San Jose Earthquakes 1

March 4 Atlanta United 1, Toronto FC 1

March 11 Atlanta United 3, Charlotte FC 0

March 18 Atlanta United 5, Portland 1

March 25 Columbus 6, Atlanta United 1

April 1 Atlanta United 1, New York Red Bulls 0

April 8 Atlanta United 1, New York City FC 1

April 15 Atlanta United 2, Toronto FC 2

April 23 Atlanta United 2, Chicago 1

April 29 Nashville SC 3, Atlanta United 1

May 6 Inter Miami CF 2, Atlanta United 1