MLS top scorers: Chicho Arango looks to continue incredible RSL form

The Real Salt Lake forward has shown his class this season, firing Pablo Mastroeni’s side to the top of the Western Conference.

When former LAFC striker Cristian ‘Chicho’ Arango returned to MLS last season, Real Salt Lake had high expectations for their new Designated Player signing. Arango’s goals helped LAFC to their first-ever MLS Cup title in 2022 but his subsequent spell in Mexico with Pachuca was less successful.

The Colombian enjoyed a decent start to his time in Utah, notching six goals in 11 games after joining midway through the 2023 campaign. However this season, now fully integrated into this talented RSL team, he is proving himself to be one of the best all-round strikers in the league and has provided eight goals and three assists in ten MLS games.

His influence extends far beyond those statistics and he has quickly become a crucial cog in this well-honed RSL system. As the focal point of the attack Arango drops deep to link the play and release the likes of Diego Luna and Carlos Gómez on the flanks. He captains the Western Conference leaders and head coach Pablo Mastroeni has been full of praise for his star striker.

“Chicho’s doing everything that we’re asking. I think he’s playing with a ton of confidence,” Pablo Mastroeni told reporters after a recent 4-0 win over Chicago Fire. “I think one of the things he said to the group today before the game was, ‘If you want to be a champion, we have to conduct ourselves like champions, and that’s getting a result tonight.’”

Arango’s form has been incredible and his numbers impressive, but he finds himself in second place in the MLS scoring charts. Top spot belongs to Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi, who has scored nine goals in just seven appearances so far.

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