Carles Gil led MLS with 18 assists. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

NEW YORK – Major League Soccer Wednesday announced that New England Revolution midfielder Carles Gil was named its comeback player of the year.

Gil, a vital part of the Revs’ success, dished out a league-high 18 assists and added four goals as New England won the Supporters’ Shield.

Forced to sit out the majority of the shortened 2020 campaign due to a bone spur injury near his left heel, Gil led MLS in assists in playing 28 matches a year later, guiding Revs to their most prolific season. The Revs were 12-1-3 in the 16 matches in which Gil recorded a goal or an assist.

Seizing the spotlight early and often, Gil was named to the MLS team of the week on 10 occasions during the 35-week regular season. His comeback player of the year bid was solidified after the Spaniard recorded eight assists during a span of five matches early in the year – all victories. Gil collected 10 assists in the opening 10 games of the year – matching the MLS record for most assists from the start of a season.

Gil’s success led New England to its strongest regular season in the MLS Original’s 26-year history, as the Revs won the Supporters’ Shield, the No. 1 overall seed in the Eastern Conference for a first round bye, and a berth to the 2022 Concacaf Champions League.

The Revs are set to host an Eastern Conference semifinal in the MLS Cup Playoffs against New York City FC on Nov. 30 6:30 p.m. ET / FS1, FOX Deportes).

The comeback player of the year award was voted on by MLS club technical staff, media and current MLS players. Below is a breakdown of the voting results:

 

Voting Results

COMEBACK PLAYER PLAYER CLUB MEDIA TOTAL
Gil, Carles (NE) 19.80% 9.10% 16.70% 15.20%
Hernandez, Javier ‘Chicharito’ (LA) 6.30% 12.10% 19.70% 12.70%
Salloi, Daniel (SKC) 8.30% 15.20% 14.30% 12.60%
Blanco, Sebastian (POR) 8.30% 15.20% 9.40% 10.97%
Martinez, Josef (ATL) 7.30% 6.10% 14.30% 9.23%

MLS Comeback Player of the Year Winners
 

  • 2021: Carles Gil – New England Revolution
  • 2020: Bradley Wright-Phillips – Los Angeles Football Cub
  • 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

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.