New England Revolution’s Carles Gil Wins MLS MVP
New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil has won the Major League Soccer MVP award, the league announced on Tuesday.
Gil was a key part of the spectacular Revolutionary regular season run that saw the team win the Fan Shield and amass a record 73 points in MLS.
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The Spanish midfielder and club captain had 18 league-leading assists and four goals for the Revs in the 2021 season. Gil had 10 assists in New England’s first 10 games, tying the MLS record for most assists since the start of a season. He is the second Revs player to win the award, after Taylor Twellman in 2005.
“It is an honor for me to be named the MLS MVP,” Gil said in a team press release. “I want to thank everyone who voted for me, everyone who works at the club, our technical staff, our fans and especially my teammates. Together, we have had an unforgettable regular season. «
Although they won the seed for the MLS Cup playoffs, Gil and the Revolution were eliminated in the conference semifinals by future Eastern champions New York City FC, who will face the Portland Timbers in the final on Sunday. (watch LIVE on ABC / stream on ESPN +).
The MVP award is another end-of-season individual accolade for Gil, who was previously named Returning Player of the Year and included in the MLS Best XI. He is the third Spanish player to win the MVP title, following last year’s winner Alejandro Pozuelo (Toronto FC) and David Villa (NYCFC) in 2016.
Gil, 29, joined New England in 2019 as a Designated Player and was named Newcomer of the Year and in the MLS Best XI that season. He had missed most of the 2020 campaign with an injury to Achilles.
Other Revolution players who have won individual awards this season include Coach of the Year Bruce Arena and Goalkeeper of the Year Matt Turner.
Gil edged Nashville SC midfielder Hany Mukhtar, who finished second after leading MLS in aggregate goals and assists, and Seattle Sounders FC midfielder João Paulo, who finished third.
