Photo by ISIphotos.com
Landon Donovan, Shalrie Joseph and Jeff Cunningham are the finalists for MLS MVP honors and just three of the MLS players identified as finalists for season-ending awards by Major League Soccer.
Donovan is one of several members of the Los Angeles Galaxy to be selected as finalists for honors. Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, defender Omar Gonzalez and head coach Bruce Arena are all strong candidates to bring home awards this month.
The Seattle Sounders have the most awards finalists, with four players and head coach Sigi Schmid all in the running for awards.
Here is a rundown of all the awards finalists:
GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC
Donovan Ricketts – Los Angeles Galaxy
Zach Thornton – Chivas USA
FAIR PLAY AWARD
Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC
Pat Onstad – Houston Dynamo
Steve Ralston – New England Revolution
COMEBACK PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Brian McBride – Chicago Fire
Ben Olsen – D.C. United
Zach Thornton – Chivas USA
DEFENDER OF THE YEAR
Geoff Cameron – Houston Dynamo
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado – Seattle Sounders FC
Chad Marshall – Columbus Crew
REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Alex Prus
Ricardo Salazar
Kevin Stott
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
Stefan Frei – Toronto FC
Omar Gonzalez – Los Angeles Galaxy
Chris Pontius – D.C. United
COACH OF THE YEAR
Bruce Arena – Los Angeles Galaxy
Sigi Schmid – Seattle Sounders FC
Robert Warzycha – Columbus Crew
NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC
Freddie Ljungberg – Seattle Sounders FC
Fredy Montero – Seattle Sounders FC
MOST VALUABLE PLAYER
Jeff Cunningham – FC Dallas
Landon Donovan – Los Angeles Galaxy
Shalrie Joseph – New England Revolution
———–
What do you think of these finalists? Anybody a glaring omission? Who do you see winning the awards?
Share your thoughts below.
Of this year’s rookies, Kevin Alston will get a USMNT call-up before any of the ROY nominees.
How is Pat Onstad in consideration for fair play? Anyone watch Houston vs. Seattle last Thursday?
I think shalrie should win MVP, but I think donovan will. As for omissions, Steve Bicol for coach of the year, & matt reis for keeper of the year. Neither would win it, but both deserve to be nominated.
thanks shank. forget sigi (and bruce)
I could win coach of the year if I got my pick of the entire team of players too. Sigi should try to coach the team for a few years before he gets put in the running for that crap. I begrudgingly have to say Bruce for coach of the year.
Have to give my nod towards Shalrie Joseph for MVP although I think the likelihood is great that Landon Donovan will receive it.
Newcomer of the year should be whoever is wearing that Jeff Cunningham costume in FC Dallas.