The battle for 2014 MLS MVP could come down to the final game of the regular season.
Plenty will be determined over the final two days of the 2014 MLS regular season. One last playoff spot and also several postseason seeds will be on the line. The regular season championship and Supporters’ Shield will be won and lost when Seattle Sounders host LA Galaxy on Saturday afternoon.
It is likely that Seattle vs. LA match will bring with it the final say on which player wins MLS MVP for 2014.
MLS MVP candidates: The contenders
Oct 19, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Stefan Frei (24) makes a save as Los Angeles Galaxy forward Robbie Keane (7) tries to get to the ball during first half action at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Robbie Keane, LA Galaxy
The ageless goalscorer has been kept off of score sheets since he hit lowly Toronto FC for a brace back on October 4. Keane nevertheless remains third in MLS with 19 goals. He has also notched 14 assists in league play, which has him tied for second in that category.
Keane would need to have a historic afternoon to finish the campaign as the leading scorer or assist man in MLS this time around. One more tally, particularly one that lands LA the Supporters’ Shield, may be just enough to push Keane across the finish line as MLS MVP.
Obafemi Martins, Seattle Sounders
Martins is to Keane as Keane is to Martins, and thus it all could come down to which team is atop the overall MLS standings on Saturday evening. Martins has pulled away from other possible contenders on the Seattle squad, matching 17 goals with 12 assists on the season. He added a duo of assists to his stats last weekend in that thrilling 2-2 draw involving LA and Seattle, a contest that proved to be a scintillating preview of this coming Saturday’s showdown.
Both Martins and Keane will have one final opportunity to make statements, this time in front of a national television audience. Whichever man steps up while under the spotlight should deserve MLS MVP nods from voters and fans alike.
MLS MVP candidates: On the outside…
Oct 16, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; New England Revolution midfielder/forward Lee Nguyen (24) celebrates with teammates after scoring his second goal of the night against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Revolution defeated the Dynamo 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Lee Nguyen, New England Revolution
The award is MLS Most “Valuable” Player, and it’s hard to imagine where New England would be without the man who should be getting a United States Men’s National Team call-up any day now. The Revolution do not possess a squad with the talent and depth found on the rosters of Seattle and LA, and yet New England will enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed coming out of the MLS Eastern Conference.
Nguyen is his team’s stop star, netting 17 goals and adding 5 assists to his incredible campaign. He has scored on four occasions in October, and Nguyen has already earned Player of the Month honors.
The best player on the best regular season team winning MLS MVP makes sense. It happens in other sports leagues all the time. If going by value first, however, Nguyen has to be strongly considered.
Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
What a difference a month can make.
It wasn’t long ago that Wright-Phillips seemed destined to make history as the all-time scorer in a single MLS season. BWP has scored just once in his last four appearances, and he will now need a hat-trick when away to Sporting Kansas City to get to 28 goals.
His cause hasn’t been helped by his team’s form. The Red Bulls wasted an opportunity to climb to third in the conference standings last weekend when they lost at home to Columbus Crew 3-1. New York will now require help from rivals Philadelphia Union, who have nothing to play for on the final weekend of the MLS season, to avoid a Wild Card Playoff contest that is scheduled for next week.
MLS MVP candidates: Keep an eye on…
Oct 19, 2014; Carson, CA, USA; Los Angeles Galaxy midfielder Landon Donovan (10) looks at a painting presented to him after the Galaxy tied the Seattle Sounders FC 2-2 at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
Landon Donovan, LA Galaxy
It’s hard to miss how good a story Donovan winning MLS MVP would be for everybody involved.
The Landon Donovan farewell tour will be wrapping up at some point over the next seven weeks. Donovan has already played his last match for Team USA, and his MLS career will finish with Galaxy either being eliminated from the postseason or hoisting the MLS Cup in December.
This isn’t to suggest that Donovan winning MVP would be an honorary gesture. He has bagged 10 goals, and his 19 assists are good for league-best as regular season finales approach. Nobody is going to catch Donovan in the assists category.
Donovan is a household name among casual sports fans. His winning MLS MVP would get the league play on television sports programming and on the front pages of websites.
What say you, conspiracy theorists?
MLS MVP candidates: Prediction
Remember when Jermain Defoe and Toronto FC spoiled the Seattle party back at the start of the regular season? Don’t be shocked if history repeats itself. Keane strikes for a goal per half, LA win Supporters’ Shield, and Keane goes on to be named MLS MVP.
Better luck next time, Mr. Nguyen.
More from FanSided
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return
- LA Galaxy vs. Club Leon Leagues Cup match rescheduled for July 26