Major League Soccer today announced Atlanta United midfielder Thiago Almada as the 2022 MLS Newcomer of the Year. The award recognizes the year’s most impactful new MLS player with prior professional experience.
The club released this behind-the-scenes recording of the moment Almada was informed he had won the award.
Almada recorded a team-high 18 goal contributions in an outstanding debut season in MLS. The Argentine midfielder joined Atlanta United as a Designated Player on Feb. 9, 2022, and made his MLS debut on March 13 against Charlotte FC. He started 25 of his 29 MLS appearances and recorded four games with at least a goal and an assist, tied for the most in a single season in club history.