As the MLS season streaks past the three-quarters through mark, there are definitely some players that seem to be separating themselves from the pack in the MVP race. At least according to the 15 editors who responded to SB Nation's request to participate in our poll, it would appears that Brek Shea is the clear favorite, with Mauro Rosales and Landon Donovan the only other two receiving much serious interest.
Major League Soccer MVP Race: Brek Shea Still Out In Front
Mauro Rosales, Landon Donovan also getting a fair amount of support from SB Nation’s soccer editors in the MVP race.
We asked our editors to submit a top three in the MVP race, with three points assigned to their top pick, two to their second and one for the third. Only Shea’s name appeared on every ballot, including six that picked him as their MVP.
At this point in the season, that should hardly come as a huge surprise. We like to think that our editors follow the league pretty closely and they've clearly noticed that Shea has played a huge role in FC Dallas' Supporters' Shield contending season.
FC Dallas' Brek Shea has emerged as the clear favorite to win the MVP among SB Nation's soccer editors:
| 1st | 2nd | total | ballots | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shea | 6 | 5 | 32 | 15 |
| Rosales | 2 | 5 | 21 | 12 |
| Donovan | 3 | 2 | 14 | 6 |
| Henry | 1 | 2 | 10 | 6 |
| Davis | 2 | 0 | 8 | 4 |
| Beckham | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| DeRosario | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
More than any other player, Shea's performance has helped FC Dallas overcome the loss of last year's MVP, David Ferreira. Shea's 10 goals are tied for third most in the league, as he's emerged as the player opposing defenses focus their attention on.
Rosales appeared on 12 ballots, but only two voters picked him as their MVP. The 30-year-old Argentinian’s support is probably held back a little by the lateness of his candidacy. While he has played well throughout the season, he’s only recently emerged as a goal-scoring threat and he’s had some recent late-game heroics that probably stick in voters’ minds.
Donovan only appeared on six ballots, but half of those picked him as their MVP. His 11 goals and three assists are made all the more impressive by the fact that he's only played 1,630 minutes. That he's also helped lead the Los Angeles Galaxy to the top of the Supporters' Shield race can't be hurting his chances either.
Just four more players got any mention in our MVP ballot, with only three others receiving any support as the winner. Brad Davis of the Houston Dynamo, curiously enough, got two first-place votes, but only appeared on two other ballots. Thierry Henry and David Beckham each received one first-place vote, and Dwayne De Rosario received one second-place vote.
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