Lionel Messi scored the most goals in MLS during the 2025 season, won the league MVP award, and helped Inter Miami win their first MLS Cup.
Messi's 29 goals in 2025 were the fourth most goals in MLS of all-time.
With 12 goals in 15 matches, Messi is yet again the favorite to be the league's top goalscorer in back-to-back seasons, but many players are hot on his tail.
Nashville SC's Sam Surridge was tied with LAFC's Denis Bouanga for the second most goals in the 2025 season, with each man scoring 24 goals, and is another favorite to top the charts this season.
Petar Musa and Nicolas Ferandez are both frontrunners for the golden boot with 13+ goals a piece, but there are still a lot of games to play.
2026 MLS Top Goalscorer Odds
Player (Team) | Goal Tally | Top Goalscorer Odds |
|---|---|---|
Lionel Messi (Miami) | 12 | +130 |
Petar Musa (Dallas) | 14 | +400 |
Sam Surridge (Nashville) | 12 | +600 |
Nicolas Fernandez (NYCFC) | 13 | +700 |
Tai Baribo (DC United) | 12 | +1100 |
Martin Ojeda (Orlando City) | 11 | +1200 |
Denis Bouanga (LAFC) | 10 | +1400 |
Ahoueke Denkey (Cincinnati) | 11 | +1400 |
Luis Suarez (Miami) | 10 | +1400 |
Preston Judd (San Jose) | 11 | +1600 |
Evander (FC Cincinnati) | 11 | +1600 |
Marcus Ingvartsen (San Diego FC) | 11 | +2000 |
Brian White (Vancouver) | 10 | +2000 |
Prince Osei Owusu (Montreal) | 11 | +2000 |
Odds updated: 8/18/2026
Many players are off to a hot start this season in the goal scoring department after the World Cup break. 16 players have scored double digit goals already, The list includes some established center forwards, like Musa, Fernandez, Messi, Brian White, and Martin Ojeda.
Hugo Cuypers was tied for the league-lead in goals, but left Chicago Fire to join Monterrey after the club signed Robert Lewandowski.
A surprise player is 18-year-old Julian Hall. Hall made his MLS debut in 2023 at just 15-years-old, but did not become an consistent player for the New York Red Bulls until last season when he played 26 games, including four starts.
In 2026, with USMNT legend Michael Bradley as his new head coach, Hall has started 18 of 18 games, and scored nine goals. The youngster is off to a hot start and may catch the attention of European squads eyeing a future star.
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