Berlin's Hany Mukhtar is the top scorer in Major League Soccer.

The 27-year-old professional soccer player scored 23 times in 33 games for Nashville SC in the main round and was instrumental in getting the team into the playoffs.

"Even if the team's success is above everything, such an individual award is something very, very nice," said Mukhtar of the German Press Agency on Sunday.

The former German junior international won the top scorer title with a one-goal advantage over his two closest pursuers.

Mukhtar failed to score in the 1-0 (0-0) draw against Los Angeles FC on the last day of the game, but was involved in nearly all of his team's few dangerous offensive moves.

He had his best chance seconds before the 1-0 when his shot from a good eleven yards out was blocked to the corner.

With this he then gave the template for the lead by Teal Bunbury (52nd minute).

Mukthar is the first German and only the third European, after Serbian Nemanja Nikolic and Bradley Wright-Phillips (twice) from England, to become top scorer in MLS.

He is also a favorite for the Most Valuable Player of the Season award.

"For me, that's out of the question.

He's played a more important role for us than any other player for any other club," said coach Gary Smith.

Mukhtar scored 44.2 percent of all goals this season for Nashville, where he moved three years ago, and also provided 11 assists.

In the play-offs, Nashville has to go to Los Angeles again, on Saturday (9:00 p.m. CEST) against Galaxy.

"It's not easy for us, but we showed that we can beat anyone," said Mukhtar.

Both teams had 50 points in the Western Conference, LA Galaxy secured fourth place in the table and home advantage because of the better goal difference.

The winner of this duel meets Los Angeles FC, who have a bye as the best team in the Western Conference.

In the North American Major League Soccer there are play-offs after the main round, the winner of which is considered the champion.

First, the seven best teams in each of the Eastern and Western Conferences play off the final participants in the play-offs.

The winner of this game takes the title in the MLS.

In addition to Mukthar, Kai Wagner from Geislingen an der Steige with Philadelphia Union and Jasper Loffelsend from Cologne with Real Salt Lake also have chances of winning the championship.