As the MLS season kicks off, here is what to look for in an MLS MVP. With great power comes great responsibility – whether it was the French writer Voltaire or Spider Man who coined the phrase, it becomes quite an appropriate one when thinking about the MLS MVP award. I know, the season has just opened up and already a piece about who this season’s MVP is going to be? Bear with me, though; one of the enjoyments of a season is following the journey of a season from week to week or game to game. Taking a step back to look at previous years MVP’s and seeing what their results the first game of the MLS season may help determine what an ingredient in an MVP season might be.
Looking back at the last nine MLS MVP’s, here is how each performed in the opening game of the season for their respective teams:
2015 – Sebastian Giovinco (Toronto FC) – 80 minutes played, one assist, six shots/two on goal – Toronto defeated Vancouver 3-1.
2014 – Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy) – 90 minutes played, five shots/two on goal – L.A. Galaxy loses 1-0 to Real Salt Lake.
2013 – Mike Magee (LA Galaxy) – 82 minutes played, three goals, eight shots/five on goal – L.A. Galaxy defeated Chicago Fire 4-0.
2012 – Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes) – 90 minutes played, one goal, two shots/one on goal – San Jose defeated New England 1-0.
2011 – Dwayne de Rosario (Toronto FC) – 90 minutes played, one goal, four shots/three on goal – Toronto loses to Vancouver 4-2.
2010 – David Ferreira (FC Dallas) – 90 minutes played – FC Dallas tied Houston 1-1.
2009 – Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy) – 90 minutes played, two goals (including a penalty kick goal), two shots – L.A. Galaxy ties D.C. United 2-2.
2008 – Guillermo Barros Schelotto (Columbus Crew) – 88 minutes played, one shot/one on goal – Columbus Crew had a 2-0 win over Toronto.
2007 – Luciano Emilio (DC United) – 90 minutes played, one goal, three shots/two on goal – D.C. United loses to Colorado Rapids 2-1.
Looking at the list of recent MVP’s, a few things stand out, the most critical of those is the fact that the season MVP played in their team’s opening game. This reaffirms the train of thought that it is critical for players to play with their teams from day one. This rules out any mid-season acquisitions teams may make in the summer or later in the year, such as Tim Howard if he eventually makes the jump back to MLS.
Other notable players who have been ruled out for their team’s opening games and will start behind the eight ball include Montreal’s Didier Drogba, NYCFC’s Frank Lampard, Philadelphia’s Maurice Edu and Tranquillo Barnetta, New York Red Bulls’ Gonzalo Veron, San Jose’s Marc Pelosi and D.C. United’s Bill Hamid. Further complicating the potential MVP candidate list, players like Toronto’s Jozy Altidore and Sporting Kansas City’s Benny Feilhaber are nursing injuries and may not be available for the opening game either.
Breaking the numbers down a bit further from recent MVP winners performances on opening day, six of the last nine winners have played the full ninety minutes, five of the nine have scored at least one goal, and only four of the nine have gone on to win their opening day game.
There is no clear cut stat that provides a glimpse into who might go on to be an unstoppable force in 2016 and eventually be crowned the Landon Donovan MVP Award recipient at the end of the season. However, if a player like Kei Kamara, David Villa, Robbie Keane or Kaka go the full 90 minutes and score, there is a good chance we may all be in for a fun ride following their progression as the season unfolds.
Main Photo: Todd Korol, Getty Images
