Just a single game remains in the 2024 MLS regular season, and you know what that means: this year’s superlatives and awards are right around the corner. Following this weekend’s Decision Day action, we’ll have all of the facts and figures needed to determine who this year’s Landon Donovan MVP is going to be, along with the Coach of the Year, Defender of the Year, and more. But here at MNUFC, there’s one award that we’re pretty certain is already locked up (are you listening, voters?): Comeback Player of the Year.
To say that 2024 has been a return to form for the ever-versatile Finnish-army knife that is Robin Lod would be more than an understatement; it would be downright disrespectful. It’s been a career year for Minnesota United’s midfield maestro, and after missing 24 games in 2023 due to a torn meniscus injury, it’s been quite the way to return to action.
I took a look at the record books to see just how special this season has been, and they didn’t disappoint. Unfortunately, fans don’t get to vote for this award, but let’s make sure that the voting media, players, and sporting staff members across the league get a chance to see all of Robin’s accomplishments in one place, okay? Share this list of five reasons he should be the undisputed Comeback Player of the Year with everyone you know, and tell them all to do the same. Eventually, it’ll get around to the people that need to see it, right?
Without further ado, here it is: all the hard-hitting proof that Robin Lod has had the comeback of the season:
1. MNUFC MVP
It’s no secret that Lod has been the most productive player at Minnesota United this season. His 21 goal contributions are far and away the highest in the squad, with only Bongokuhle Hlongwane even getting close with 15. Lod has consistently been the biggest threat on his team this season, with his incredible passing range giving him the perfect skillset to notch 15 assists and 6 goals in 31 games. That’s a goal contribution in almost three out of every four games. Not too shabby for a guy that just took a year off, eh?
2. Leveled Up
Prior to 2024, Lod’s highest single-season goal contribution tally was 14, a number he achieved in 2020 with 10 goals and four assists. He’s beating that mark by seven already, and there’s still another game to go. On top of that, he’s set to beat his own single-season appearance record of 31, with Saturday’s match bringing him up to 32 assuming he sees the field. He’s racked up 2,327 minutes along the way, once again becoming the heartbeat of this Loons side. This is the best, most consistent form of his 13-year career, meaning that not only has he returned to the role he had before his injury, he’s exceeded the heights he reached in the past. If that’s not a good way to return to action, I don’t know what is.
3. Rewriting the Books
Since joining the club in 2019, Robin Lod has been a key part of Minnesota United’s progress as a club. Though still a young franchise, he is undoubtedly a living legend for the Loons, and he further cemented that status by completely rewriting the record books in 2024. He became the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, now sitting at 31. Then, he became the all-time leader for most regular-season goal contributions in MNUFC's MLS history, with 57 (28 goals and 29 assists). That not enough for you? How about trying the club’s single-season assist record (15) and goal contribution record (21) with a chance to break it on Saturday against St Louis? The record books have been rewritten to reflect a truly historic season, and one of the club’s longest-serving players has taken his rightful seat at the top of several big lists.
4. All-Star, Anyone?
This one’s short and sweet. Look at the list of nominees for this award and tell me how many of them were All-Stars this year. Just one? Lod’s first half of 2024 was absolutely electric, earning him a spot on the MLS All-Star roster in Columbus, Ohio. He played the final 20 minutes of the first half, adding some quality passing and composure to the lineup.
5. League Standard
Now, I know I’ve hammered home the statistical significance of Lod’s season plenty already, but stick with me for just one more. There are only two players in the league with more assists than Robin Lod this year, Evander (18) and Luciano Acosta (19). Four more players are tied with him on 15, including a certain Lionel Andrés Messi. He’s among the league’s best providers, and considering the company he’s keeping in that conversation are all candidates for the MVP award, it’s even crazier to think this is his first season back on the pitch. =
Sure, I work for Minnesota United, but whether I work here or not, it’s hard to argue with the facts. Bias has got nothing to do with this shoutout. He’s shown no signs of last season’s injury, racking up 10 goal contributions in his first eight games back, and he’s ending the season on another strong note. I don’t get a vote, but I think it’s pretty clear at this point: Robin Lod deserves to be yours, and all of Major a league Soccer’s 2024 Comeback Player of the Year.
