In 2025, the top 5 highest goal scorers MLS 2025 paint a vivid picture of lethal finishers, veteran stars and breakout players lighting up the season. Below, KMSoccer breaks down who leads the Golden Boot race, how they achieved it, and why their goal-scoring runs matter.
Who are the top 5 goal scorers so far
As the MLS 2025 regular season nears its closing stages, these five players stand above the rest in goals scored. The numbers reflect MLS regular season tallies.
- Sam Surridge – 21 goals
- Lionel Messi (Inter Miami CF) – 20 goals
- Denis Bouanga (LAFC) – 19 goals
- Dejan Joveljić – 17 goals
- Evander (FC Cincinnati) – 16 goals
What makes these scorers stand out
Below are the standout features and trends for each of the five, revealing not just how many goals, but how and why they’ve been successful.
1. Sam Surridge – Leading the pack with power and position
Surridge has combined strength, good positioning, and consistency. Nashville SC have built much of their attack around him. He scores both.
2. Lionel Messi – Magic, Messi remains an all-around threat. His goals come, through-balls, and moments when defenders assume he won’t shoot. He contributes assists as well, helping drag Inter Miami into tighter games. His presence opens space for others—yet he still delivers in clutch moments.
3. Denis Bouanga – Speed, dribbling, finishing
Bouanga’s 19 goals show not just good striking but also creativity. He often turns defense inside out, carrying into space, then either finishing himself or setting up chances. His scoring rate.
4. Dejan Joveljić – A harder-working poacher
Joveljić is less flashy than players like Messi or Bouanga but highly effective. He makes intelligent runs, stretches defenses, and has good awareness in the box. Sporting Kansas City benefit.
5. Evander – Technical skill and scoring from midfield-forward link
Evander doesn’t have the classic striker role; he often drops deeper, helps in build-up, then surges forward. His goals tend to involve interplays, shots. FC Cincinnati’s attack flows better when he finds rhythm.
Trends & context in MLS 2025 scoring
Understanding top 5 highest goal scorers MLS 2025 requires seeing the bigger picture. Here are some trends and important context:
- High scoring across the board: The top few are separated by just a few goals. While Surridge leads with 21, the second and third spots are very close—20 and 19 respectively.
- Veteran presence: Messi, Bouanga are not newcomers; this shows MLS still rewards experience—not just flair.
- Midfield contributors matter: Evander and others who aid build-up are becoming more critical, not just pure strikers.
- Team tactics support high scoring: Clubs with good supply enable strikers to flourish.
- Golden Boot is tight: With just a goal or two difference separating the top spots, the Golden Boot race remains exciting.
Challenges and predictions for the final stretch
With the season nearing its end, here’s what to watch:
- Consistency under pressure: Matches with playoff implications tend to be tighter; chances fewer. Players who can keep scoring in those will shine.
- Injuries & suspensions: Even top scorers have dips; staying fit is critical.
- Squad rotations: Some clubs may rest star players in less crucial games, or focus on cups, which could affect totals.
Predicted final finish:
- Sam Surridge likely grabs the Golden Boot with his current pace, unless Messi goes on an extraordinary run.
- Bouanga might challenge strongly if LAFC continue dominating.
- Joveljić or Evander could finish in top five but would need hot streaks to catch the leaders.
Comparison with previous seasons
Examining top 5 highest goal scorers MLS 2025 compared to past seasons:
- The margin between 1st and 5th is smaller than in some previous years, suggesting greater depth.
- Scoring rates for top strikers remain high; MLS continues to evolve tactically and defensively, yet elite forwards are still finding ways.
- The presence of superstars (Messi) remains important not just for goals but for visibility and pulling defenses wide.
Conclusion
KMSoccer has tracked that the top 5 highest goal scorers MLS 2025 are:
- Sam Surridge – 21 goals
- Lionel Messi – 20 goals
- Denis Bouanga – 19 goals
- Dejan Joveljić – 17 goals
- Evander – 16 goals
These players illuminate why goals remain the most prized currency in MLS: for drama, for wins, and for individual glory. For fans wondering who will take the Golden Boot, the battle is still alive.
Want to dive deeper? We can analyze assist tallies, goals per 90 minutes, or how they perform in big matches. Which angle interests you next?
