Smart Choices - Catalyst: Christian Benteke is the MLS Forward of the Year

This is Part 3 of 90min's Smart Choices award series presented by Continental Tires. Check back each day for new awards.

D.C. United's Christian Benteke impressed throughout the 2024 MLS season to finish as the league's top goalscorer and thus claim the Golden Boot award.

The 33-year-old built on his 14 goals scored in 2023—his first full season in MLS after joining from Crystal Palace—to total 23 goals in 2024, edging out Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez and 2023 Golden Boot winner Denis Bouanga to the summit of the goalscoring charts.

Benteke nearly single-handedly willed the Black and Red to an MLS Cup Playoff slot as became the third D.C. player to win the Golden Boot. However, D.C.'s 3–0 home defeat to Charlotte FC meant it was eliminated on Decision Day but that still doesn't take away the incredible season Benteke enjoyed.

MLS Forward of the Year: Christian Benteke

Several underlying statistics further illustrate just how excellent Benteke was during the 2024 regular season, his third season at Audi Field in the United States capital.

His .80 goals-per-match were the fifth-most in MLS, only behind a handful of players like Messi and Cucho Hernández—who didn't play as many games as Benteke. Only three of Benteke's goals came from the penalty spot as he remained a perfect three-for-three from 12 yards out.

Benteke tallied an expected goals (xG) figure of 18, just behind Bounga who had 21. When broken down into non-penalty xG, Benteke's 15.6 was second-to-none in MLS. While players like Bouanga and Hernández put up well over 120 shots, Benteke proved to be clinical with 23 goals from just 91 shots with 42 being on target.

The six foot three inch tall center-forward dominated in the air, winning 73.3% of his aerial duels. His 310 aerial duels won were by far the most in the regular season as D.C. teammate Lucas Bartlett was far behind with 110.

Benteke totaled the fourth-most touches in an opponents penalty area with 180, the most by a striker in MLS. The former Belgium international also managed two hat tricks in the regular season.

Benteke relied on his preferred stronger foot with 10 goals on his right right, nine goals via headers and one goal on his left foot.

Looking away from Benteke's individual numbers, the quality he possesses in the final third puts defenses on high-alert, meaning he attracts more attention and frees up space for teammates like Gabriel Pirani and Jared Stroud to score their respective six and three goals in 2024.

With Benteke proving he still has plenty left in the tank and the belief in him with a new contract through the 2025 season, D.C. aim to build around their star striker to clinch a postseason spot next term.

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