Ranking the Top 75 MLS Players of 2024: 38. Adilson Malanda

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Adilson Malanda is one of the best young center back prospects in Major League Soccer. The lengthy Frenchman was the star of the backline on the best defensive team in the Western Conference. That defense probably ceded more shots than they would have liked, but it allowed Kristijan Kahlina to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award. Malanda's side gave up just 37 goals, which was second-best in the league to the Seattle Sounders. Charlotte earned a fifth-place finish in the East under Dean Smith and Malanda played a large role in the success.

At one point in the 2024 season, Malanda was on pace to score nearly 400 goals, but only ended up with a single tally. All this silliness means to say is that Malanda scored eight minutes into Charlotte's season and never hit the back of the net ever again. It was a good one, too. Malanda nodded a header off the underside of the crossbar and in against NYCFC to record his one and only goal of his professional career. The 1-0 victory and clean sheet set the tone for the rest of the year. He played and started 35 total MLS matches.

Malanda's underlying stats do not do him fair justice, but there's a reason why Premier League Leicester City is keeping an eye on the 23-year-old. He has the profile of a player that will make the move back to Europe in the near future, but for now he has stuck in Charlotte. Malanda was a candidate for the Defender of the Year award as well. He hit on 5.57 long balls per 90 and recovered 156 total balls throughout the season. He completed a grand total of 1,686 passes at the back. Malanda comes in at No. 38.

38) ADILSON MALANDA | DEF, CLT | STATS (PERCENTILE)

5.57 ACCURATE LONG BALLS PER 90 (94%)

156 RECOVERIES (96%)

1,686 SUCCESSFUL PASSES (94%)

MLS DEFENDER OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE