After a record-setting second professional season with Atlanta United 2, Arif Kovac is the MLS NEXT Pro MVP and a member of the league’s Best XI.
Kovac was an absolute monster in his Golden Boot campaign, scoring 20 goals and adding 3 assists in 1,910 minutes of play. Kovac battered opposing goals with 80 shots, 42 on target. His 3 assists underplay just how impactful he was in creating goals for his teammates, too, with 29 key passes for the season.
If we could only highlight one match from a magical season, it would have to be Matchweek 11 against Huntsville City. After going down early, Kovac set a league record for most goals and goal contributions in a single match with 5 goals and an assist to earn a 6-2 comeback win. This was one of his three Player of the Matchweek honors of the season. It was performances like this and his highly productive partnership with Playmaker of the Year Cameron Dunbar,that propelled Atlanta United 2 to the team’s first-ever post-season appearance.
You can relive each of Kovac’s club record-setting Golden Boot goals in this official MLS NEXT Pro compilation.
The future seems bright for Arif Kovac as he and his representatives consider what is best for his future. Kovac joined Atlanta United’s academy in July of 2024 alongside Santiago Pita with a pre-contract for the 2025 season. Things started pretty quiet that year for Arif before he got his first chances under newly elevated coach Jose Silva. He began 2026 in competition with former Atlanta United Academy product Liam Butts and former Minnesota Homegrown Player Patrick Weah for the starting spot. By mid-April, Kovac was firmly in the starting role and didn’t look back. His strong run of form earned him a couple of opportunities to join the first team on the bench this year, and likely deserved more, with Atlanta United struggling to score goals from one of the most expensive attacks in the league.
Atlanta United will need proven and affordable roster depth in the attack to support newly-signed Designated Player Breel Embolo. Both Embolo and Kovac have excellent size, mobility, presence in the attacking box, and control of the ball with their feet and head. This could be an iconic duo that Atlanta United could rely on for years. But there’s a catch. Europe may already be calling Kovac, so Atlanta’s reported offer of a first-team contract may have plenty of compelling competition.
Congratulations on a remarkable season, Arif, and thank you for giving us something to celebrate.