The Race for MVP – 9/17/16

The Race for MVP-9/17/16

#1 Sebastian Giovinco, Toronto FC

Giovinco is without a doubt the best player in the league.  If last season didn’t prove it, this season has. Despite not having played in a game since August 27^th, Giovinco is third in goals with 16, and second in assists with 13. The reigning MVP has put in another spectacular season that has catapulted Toronto FC into first place in the eastern conference, and put them in serious contention for the Supporter’s Shield. He’s come up big when his team needed him the most, when Jozy Altidore, Michael Bradley, Drew Moor and Clint Irwin all missed significant amount of time, accounting for over six shots a game, the most in the league. As impressive as Giovinco’s last season, which was the greatest season in MLS history with 22 Goals and 16 assists, he’s certainly on his way to topping it, and more importantly his team is a whole lot better.  After two seasons atop the MLS, maybe an Italian National team call up is in order.

#2 Giovani Dos Santos, L.A. Galaxy

Dos Santos is putting up a similarly impressive season across the board, and through adversity. Dos Santos has accumulated 14 goals and 11 assists amongst the stars in Hollywood.  With all of the big names in L.A. it’s often easy to over look how well Dos Santos is playing.  He’s been involved in the last seven Galaxy goals, four goals and three assists. While having high quality players around him will certainly help pad the stats, Dos Santos has often had to be the leader of the often injured Galaxy team. With Gyasi Zardes, Robbie Keane, and Steven Gerrard missing games throughout the year.  Dos Santos could make a serious run for Giovinco’s spot in the MVP discussion if he can continue his good form. With his teammates slowly starting to regain their health their return from injury will certainly boost his chances.

#3 Sacha Kljestan, New York Red Bulls

The league leader in assists is finally and deservedly getting the recognition he deserves. Kljestan has had to battle through inconsistency issues amongst his teammates early on in the season and has had to manage the center of the field without his teammate Dax McCarthy, who’s down with injury.  Luckily his perseverance is paying off.  After years of being left off of the USMNT squad, Jurgen Klinsman decided to give the attacking midfielder another chance, much to the delight of many U.S.A. fans, calling up Kljestan to the latest round of World Cup qualifiers. Kljestan reward his coach for his opportunity, scoring two goals and providing two assists in the two group clinching victories. His play, along with the next guy on the list, has pushed the Red Bulls back in the championship hunt, despite their dreadful start to the season.

#4 Bradley Wright-Phillips New York Red Bulls

As Bradley Wright-Phillips goes so do the Red Bulls. He’s had to carry the goal scoring burden for the Red Bulls as Designated Player Gonzalo Veron has struggled to find the net. The start of the season was not looking promising as Wright-Phillips did not score for the first six games of the season. The Red Bulls similarly lost five of those six. Since then, Wright-Phillips has led the league in goals with timely finishing and has led the club back to prominence along with Kljestan.

Wright-Phillips is used to bagging tons of goals for the Red Bulls.  He was the Golden Boot winner two years ago after putting up 27 goals. Last year wasn’t nearly as prolific, but impactful nonetheless, with only 17 goals, but leading the Red Bulls to the Supporter’s Shield.  With five games remaining, Wright-Phillips has already passed last seasons total with 18 tallies. 

#5 David Villa, New York City F.C.  

For most of the season, the battle for the MVP trophy was a two horse race, between Villa and Giovinco. While Villa, nor NYCFC, have exactly struggled as of late, Villa sits at second in league goals with 17 and NYCFC sits second in the Eastern Conference. The energy surrounding the team earlier in the season is starting to disperse. They’re certainly not on the run that they were in the middle of the summer, no thanks to Villa who continues to put himself in the right spot on the field at all the right times. The Spanish striker might be higher on this list if his teammates were able to keep the ball out of their own net.  NYCFC have conceited the most goals in the league at 50. Without Villa and his goals scoring prowess, his team wouldn’t being nearly as high in the standings. Nonetheless, Villa has been the captain and leader of the most improved team from last year to this year. Playing in Yankee stadium is worthy of its own trophy.

Honorable Mention- Mauro Diaz, FC Dallas

After putting up one goal and three assists in the U.S. Open Cup Final against the New England Revolution, Diaz’s stock is certainly on the rise. Well, that is if it can rise any higher. After Fabian Castillo ran off to Turkey, Diaz took complete control of the team. For a small market and even smaller crowds in the often empty Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, Diaz’s magic is sometimes forgotten.  His ability to control the offense by lofting perfect crosses, threading the ball between defenders and quickly executing the counter attack are just a few of the things that has made Diaz dazzle his way to five goals and 11 assists.  These stats hardly due him justice. Unfortunately, many of his abilities can not be graded by stats in the box score. Yet, his presence can certainly be felt in the table and in the trophy case. He’s the best player on the best team in the MLS. If F.C. Dallas are able to capture another trophy or even a treble, it will certainly be difficult to leave Diaz out of the MVP race.