For a year that will likely be remembered as the one when the marquee Designated Players infiltrated Major League Soccer, many of the biggest difference-makers around the league have been non-DP newcomers.
The addition of Alvaro Saborio has made Real Salt Lake even more of a threat to repeat as MLS Cup champion. Joel Lindpere's presence in the midfield is one of the reasons that the New York Red Bulls are in the midst of a turnaround season for the ages. The Kansas City Wizards have shown a marked improvement from a year ago, with fresh faces Jimmy Nielsen and Ryan Smith having standout seasons.
Other candidates include: Milton Rodriguez, who has played well up top since joining FC Dallas; Marko Perovic, whose introduction gave the New England Revolution a shot at joining the postseason race and Juninho, who has helped contribute to the Los Angeles Galaxy attack.
The MLS Newcomer of the Year award goes to the best non-rookie player in his first year in the league. Who do you think is most deserving of that award?
Cast your vote after the jump:
Who did you vote for? Was there anybody who wasn't on the ballot that should have been?
Share your thoughts below.
WHAT ABOUT FCD’S JASON LOYD??
Even as a LAG-fan, I could tell that no other rookie has helped a defense so much, or put himself into the US MNT picture .. ..
“Stuck”? New stadium, new DP next season….no longer is KC the shithole of the league, friend. He will continue to thrive and make KC a better team. By the way, he is enjoying his time in KC, as do the large majority of players who come here.
perovic only bright spot on revs. is a class player with his free kicks
“And Saborio went to the top team in the league??? Do you remember RSL pre-2009???”
Yes he did…the team that won the league last year actually, that makes it the team at the top of the league…That’s what the winners are right!!!!
And try to do a bit of research before your DP laden comment, Henry has played roughly 10 games, Rafa has played roughly 7 games and Lindpere has played 26 games. And on top of that his biggest contributions all came before the Henry/Rafa era.
If you’re going to be a hater be an informed hater.
With that said I do think the overall contribution that had the most impact on the team had to be Saborio.
Being objective isn’t bad sometimes bow is it?
Saborio hands down. 10 goals and even when he isn’t scoring he is opening up wide swaths of space for other players. He’s just been fantastic. RSL fans have to be elated with that pick up.
I wish the Fire had him instead of old man McBride and Collins ‘Doughboy’ John.
And Saborio went to the top team in the league??? Do you remember RSL pre-2009???
What Sabo did with RSL eclipses anything Linpere has done with a DP-laden NYRB. If Sabo does not win the award it will be scandalous.
Your attempt at mixing dry humor and actual antipathy towards RBNY is tiresome. Leave por favor.
Sabo is the Tim Cahill of the MLS. He’s got a head for the ball and is awesome in the air.
I would agree with you Moose. although he has two problems. He is more of a defensive player for Dallas and he plays for FCD. The second probably hurts him more than the first.
Hiring De Los Cobos was a bigger mistake than letting Hamlet go.. hopefully there will be changes this offseason
Ryan Smith, but stuck in KC. Put him on MYRB, or RSL and he might actually get some publicity.
cant wait to see more of this kid on the ball.
I know that Ljunberg’s been here for over a year, but WTF was Chicago thinking?
Paycheck difference?
In what ways?
Nery Castillo
How bout we vote for the BIGGEST BUST….
Right… Jackson who??? Randy Jackson?
lol.
Fine – Sabo all you want but Joel Lindpere is the MLS MVP. Even their coach acknowledges him as the most consistent player in the team and has kept the RBNY midfield in this form that they are in. So that should also warrant him getting Newcomer of the Year.
Mista!
Yeah, 10 goals in 24 matches vs 5 goals in 8 matches….
Jackson who? Bo Jackson is the only Jackson I’d vote for.
I think the bias lies with the RBNY supporters on here.
Write in vote for Jackson. That guy is only 23 and can play anywhere on the field (and has).
Lindpere no doubt. Saborio will win it because he’s in a position of more visibility, i.e., goal scorer. There’s only a 15k difference between their salaries so it’s a toss up who is the better value.
Voted for Lindpere but do not have a problem with Saborio
Saborio…no question, tremendous player, great touch, he has made RSL a force, 4 losses on the road, 24 unbeaten games at home, RSL has broken several records this year. Without a question. RSL has to be probably the deepest team in MLS history, Saborio, Morales,Findley, Williams, Beckerman, Olave, Borchers, Rimando, Johnson, the list goes on.
really? none of the teams in the MLS are corporations? are they charities then? Are they tax exempt? Saborio’s the better choice, but it has nothing to do with lindpere playing for a “corporation”
Saborio.
but I will be voting for Saborio… he plays for a real team and not some corporation
you can’t use strength of team to demonstrate value of lindpere or saborio because both have strong teams
Saborio with Lindpere a distant second. Its not just that Saborio’s goal production has been among league leaders, but the timliness of his goals has been clutch. Once again this past weekend its Saborio who puts away the winning goal shortly before stoppage time.
The Estonian Express has been crucial for RBNY this year.
Can you imagine how flat RSLs attack would be if they hadn’t added Saborio this season. It’s not like Findley or Espindola are on fire…
Uhmmm a Sounders fan dude and no…he doesn’t warrant mention. Good for him he needs to perform for hte salary he is getting but just compare to Saborio…my vote also goes for Saborio. Great acquisition.
Bias much? Lindpere is arguably better
Doesn’t Blaise Nkufo at least warrant a mention? Dude’s got five goals in three games.
Sabo, hands down.
It’s Alvaro Saborio. It’s not even close.
i think saborio has been the best and most consistent of the lot, but it’s easy to see how juninho is to LA this year. when he has been out, there midfield has struggled to establish any rhythm in the center whatsoever. he may not be the most prevalent on the stat sheet like saborio, but he makes that LA offense click
lindpere
mad typossss “hes been a big part” “even”
Joel Linpere
I could vote for Saborio but I think Juninho has had greater overall impact.
The current vote percentages reflect my feelings – Saborio or Lindpere. Both have had massive impacts on their teams. I’d put Nielsen a close third, but he would be my keeper in an MLS Best XI.
joel linpere hes a big part of what the red bulls have done this year.Tho saborio has better stats linpere went to a team that was last in the league and for most of the season was the reason they are as good as they are now. ven with the 3 dps he still is an important player he doesnt leave the red bulls to do national team dutys like most player and that we all got to respect cause it shows how much he puts in to the red bulls.