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Jeff Cunningham can't stop scoring goals and it is time to start asking the question: Is he now the MLS MVP front-runner?
No, FC Dallas still hasn't qualified for the playoffs, and it still has plenty of work to do, but the fact that FCD has rattled off four wins in five matches to pull within striking distance of the post-season is a direct product of Cunningham's goal-scoring hot streak.
Cunningham leads MLS in goals with 17 goals, but just being the league's scoring leader doesn't make you an MVP candidate. Cunningham has scored clutch goals in every win and has helped turn the FC Dallas attack into the league's most dangerous.
With that in mind, is it time to give Cunningham serious MVP consideration? The answer is yes.
Shalrie Joseph got our vote a few weeks back, but New England's steady slide late in the year has put Joseph's candidacy in jeopardy. Landon Donovan remains a serious contender and Colorado's Conor Casey may get a bit stronger look as his national team heroics have awakened some observers to the stellar year he is having.
None of those candidates have run away with the award like Guillermo Barros Schelotto did last season so Cunningham still has a good chance of winning the MVP award if FC Dallas can win its final two matches and reach the post-season.
We're firm believers that an MVP should come from a team that is at the very least a playoff team, so Cunningham's candidacy could hinge largely on whether he can help FC Dallas finish its improbable run to the post-season. If he doesn't, he could find it difficult to beat out Joseph and Donovan among others.
What do you think? Is Cunningham an MVP favorite? Still don't think he's worthy? Who gets your vote with two weeks left in the season?
Share your thoughts below.
This thread is exactly what’s wrong with MLS.
Cunningham must be MVP because he leads the league in goals and yet his team hasn’t made the playoffs. So what’s he the MVP of? Ans – nothing. Has a middy of defender got a chance, even though they may actually be more valuable than Jeff? Not likely. Those aren’t glory positions. Since we’ve established that only glory positions or glory people can win, it boils down to just two people. The winner has to be either Beckham or Obama and I’m leaning for Obama because he watches his kids play while Beckham only plays the game
It all depends on the playoffs.
i want conor casey to get MVP
HERE ME OUT HOWEVER, and i would really like Ives opinion on this
with Charlie Davies horrible,HORRIBLE disaster recently…….do you guys believe that Jeff Cunnigham could step in for him on the USMNT atleast until a fast IN AND OUT(in bold b/c i dont want to see donovan up top) striker gets his form back(davies obviously,if he completely recovers and gets back on form he can develop and definately be a better striker than jeff,if you were wondering i didnt just say davies b/c eddie johnson is slowly starting to creep back into fulham i believe )…..cunningham would have more experience, is just as fast or faster, and could possibly be just as good as a finisher right now…..it would be great to be able to maintain the same style keeping a fast sriker next to a big striker going in to the world cup am i right?
Damn you, John Carver!!!
Conor Casey does not deserve to be MVP. The guys has been padding his stats on PK’s the latter part of the season. I mean, he has more PK goals than some teams have PK’s all year.
You can actually talk about Cunningham as MVP because once he really got time on the pitch after Kenny Cooper left, FC Dallas has been a different team. I know that he hasn’t done it alone (Ferriera), but FCD went from bottom dwellers to contenders in the second half of the season.
I really think a defensive player or goalkeeper should get the MVP award. Way too much emphasis is placed on scoring goals and assists, but keeping teams from scoring is probably more important in this league. Last year’s Galaxy and this year’s Dallas, who both top(ped) the goals scored category, have proven that scoring a bunch of goals does not equal the best team in MLS (unlike a lot of other leagues like the EPL). As much as I hate Chivas, I’d have to argue that Zach Thornton deserves the MVP award for keeping Chivas in contention throughout good times and bad. And Chivas may clinch the supporters shield yet.
Landon Donovan or Donovan Ricketts? Which LA Donovan really had the biggest impact on the team?
How about Dario Sala!… If it wasnt for him FC Dallas wouldnt be close to making it to the playoffs…but you can make the same case for Cunny.
I would love to see both Cunningham and Eddie Johnson brought into the upcoming friendlies/camps before the world cup, with one of them actually making it to the world cup. Lets make it happen Bobby B!
i wouldnt be surprised to see a keeper take the mvp this year. thornton and keller are solid choices but now that the galaxy are having a good season i vote landon
I agree with Zach Thornton for MVP. He is the heart and soul of Chivas. Without him I don’t know how good Chivas would be. He has had some amazing games at keeper this year.
How does Keller not get a mention?
Crapingham will never get my vote. Mandon deserves it this year.
Bring him back to the Nats!
Tony Sanneh!
Cunny’s run has been amazing to watch. I’m obviously biased, but if FCD makes it in, then he should get it. If we don’t, give it to Landon.
If you watch FCD you would know that David Ferria is the team MVP
The answer to Cunningham for MVP… no. You can’t be MVP and play on a crappy team.
Donovan gets it and guess what, he’s the most valuable player in the league. He DESERVES it. Posted by: Danny | October 14, 2009 at 01:09 PM
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Hey Dummy, FC Dallas is right now the BEST team in MLS. Earlier in the season they were crappy, but right now I am willing to bet both Colorado and Seattle were wishing for a different team on the schedule.
Donavon simply has not done enough to earn MVP this season.
If FCD makes the playoffs, which right now is a strong possibility, JC is hands down the MVP. If FCD falters, then it has to be GBS..
Zach Thornton is the MVP of MLS this year.
He may set the record for lowest goal against average in the history of the league and Chivas seems likely to finish at the top of the West.
Donovan deserves the MVP award. Let’s remember that MVP DOES NOT EQUAL GOLDEN BOOT. Sure, Cunningham is having a GREAT year, but he’s not an MVP.
Donovan has scored LESS goals but has really been the binding force behind the Galaxy this year. His actions alone have put the Galaxy where they are this year.
Look at Kobe Bryant in the NBA: His scoring numbers dropped off this past year from the year before (similar to Donovan), but his OTHER contributions (passing, defense, leadership, etc.) made him much more valuable to his team than if he was putting up 35+ per night.
Cunningham wins Golden Boot, Donovan for MVP, Ricketts for GK of the Year, and Omar Gonzalez for Rookie & Defender of the Year.
Conor Casey.
He will pass Cunny in goals when Rapids beat FCD and clinch Saturday.
My MVP Formula:
Cunningham for MVP if:
FC Dallas make the playoffs, New England miss out.
Joseph for MVP if:
New England make the playoffs, FCD miss out.
Donavon for MVP if:
Galaxy win the Supporter’s Shield.
imho.
Abumax, I don’t get your point about not making the playoffs. None of the teams that Cunningham played for over the last three seasons (Dallas, Toronto and RSL) while he was being passed around MLS like Lindsay Lohan at a frat party made the playoffs either. Where’s this alleged value that Cunningham creates? Your argument is pointless because Dallas isn’t going to make the playoffs this season either. You can bank on it.
I think Cunningham on current form should be called to the National team,hes the only US player that has speed up top like Davies and could replicate a similar partnership with Jozy that has the same effect.I cant see Jozy playin with Casey or Ching and having the same results.
Cunningham for the USMNT!
I vote for David Beckham…is he in the running?? I’m not voting for Cunningham…DONT WANT TO JINX HIM AND FC DALLAS!!
If they make the playoffs–maybe. If they don’t make the playoffs and he wins, MLS looks like a Mickey Mouse league.
Chupacabra: so two wrongs make a right?
Besides:
LA without Donovan – doesn’t make the playoffs
LA with Donovan – doesn’t make the playoffs
So where’s the value he created? That’s why Cunningham should get MVP hands down if Dallas make the playoffs. Besides, Colorado should have had the playoffs sewn up by now and instead been doing their best to make it exciting.
Ives,
Great topic. Here is how I see it:
Candidates – Schelotto, Donovan, Joseph, Casey and Cunningham
I am completely behind the notion that the MVP has to come from a team that AT LEAST (!) makes the playoffs. Hence,…the strength arguments for Joseph, Casey and Cunningham hinge on the results of the final two matches of the season for each of their teams. That said,…Casey and Cunningham have been remarkable. Personally I am hoping that Cunningham drags FC Dallas into the playoffs by scoring in his last two matches. That would be an amazing story.
In my (little mind) that leaves Schelotto and Donovan. Rather than bore everyone with arguments for both I will make the case for Schelotto only,….as I see him clearly as the Most Valuable Player in MLS.
1. When the season started, the Crew were trying to find their feet under a new coach and with a fair amount of new faces. Please recall that it was Schelotto who was scoring goals when the offense was struggling. He rescued several points in the early going with key goals for his team.
2. Statistically, he has had a strong season – 12 goals and 3 assists,…keeping him amongst the league leaders, although well behind the prolific Cunningham.
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY,…Columbus has the best record in the league and are a good bet to capture another Supporters Shield. Not to mention, they are sorting things out in the Champions League in a difficult group.
So, with all due respect to the other four candidates,…GBS is my choice for MVP!
OK,…rip me to pieces.
Posted by: BrianK | October 14, 2009 at 01:06 PM
I’m from the Cbus and although I think he’s a worthy canidate….they’ve been winning without him in recent months
The answer to Cunningham for MVP… no. You can’t be MVP and play on a crappy team.
Donovan gets it and guess what, he’s the most valuable player in the league. He DESERVES it.
Ives,
Great topic. Here is how I see it:
Candidates – Schelotto, Donovan, Joseph, Casey and Cunningham
I am completely behind the notion that the MVP has to come from a team that AT LEAST (!) makes the playoffs. Hence,…the strength arguments for Joseph, Casey and Cunningham hinge on the results of the final two matches of the season for each of their teams. That said,…Casey and Cunningham have been remarkable. Personally I am hoping that Cunningham drags FC Dallas into the playoffs by scoring in his last two matches. That would be an amazing story.
In my (little mind) that leaves Schelotto and Donovan. Rather than bore everyone with arguments for both I will make the case for Schelotto only,….as I see him clearly as the Most Valuable Player in MLS.
1. When the season started, the Crew were trying to find their feet under a new coach and with a fair amount of new faces. Please recall that it was Schelotto who was scoring goals when the offense was struggling. He rescued several points in the early going with key goals for his team.
2. Statistically, he has had a strong season – 12 goals and 3 assists,…keeping him amongst the league leaders, although well behind the prolific Cunningham.
3. MOST IMPORTANTLY,…Columbus has the best record in the league and are a good bet to capture another Supporters Shield. Not to mention, they are sorting things out in the Champions League in a difficult group.
So, with all due respect to the other four candidates,…GBS is my choice for MVP!
OK,…rip me to pieces.
yeah…if Dallas makes the playoffs you have to give Cunningham the award.
I think Cunningham and Casey fight for the spot…if Dallas make the playoffs, then Cunningham gets its, no doubt.
If FCD makes the playoffs, how can you not vote for him?
Donovan had a breakout season as a longtime veteran long considered the best American player? Really? Breakout? Don’t be ridiculous please.
A win and strong performance against Colorado should put Dallas and Cunningham at the top of MLS news stories.
It has to be from Cunningham, Casey, LD, and Sharlie. Sharlie has kept the NE team relevant with so many injuries.
obviously, with CD injured, BB will consider bringing Cunningham in. I would not be surprised to see him on the roster of the November friendlies.
Donovan = best player in the league this year
If Donovan can be denied MVP last year in favor of Schelotto just because the Galaxy did not make the playoffs (despite Donovan having a breakout season), then, no, Cunningham should not get the MVP award this year.
We all know they’ll just give the thing to Donovan anyway.