Inter Miami CF Forward Gonzalo Higuaín Named 2022 MLS Comeback Player of the Year
October 27, 2022 – Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK – Major League Soccer today announced that Inter Miami CF forward Gonzalo Higuaín has been named the 2022 MLS Comeback Player of the Year after overcoming personal adversities in 2021, and injuries that kept him out of the starting lineup for 14 consecutive MLS games during the 2022 regular season. The iconic forward produced a club-record 16 goals and added three assists in Miami’s best regular season in its three-year club history in 2022.
Footage and photos of Gonzalo Higuaín’s family surprising him with the news are available HERE
Highlights of Higuaín’s incredible comeback season are available HERE Following Higuaín’s difficult 2021 on a personal level, Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville challenged the striker to contribute more offensively in his third MLS season. The Argentine forward responded with 16 goals this year despite starting only 20 games. His 0.82 goals per 90 minutes average was the best in MLS among players to log at least 1,500 minutes.
After scoring in consecutive games for the Herons at the beginning of the season on March 19 and April 2, Higuaín suffered a knee injury and did not return to Miami’s starting lineup until July 4. After July 12, the forward scored 14 goals, which were the second most in MLS behind only the Philadelphia Union’s Dániel Gazdag (15) over the span. Higuaín’s 14 goals in the second half of the season were crucial for a Miami team that set club records in points (48), wins (14), and goals scored (47).
Miami sat ninth in the Eastern Conference on September 13 before rattling off four consecutive victories, with Higuaín scoring in all four contests. Higuaín came through when the club needed him most, recording game-winning goals in the 82nd minute against the Columbus Crew (September 13), the 94th minute at D.C. United (September 18), and in the 86th minute at Toronto FC (September 30). He capped off the stretch by registering a brace in the October 5th win vs. Orlando City SC, which clinched Inter Miami an Audi 2022 MLS Cup Playoffs position.
On October 3, Higuaín announced he would retire from professional soccer after the 2022 MLS season, completing his illustrious 17-and-a-half-year career.
The MLS Comeback Player of the Year honors an MLS player who overcame injuries and/or adversity to achieve success during the 2022 regular season. The award was voted on by MLS club technical staff, media, and current MLS players.
Below is a breakdown of the voting results, with Higuaín edging out the San Jose Earthquakes’ Jeremy Ebobisse and CF Montréal’s Kei Kamara.
Voting Results
PLAYER MEDIA CLUB TOTAL
Gonzalo Higuaín (MIA) 18.60% 12.20% 19.10% 16.63%
Jeremy Ebobisse (SJ) 15.30% 14.60% 14.90% 14.93%
Kei Kamara (MTL) 7.30% 14.60% 19.10% 13.67%
A full list of previous MLS Comeback Player of the Year award winners can be found below:
MLS Comeback Player of the Year
Season Player Club
2022 Gonzalo Higuaín Inter Miami CF
2021 Carles Gil New England Revolution
2020 Bradley Wright-Phillips Los Angeles Football Club
2019 Jordan Morris Seattle Sounders FC
2018 Gyasi Zardes Columbus Crew SC
2017 Clint Dempsey Seattle Sounders FC
2016 Chris Pontius Philadelphia Union
2015 Tim Melia Sporting Kansas City
2014 Rodney Wallace Portland Timbers
2013 Kevin Alston New England Revolution
2012 Eddie Johnson Seattle Sounders FC
2011 David Beckham LA Galaxy
2010 Bobby Convey San Jose Earthquakes
2009 Zach Thornton Chivas USA
2008 Kenny Cooper FC Dallas
2007 Eddie Johnson Kansas City Wizards
2006 Richard Mulrooney FC Dallas
2005 Chris Klein Kansas City Wizards
2004 Brian Ching San Jose Earthquakes
2003 Chris Armas Chicago Fire
2002 Chris Klein Kansas City Wizards
2001 Troy Dayak San Jose Earthquakes
2000 Tony Meola Kansas City Wizards
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