2014 MLS MVP Watch: Lee Nguyen moving up the list
By Zac Wassink
Several changes have hit the list of 2014 Major League Soccer MVP candidates from a week ago. A few new names have entered the conversation. While the Eastern Conference remains responsible for the top-two MLS MVP candidates, the man who would win the Golden Boot if the regular season ended today is now No.2 here.
Is it about time that #LeeNguyen4USMNT becomes a trending Twitter topic?
2014 MLS MVP candidates
Lee Nguyen, New England Revolution
Nguyen continues to be a key man for a Revolution side that could be on the verge of a significant playoff run. He found the back of the net last Saturday, notching the game winner for New England in the team’s 2-1 over lowly Montreal Impact. Nguyen now sits on 13 goals and 4 assists, and the 27-year old is leaving little question about his deserving at least a phone call from United States Men’s National Team boss Jurgen Klinsmann.
Don’t look now, but New England could still have a say in the regular season Eastern Conference title race. The Revolution are just five points behind conference leaders DC United. They have a game in hand over Sporting Kansas City, and the defending champs haven’t been playing all that well as of late.
Those of you looking for a sleeper pick for MLS Cup winners will want to keep an eye on New England.
Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
Momentum, or a lack there of as it pertains to Wright-Phillips, causes BWP to fall down the MLS MVP list this week. A hamstring injury kept Wright-Phillips at a Red Bulls viewing party in Hoboken this past weekend when RBNY traveled to Philadelphia to take on the Union. A late penalty allowed Philadelphia to strike for an equalizer, and the game ended 2-2.
The league-leader in goals (21) will need to be fully fit if his pursuit of history is to have a happy ending. Wright-Phillips is seven goals away from setting the MLS record for most tallies netted in a season.
The Red Bulls have six league contests remaining on the schedule.
Dom Dwyer, Sporting Kansas City
Your long nightmare is over, Kansas City fans! What was a four-game losing streak mercifully came to an end on September 12 when SKC went out west and dismantled Chivas USA 4-0. Dwyer hit the back of the net in that four-goal onslaught, and he has scored in each of the team’s past two contests.
Dwyer will have to wait to add to his MLS totals. While Kansas City have two CONCACAF Champions League game ahead of them, they will not return to MLS regular season play until September 26.
Obafemi Martins, Seattle Sounders
Sep 3, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Seattle Sounders forward Obafemi Martins (12) dribbles the ball against Chivas USA at StubHub Center. The Sounders defeated Chivas USA 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Martins is building a strong MLS MVP resume in September. He struck for a goal in Seattle’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Real Salt Lake on September 12, and Martins has found the back of the net three times in two league games this month. He currently sits on 13 goals and 9 assists in MLS league play.
Martins will have a strong case for being MLS MVP if the Sounders, who hoisted the US Open Cup in celebration on September 16, go on to win the Supporters’ Shield. That title is Seattle’s to lose, as the Sounders sit atop the overall league table and are the only side averaging two points earned per game.
Gyasi Zardes, LA Galaxy
Zardes replaces ageless wonder Robbie Keane in this week’s list — and no, not just because of the penalty spot woes experienced by Keane.
It is the 23-year old and not Keane who leads the Galaxy in goals. Zardes scored when LA were away to Montreal on September 10, and he is on 15 league goals. Those 15 goals have come off of 59 shots.
Keane, who has 14 goals, has taken a league-high 106 shots.
Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
The USMNT living legend is quietly having a strong campaign. He has been responsible for 7 assists in his last four matches (Donovan did not make an appearance when LA were away to San Jose on September 14. Donovan leads MLS in assists with 15.
It is the veteran who is calling time on his playing days this coming December who remains the emotional favorite to win MVP. MLS, like every other league and sports organization, likes to create positive headlines, and Donovan winning MVP would get play on televised sports broadcasts and on websites that often ignore that the league and US club soccer exist.
Jon Busch, San Jose Earthquakes
I know that goalkeepers don’t win MLS MVP. I know that San Jose are not earning a postseason berth this fall. I know that Busch probably isn’t even the best goalkeeper in the league.
Put your pitchforks down and hear me out, everybody.
Busch leads the league in shots saved by a total of 16 stops. The ‘keeper who has routinely been hung out to dry by his back line is the main reason the Earthquakes are sitting dead last in the overall league table. Busch deserves something for his efforts from 2014, because he has not been given much by his club.
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