The 2024 Major League Soccer Golden Boot race came to a close on Decision Day with a certain former Liverpool and Crystal Palace player claiming this year’s top goalscorer award.
33-year-old veteran striker Christian Benteke scored 23 goals during the regular season to claim the Golden Boot award. DC United relied on Benteke to find the back of the net again and again in 2024, but it wasn’t enough to lift the team to an MLS Cup Playoff spot.
Meanwhile, Inter Miami stars Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez scored 20 goals in a historic season for the South Florida club. The duo combined for 40 goals to account for 51% of Miami’s 78 league goals as the Herons clinched the Supporters’ Shield title and collected a season-high 74 points.
2023 Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga scored 20 goals for LAFC to help the team clinch first place in the Western Conference over rivals LA Galaxy. Columbus Crew’s Cucho Hernandez scored 19 league goals to finish second in the Eastern Conference as Wilfried Nancy’s side eye a second straight MLS Cup title.
Here are the best goals from the five finalists for this year’s Golden Boot.
As Benteke finds himself in the twilight of his career, he has become accustomed to sitting deep and taking on the role of poacher, going above defenders to center home and finish off loose balls.
However, this run against Minnesota United was nothing short of impressive. Benteke makes nine of the Minnesota defense before showing his composure and physicality to hold onto the ball and slide his shot just under the keeper.
Teams know what’s coming when Bouanga gets the ball down the left, but they can’t stop it.
It’s almost a given that the Gabonese international will cut onto his favored right foot to fire a shot at goal, and that’s exactly what he did here.
Every team in MLS knows the danger of conceding a free kick near their own box when Messi is on the other team.
Messi found himself on a free kick in a perfect position just to the left of the Columbus goal. The 37-year-old curled in a perfect effort around the crew wall en route to Miami winning the supporters’ shield.
Suarez played a vital role in Miami clinching the best regular season in MLS history with his first-half brace against the New England Revolution.
Miami found themselves 2-0 up early and El Pistolero scored a brace just before the break to level the game. His second goal of the game was vintage Suarez as Miami’s number 9 cut inside before firing home a well-placed effort to level the scores.
Hernandez continues to show why he is the most complete striker in MLS with this stunning free kick against Sporting Kansas City to complete his hat trick.
The former Watford striker is capable of holding onto the ball, playing as a poacher as he heads and scores from set pieces like he did against SKC.
