New York Red Bulls Midfielder Lewis Morgan Named 2024 MLS Comeback Player of the Year

The Scottish attacker scored a team-high 13 goals after a season-ending injury in 2023

NEW YORK (Wednesday, November 6, 2024) – Major League Soccer today announced that New York Red Bulls midfielder Lewis Morgan has been named the 2024 MLS Comeback Player of the Year.

• Video of Morgan’s reaction to being named MLS Comeback Player of the Year is available here
• Highlights and photos of Morgan’s comeback season are available here
• View the mini documentary about Morgan’s recovery process here

During a stellar first year with the Red Bulls in 2022, Morgan led the club with 14 goals in the MLS regular season, which represented the most goals scored by a midfielder in a single season in team history. Morgan suffered multiple injuries in 2023, which kept him sidelined for the majority of the MLS regular season, limiting him to only five appearances and less than 300 minutes played.

On September 9, 2023, Morgan underwent hip surgery and was given a prognosis of an 80-to-85 percent chance of returning to play ever again, and only a 20-to-25 percent chance of returning to peak performance. Morgan came off the bench for his return to MLS play on February 25, 2024, competing for the first time in nearly nine months and scored for the first time since the injury on March 2 in a 2-1 victory against Houston Dynamo FC. After scoring a hat trick to fuel the Red Bulls' 4-0 win over eventual Supporters’ Shield winner Inter Miami CF on March 23, Morgan garnered Player of the Matchday honors for Matchday 6.

In his third season with the Red Bulls, the Scottish midfielder once again led the club in goals (13), was second on the team with seven assists, and ranked among the top three in minutes played (2,420) while starting in 26-of-29 games played.

Additionally, Morgan’s comeback and exceptional play aided the New York Red Bulls to their league-record 15th consecutive postseason berth. Morgan produced his second double-digit goal season with the Red Bulls, which ranks tied for second in club history for double-digit goal scoring seasons by a midfielder. He also became the 13th player in club history to record at least 20 career goals and 10 career assists for the club

The MLS Comeback Player of the Year honors an MLS player who has overcome a severe injury and/or adversity, and as a result missed a significant portion of the 2023 season and shown improved performance to achieve success during the 2024 regular season. The award was voted on by MLS club technical staff, media, and current MLS players.

Below is a breakdown of this voting results.

A full list of previous MLS Comeback Player of the Year award winners can be found below: