Major League Soccer’s MVP race is more wide open than a Nebraska cornfield. (That’s a sly shout-out to Omaha, which is being vocal in its pursuit of an MLS franchise. You go, guys!)
Candidates aplenty for Major League Soccer MVP race
I ranked the Top Ten candidates yesterday at SI.com. The thing is, there are so many good candidates that Round 30 this week could still have something to say about it all. In my mind, David Ferreira and Landon Donovan are 1 and 1A, with a gaggle of deserving candidates jumbled up right behind them.
Here is my current list. (I’ll include the brief explainers for the top pair, but for the comments on Nos. 3-10 you’ll have to follow the link. Copyright laws and all, ya know?) But do consider this: Juan Pablo Angel is tied for third in MLS goal scoring, and his overall contributions have certainly helped drive the Red Bulls comeback this year. Plus, he was my preseason selection as MVP. Boo, me!
But with all the great candidates, I can’t find a way to squeeze him into the Top Ten. It’s a great field and a great race this year.
1. David Ferreira (FC Dallas): Almost every FC Dallas attack goes through the Colombian playmaker, who has eight goals and 13 assists. His creative skills and ability to nimbly navigate congestion have been huge in FCD’s breakthrough campaign.
2. Landon Donovan (Los Angeles): Donovan, last year’s MVP, says his vote will go for Ferreira. Still, he’s built an exemplary case himself with seven goals and a league-leading 15 assists (despite missing six games due to World Cup).
3. Edson Buddle (Los Angeles)
4. Chris Wondolowski (San Jose)
5. Javier Morales (Real Salt Lake)
6. Fredy Montero (Seattle)
7. Sebastien Le Toux (Philadelphia)
8. Omar Cummings (Colorado)
9. Dwayne De Rosario (Toronto)
10. Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake)
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