The Golden Boot of Major League Soccer 2024 pres. by Audi is drawing to a close with one more day on the cards to determine this year’s top scorer.
In an attack-heavy league like MLS, teams tend to prioritize having more quality up front than in defense, which makes for exciting Golden Boot races. That’s not to say that several teams in MLS don’t have good defenses, but more often than not the offensive talent in the league outweighs the defense.
MLS is fortunate to have several of the game’s top goal scorers who have plied their trade in Europe and are now lighting it up week in and week out in North America. Christian Benteke, Lionel Messi, Denis Bouanga, Luis Suárez and Cucho Hernández have found the back of the net numerous times in 2024 to remain at the top of the Golden Boot rankings.
Lionel Messi’s first season in MLS could not have started better. The 37-year-old former PSG player scored an incredible 10 goals in his first eight league appearances of the season. That includes back-to-back ties against Nashville SC and the New England Revolution.
The Herons were cruising through the early stages of the MLS season thanks to consistently brilliant performances from their superstar number 10.
Reigning Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga has done almost everything in his power to keep LAFC’s top scorer in front of goal. The Gabonese international is in the form of his life on the West Coast, having been fairly consistent throughout the regular season and is four goals clear of DC United’s Christian Benteke for top spot with 19 strikes.
The Columbus Crew’s excellent second season with Wilfried Nancy has been boosted by their talisman Cucho Hernandez. The Crew are favorites to lift the MLS Cup in December for the second straight season thanks to the Colombian’s 19 league goals for the Ohio-based club.
Former Crystal Palace and Liverpool striker Christian Benteke is on course to take home the goalscoring crown this season with 23 goals for DC United. Benteke is able to score so many goals thanks to his aerial prowess and his ability to intimidate would-be defenders off the ball in the opposition penalty area.
The 33-year-old started the season on fire with a hat trick against the New England Revolution and has continued his electric form throughout the season while the likes of Luis Suarez and Messi played fewer games due to their involvement in the Copa América while the latter suffered a serious ankle injury that delayed his return to MLS until September. While Messi was injured, Benteke continued to find the back of the net midway through the season to keep DC in the playoff picture.
Suárez returned to the field in Miami after Uruguay’s elimination from the Copa América determined to shoot late for the Golden Boot. El Pistolero has scored six goals in his last eight MLS appearances to climb the Golden Boot standings and has 18 goals with one match to go.
His best friend Messi has also scored three goals in as many games to take his tally for the entire season to 17 goals. However, Benteke has remained sharp and focused with nine goals in his last nine games for the Black and Reds to cancel out late efforts from Messi and Suarez.
