It took a while, but when Toronto made a run to the 2018 Concacaf Champions League final, even media in Mexico began to discuss Giovinco as among the best players not only in MLS, but on the entire continent. Giovinco only had goal involvements on 50.3% of Toronto’s goals in his three-year run. So far, the German-born star has figured in 60.7% of his team’s goals since the start of the 2021 MLS campaign. And what makes Mukhtar’s challenge to that total even more remarkable is he’s doing it with considerably less support. That mark was set by Toronto FC’s Giovinco between 20 with half a season to go. With 82 goal involvements (goals + assists) since the start of the 2021 season, Mukhtar is also 10 shy of the record for a three-season stretch.

For all the sensational clusters of seasons players like Sebastian Giovinco, David Villa, Carlos Vela and Josef Martinez put together over the last decade, none ever accomplished either feat. If he accomplishes either, he would be the first player in MLS history to do so in back-to-back seasons, which is pretty remarkable for a league that now more than a quarter-decade old. And since he also serves as Nashville’s best chance creator he might be considered even more likely to win a second consecutive MLS MVP award. When oddsmakers next post odds for the MLS Golden Boot winner, Mukhtar is bound to be the solid favorite.

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