During the layoff that came between the conclusion of a thrilling MLS season and the beginning of the MLS Cup Playoffs, soccer fans and writers shifted their focus to the end-of-season awards. As always, the most notable of these is the chase for the Most Valuable Player Award. This year’s award is particularly interesting, with none of the projected frontrunners having ever been in the conversation before. In a league known for parity, it seems fitting that there are so many players that could make a legitimate claim for the title.
Here are the 10 players who I believe deserve the greatest consideration for MLS MVP.
MVP award announcement day is December 5th, and you may want to mark this one down on your calendars, because this race will be very, very close.
*All statistics retrieved from MLSsoccer.com
The Best Bets:
Marco Di Vaio, F, Montreal Impact
GP: 33 G:20 A:2
Key Stat: 40 – The percentage of Montreal goals that were scored by Di Vaio.
The big Italian led the line with ease for a much-improved Impact side this year. Di Vaio’s 20 goals saw him finish third in the Golden Boot race, but the fact that most of his goals were scored in bunches (Six goals over four matches from Aug. 17 to Sept. 8) may harm his MVP chances. That being said, Di Vaio was to Montreal what Patrice Bernier was to them last season: a revelation. If the voting brass can remember his contribution to Montreal’s hot start, Di Vaio will come away with this award.
Robbie Keane, F, Los Angeles Galaxy
GP: 23 G:16 A:11
Key Stat: 1980 – Keane’s minutes played this year, lowest of everyone on this list.
In the absence of some key teammates from last season, Keane had to pick up the slack for the LA Galaxy. Despite being limited by various injuries and national team call-ups, Keane was superb when he was on the field. He was one of only two players in the league to have double-digit goal and assist totals. If he hadn’t missed so many games, we could be looking at one of the better individual seasons in league history and an MVP lock. With such little time on the pitch though, it could be an uphill battle.
Mike Magee, M, Chicago Fire
GP:32 G:21 A:4
Key Stat: 2-7-1, 12-6-6 – Chicago’s records from before and after the Magee trade.
Had the Fire made the playoffs (they were beaten on goal differential by the Impact), Magee would win the MVP award hands down. Coming over to Chicago back in May after a six-goals-in-ten-games start with the Galaxy, Magee was at the forefront of a complete turnaround for Chicago. In 22 games for Chicago, Magee scored another 15 goals while adding four assists and a veteran presence in the locker room. Magee’s year is eerily reminiscent of Dwayne de Rosario’s 2011 MVP-winning season, and as things currently stand Magee appears, like DeRo, to be the frontrunner.
The Contenders:
Tim Cahill, M, New York Red Bulls
GP:27 G:11 A:5
Key Stat: 5- Number of Cahill’s goals that stood as game winners (tied for third in the league), four of which he scored with his head.
The astounding Aussie silenced his critics this season with outstanding performances and an invaluable leadership presence. Some may argue his contributions came in short spurts (his brace against Toronto on Apr. 27, his stoppage-time winner against the Galaxy on May 19), but finishing his season with four points in four matches has made him an intriguing dark horse.
Camilo Sanvezzo, F, Vancouver Whitecaps
GP:32 G:22 A:6
Key Stat: 55 – Number of shots Camilo had on target, first in the league.
After a poor 2012 season, Camilo came back in a big way in 2013. His 22 goals, a ten goal improvement from his 2011 total, were enough to give him the Golden Boot and potentially make a splash in the MVP race. Unfortunately, the lack of playoff soccer in Vancouver will hurt his chances.
Diego Valeri, M, Portland Timbers
GP:31 G:10 A:13
Key Stat: 4- Valeri was one of four Timbers to score eight or more goals this season, a first in MLS history.
In his first season, Diego Valeri quickly established himself as a key cog in the Portland Timbers lineup. He was one of the main catalysts of their remarkable turnaround, being the other player to have 10 or more goals and assists this season as mentioned earlier. Valeri is a shoo-in for the Newcomer of the Year award, and may end up a surprise finalist for MVP.
The Longshots:
Kyle Beckerman, M, Real Salt Lake
GP:26 G:4 A:6
Statistically, Beckerman had an even better year than his stellar 2012. Though some might put Javier Morales ahead of Beckerman for MVP considerations, “the other Becks” is here because he is the heart and soul of RSL and as a defensive midfielder does much more than get points.
Diego Fagundez, F, New England Revolution
GP: 31 G:13 A:7
The 18-year-old was at the forefront of a vibrant, young Revolution attack that made the MLS Cup Playoffs for the first time since 2009. Already in his third professional season, Fagundez has massive upside and could soar up this list in coming years.
Will Johnson, M, Portland Timbers
GP:28 G:9 A:5
The Timbers captain finally got his chance to be in the spotlight after five strong yet under-the-radar years in Salt Lake, instantly becoming a Timbers Army favourite. His early season form got the Timbers off to a hot start that never cooled off.
Donovan Ricketts, G, Portland Timbers
GP:32 GA:31 SO:14
The third Timber on this list speaks volumes about the team’s 2013 performance. Ricketts should win his second Goalkeeper of the Year award in four seasons. His 10 Save of the Week awards are one more than rival Nick Rimando of Real Salt Lake.
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