MLS Awards: McBride, Keller named

MLS Awards finalists are:


MVP (to be announced Nov. 19)
Jeff Cunningham, Dallas*
Landon Donovan, Los Angeles
Shalrie Joseph, New England
- That is a REALLY tight race!

Coach of the Year (Nov. 11)
Bruce Arena, Los Angeles*
Sigi Schmid, Seattle
Robert Warzycha, Columbus
- the award is NOT best coach, that's Sigi hands down. But Bruce organized his team to recover. Sigi OTOH got to build his team, albeit from scraps, to get the result. Bobby is fading in the home stretch due to questionable roster and sub decisions but for most of the season he was brilliant. If something happens to Bradley, Sigi is who we want in the USMNT.

Rookie of the Year (Nov. 12)
Stefan Frei, Toronto
Omar Gonzalez, Los Angeles
Chris Pontius, D.C. United*
- Gonzo had some major screwups in the playoff leg 1. Too late for the voting. Pontius is a real comer.

Defender of the Year (Nov. 5)
Geoff Cameron, Houston
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Seattle
Chad Marshall, Columbus*
- I UN-weighted for injury. It's best defender, not most playing time. Different paradigm than COY, btw. When Marshall was in, Crew D was near bulletproof.

Goalie of the Year (Nov. 4)
Kasey Keller, Seattle
Donovan Ricketts, Los Angeles*
Zach Thornton, Chivas USA
- key cog in the success

Comeback Player of the Year (Nov. 10)
Brian McBride, Chicago
Ben Olsen, DCU
Zach Thornton, Chivas USA*
- McBride is McBride, whatta u expect! Real close from Olsen to Thornton but nod to Thornton for results.

Newcomer of the Year (Nov. 10)
Kasey Keller, Seattle
Freddie Ljungberg, Seattle
Fredy Montero, Seattle*
- loaded Seattle. Keller doesnt really count, never mind, cause he knows how US players play.

Fair Play (?)
Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders
Pat Onstad – Houston Dynamo
Steve Ralston – New England Revolution*
- Stevie by sentiment.

* My picks. Couldnt they find yet another category for Keller?

 

Don. It was a "hands up to prevent my nose being broken" play. Had to be given, but hardly something to tarnish an otherwise great reputation.

My Picks
MVP: Joseph
- singlehandedly got his team to the playoffs
Coach: Arena
- worst to first
Rookie: Gonzalez
- consistent starter, good performances
Defender: Cameron
- close with Marshall, but fewer injuries
Goalie: Ricketts
- big part of why they gave up half the goals of prior year
Comeback: Thornton
- from washed up to best keeper consideration
Newcomer: Montero
- adapted quickly, impact player
Fair Play: Keller
- gentleman and leader

 

I went back and added some comments as to why I made my picks, didnt change any.

What impresses me is that I agree with the final 3 selections. not that I was paying much attention of course.. only one I thought might be questionable was Frei as incl top 3 ROY.. but why quibble!

 

'fog. Just to note, and to paraphrase you, "the award is NOT best defender", but "defender of the YEAR."

...and all that is just picking on you a bit, for fun. I respect your choices and why you picked who you picked. DOY was one of the tougher ones, for me.

As a DCU ticket holder, my problem with Pontius is that, while he was often good when on the field, he wasn't on the field all that much (i.e., not a consistent starter). On principle, I have a tough time picking against a guy who earned a starting role over more experienced players and who played well enough to keep his spot. Not arguing the point, just noting that while Pontius may arguably be a better player right now, I don't believe his "season" can compare on Omar's.

 

Point taken.
Yet if Marshall were removed from the statistical equation, the Crew wouldnt have won the Supporters Shield and Crew Goal Differential would suck.

And this is a discussion not my edict thread. You're allowed.

 

'cause I was curious.

Columbus Crew 30 games, 13-7-10, 49 points, +10 GD

With Marshall (18/30), 8-4-6, 30 pionts,+6 GD

Without Marshall (12/30), 5-3-4, 19 points, +4 GD

Statistically speaking, it's a wash. The Crew's results were not statistically impacted by Marshall's absense.

:shrugs: he's still really good, but the Crew seemed to do just fine without him (results).

 

Seriously.. you win. But then I made you do the hard work.

 

LOL! You get the last laugh, 'fog, 'cause Marshall won the award anyway.

 

MLS DoY Marshall

Well... yeah.. lucky guess, I suppose.

heh...

You know the Crew board has this game where the moderator asks trivia questions and the winner is the one who guesses best what everyone else's answer will be.
I suck at it.

But Thornton won GoY, which means he prolly wont win CPoY so I missed there, too

 

RE: MLS DoY Marshall

Winners, to date

MVP: *TBD*

Coach: Arena

Rookie: Gonzalez

Defender: Marshall

Goalie: Thornton

Comeback: Thornton

Newcomer: Montero

Fair Play: Ralston

So far, PFog has the lead on me 5-4, so its all up to the MVP as to whether I share the spoils or he gets to declare himself Champion of All Things MLS on the board for the next 12 months :-D

 

RE: MLS DoY Marshall

GMTA: I was just about to congratulate both of us on our perspicacity.

I wish I hadnt watched that LA Chivas game.. note I mentioned Gonzo.

What amuses me is I aint kidding about not paying much attention to MLS.. bet my Games watched per week is slightly under '.75' not including Crew.

 

RE: MLS DoY Marshall

Other than the 6-8 DCU games I attend in person (and will likely only attend 3-5 next year, assuming they're even still in the area), I try to catch the Galaxy games (unless both DB and LD are not playing). I do though, try to take the time to watch the highlights online at mslnet.com.

I will add that I strongly dislike the parity model in the MLS. The model breaks completely compared to the NFL and NBA because of competion for talent outside of the league.

 

RE: MLS DoY Marshall

LOL! Well, we BOTH missed the MVP, so Fog wins 5-4.