Many seasons, you can make a case for up to four MVP candidates and argue over who should win. This year, it should be unanimous. It's Lionel Messi. He is by far the best player in the league and has been all season. 

Nonetheless, the candidate pool remains so strong that a few players who missed my top five should still be recognized for their incredible seasons.

Honorable mentions

Vancouver Whitecaps FC striker Brian White has scored a career-best 20 goals for the Western Conference leaders, and Nashville SC striker Sam Surridge has netted 19 tallies for the Supporters' Shield champions. 

Luis Suárez delivered a season nobody saw coming after the way last year ended, notching 16 goals and 12 assists for Inter Miami. Denis Bouanga produced another exhilarating season for LAFC, scoring 18 goals. Plus, Anders Dreyer backed up his Best XI season with another outstanding campaign for San Diego, recording 15 goals and 13 assists.

With the honorable mentions sorted, let's get to the top five:

Evander's output dwindled toward the end of the season, but his stats tell the story: 14 goals and 17 assists is special, and several of his goals were stunning long-range strikes.

FC Cincinnati's Brazilian playmaker is deserving of yet another MVP finalist spot.

Close but no cigar for Carles Gil in the chase for a second MVP award.

His 13 goals and 13 assists for a young New England Revolution squad that claimed a Concacaf Champions Cup spot speak for themselves. 

But it's not just Gil's production around the goal; it's the way he plays the game. He's always moving around the pitch, covering so much ground and getting on the ball in important spots. 

Carles Gil is simply a joy to watch.

What a season for Petar Musa.

Second only to Messi in the Golden Boot presented by Audi race with 22 goals, the Croatian striker has put together an incredible year.

He's carried FC Dallas near the top of the Western Conference standings all season and has remained among the MVP favorites.

This season was different than Mukhtar's 2022 MVP-winning campaign. Like Gil, it wasn't just about all the goals and assists, despite tallying 17g/8a thus far.

It's more about his leadership and his style of play. I saw an unselfishness in his game this year that stood out. He helped in the build-up and was the most important piece in the attacking third for the Supporters' Shield winners.

In any other year, Hany might have done enough to capture a second MVP award.

Is this even a debate anymore?

Messi leads the league in goal contributions (42) from 26 goals and 16 assists. Nobody else is close. He carries Inter Miami in a way that no other player in MLS can.

This is the easiest MVP vote ever, and ballots should be unanimous. It's time to crown our first three-time MLS MVP!