Anders Dreyer was the most creative player in Major League Soccer in 2025, registering 17 primary assists in 34 regular-season appearances.
The Danish winger created goals at a rate of 0.5 per 90 minutes, while he was eighth among all MLS players for chances created (82).
Dreyer’s form was key to San Diego FC’s record-breaking Expansion Season, finishing top of the West and just three points short of the Supporters’ Shield, while reaching the Western Conference Final in the MLS Cup Playoffs. Coupled with 19 goals, Dreyer also did enough to earn the prestigious MLS Newcomer of the Year award, while finishing second only to Lionel Messi in the MVP vote.
MLS doesn’t have a Playmaker of the Season award like the Premier League, but those creating chances and laying up goals are just as important as the ones scoring them. So, who are the leading lights in 2026?
MLS 2026 most assists predictions and odds
The 2026 season is still very young, but already, there are some clear trends forming and certain players standing out from a creative perspective.
Top favorites for 2026 MLS most assists
Anders Dreyer
As mentioned, Dreyer was one of the top creative forces in MLS last season and the primary assist provider. The Dane was the catalyst for SDFC’s record-breaking debut year in the league and, if MVP voting is anything to go by, the second-best player, period. There is always the danger of sophomore struggles, but San Diego have shown no signs of that so far, and neither has Dreyer, who has a joint-league-high three assists already.
Lionel Messi
Going by Major League Soccer’s definition of assists — which includes secondary/hockey assists — Lionel Messi was the king in 2025.
The Argentine was credited with 19 assists by the league, which was level with Dreyer, though he managed it in 602 minutes fewer than the Dane.
Messi also created six fewer chances than Dreyer, while his form exploded in the Playoffs, with seven assists going alongside his three goals — four more than any other player — firing Inter Miami to MLS Cup glory.
Even at 36 years old, Messi remains a relentless attacking force and the best player in MLS right now. But he’s yet to register an assist this season, instead scoring three goals in three games.
Evander
Evander was one of the best all-round attacking players in MLS last season, notching 18 goals and 14 assists — ranking fifth and third, respectively.
The Brazilian was just behind Messi on 77 chances created, while he was fourth in the league for passes into the opposition penalty area (76).
Evander helped fire FC Cincinnati to second in the Supporters’ Shield and the Eastern Conference semi-finals, and looks primed to come back strong again in 2026 — though he still has just one assist from three matches as Cincinnati have struggled.
Carles Gil
By his own lofty standards, former MVP winner Carles Gil had a bit of a down year in 2025. And yet, he was second in the league for chances created (102) and ninth for assists (9).
The Spaniard has long been one of the most dominant creative players in MLS and is absolutely vital to the New England Revolution’s chances.
Gil will look to be back among the big hitters in 2026, which is the final year of his contract — not including option years. He has just one assist in three appearances so far, but is creating at a clip of 2.35 per 90 minutes, so that’ll surely change.
Hany Mukhtar
Like Gil, Hany Mukhtar didn’t quite hit his usual MVP standards last season, but still managed eight assists from 91 chances created — the latter sixth in MLS.
Mukhtar did enough to keep Nashville incredibly dangerous, finishing sixth in the East and before losing 2-1 in a best-of-three against Inter Miami in the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Once again like Gil, Mukhtar has just one more guaranteed year left at Nashville, but after directly assisting Golden Boot battler Sam Surridge for four goals, the Coyotes will be expecting big things from him again in 2026.
Mukhtar isn’t off the mark for assists yet this season, but has two goals and has created eight chances.
Maxi Moralez
We couldn’t leave Maxi Moralez out of this equation. He’s now 39 years old, but is still one of Major League Soccer’s deadliest creative forces.
The veteran Argentine has kicked off 2026 with three assists and a goal in four appearances, creating eight chances to help NYCFC make an unbeaten start.
Moralez will need to have his minutes managed as the season goes on, but NYCFC will still be able to lean on him for creativity.
Most assists in MLS history
| Position | Player | Games | Assists |
| 1 | Landon Donovan | 340 | 109 |
| 2 | Brad Davis | 392 | 103 |
| 3 | Steve Ralston | 378 | 92 |
| 4 | Preki | 242 | 75 |
| 5 | Luciano Acosta | 272 | 75 |
| 6 | Javier Morales | 255 | 73 |
| 7 | Jaime Moreno | 340 | 70 |
| 8 | Carlos Valderrama | 175 | 69 |
| 9 | Marco Etcheverry | 191 | 69 |
| 10 | Julian Gressel | 263 | 68 |
Players in bold are still active in MLS. Players in italics are still active but do not play in MLS. Players listed by Primary Assists.
MLS most assists betting tips and strategies
Betting on MLS most assists requires a different approach than traditional match betting. Understanding market dynamics, timing, and value identification can significantly improve your chances of success.
Target players from contending teams: Historically, the player with the most assists has come from a team contending at the top of the regular-season standings, which primes them for a deep Playoff run.
With that in mind, teams like Inter Miami and LAFC are always places to start your search, alongside teams further down with creative talents — such as Gil at the Revs and Mukhtar at Nashville.
Consider set-piece takers: Players who take corners and free-kicks always have a greater chance of picking up more assists. For example, the Chicago Fire’s Philip Zinckernagel provided 12 primary assists last season, with a third of them coming from corners and free kicks.
Each-way betting: Consider each-way bets on players with odds between +800 and +2000. This allows you to profit if your selection finishes in the top 3-5 (depending on sportsbook terms) rather than needing them to win outright. Players like Evander, Pep Biel, and Carles Gil could be strong each-way candidates.
Where to bet: All major US sportsbooks offer MLS assist markets. Caesars Sportsbook, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Bet Rivers all provide competitive odds and frequent promotions around top league competitions. Compare odds across multiple books to ensure you’re getting the best value.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the MLS top scorer
Who is the all-time MLS assist provider?
Landon Donovan is the all-time MLS assist provider with 109 primary assists and 136 assists including secondary assists.
Who was the top assist provider in the 2025 MLS season?
Anders Dreyer provided a league-high 17 primary assists in 2025, one ahead of Lionel Messi. The pair were tied at the top on 19 when secondary assists were counted.
How are MLS assists counted?
It’s best to check with your bookmaker about how assists are counted before placing your bets. Major League Soccer counts secondary assists (a key pass that leads to a chance being created) within their final assist tally, though most other leagues and stats providers only count the pass that leads to a shot.
What are the current odds for the 2026 MLS top assister?
The 2026 MLS season has just started, but Lionel Messi and Anders Dreyer will once again be at the top of the betting charts.
Can you bet on the MLS most assists in the United States?
Yes, betting on the MLS top assist provider is legal and widely available at licensed sportsbooks in states where sports betting is legal. Major books like Caesars, FanDuel, Fanatics, and Bet Rivers all offer assist markets, including outright winner, top assister by team, and player assist totals.
How important are assists in MLS?
Assists are obviously vital to goals being scored. Without players creating chances, we would be limited to long-range efforts, own goals, and individual brilliance. But in MLS, the importance of assists is even greater, with this stat (using Major League Soccer’s definition) used as the primary tie-breaker in the Golden Boot race.
How many assists typically sees a player finish top?
The last two seasons have seen 16-17 primary assists be enough to top the charts, while both campaigns saw totals of 19 top the pile. There are no expansion teams in MLS this season, so the number of teams remains at 30, meaning a similar figure should be a good bet.