Most Improved Player of the Year

CONOR CASEY, PHILADELPHIA UNION
10 goals, 5 assists this year versus 2 goals, 3 assists last year

2. Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution
3. Jalil Anibaba, Chicago Fire

Coach of the Year

MIKE PETKE, NEW YORK RED BULLS
New York 17-9-8 with him
Won Supporters Shield

2. Caleb Porter, Portland Timbers
3. Jason Kreis, Real Salt Lake

Newcomer of the Year

DIEGO VALERI, PORTLAND TIMBERS
10 goals
13 assists
Portland 9-5-14 when he played

2. Obafemi Martins, Seattle Sounders
3. Raul Fernandez, FC Dallas

Goalkeeper of the Year

DONOVAN RICKETTS, PORTLAND TIMBERS
14 clean sheets
0.97 GAA
92 saves
Portland 13-5-14 with him in goal

2. Luis Robles, New York Red Bulls
3. Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

Defender of the Year

JAMISON OLAV, NEW YORK RED BULLS
4 goals
Consistently influenced the defense for New York and would often try to start the attack

2. Jose Goncalves, New England Revolution
3. Matt Besler, Sporting Kansas City

Rookie of the Year

DESHORN BROWN, COLORADO RAPIDS
10 goals
4 assists
Always showed up on the Rapids and was a key in the offense

2. Gyasi Zardes, Los Angeles Galaxy
3. DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders

Substitute of the Year

LLOYD SAM, NEW YORK RED BULLS
22 games, 8 starts
5 goals
1 assist
Often stepped in for Petke when needed and always gave 100%

2. Quincy Amarikwa, Chicago Fire
3. Kekkutah Manneh, Vancouver Whitecaps

Best Young Player of the Year

DIEGO FAGUNDEZ, NEW ENGLAND REVOLUTION
13 goals
7 assists
5 game winning goals

2. Deshorn Brown, Colorado Rapids
3. Jack McInerney

Best Old Guy of the Year

MARCO DI VAIO, MONTREAL IMPACT
20 goals
2 assists
5 game winning goals

2. Donovan Ricketts, Portland Timbers
3. Tim Cahill, New York Red Bulls

Best Summer Newcomer of the Year

JAIME PENEDO, LOS ANGELES GALAXY
4 clean sheets
7 goals against
9 games played
0.78 GAA

2. Gabriel Torres, Colorado Rapids
3. Juan Luis Anongano, Chicago Fire

US National Team Player of the Year

LANDON DONOVAN, LOS ANGELES GALAXY
8 goals for LA, 8 for USA
8 assists for LA, 9 for USA
Aided the USA in winning the CONCACAF Gold Cup- where he was named the MVP

2. Graham Zusi, Sporting Kansas City
3. Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

International Player of the Year

TIM CAHILL, NEW YORK RED BULLS/AUSTRALIA
11 goals for New York, 2 goals for Australia who secured a berth in the World Cup
5 assists for New York
Played 27 games for New York Red Bulls, 2 games for Australia

This award goes to him more for his contributions to New York (which are MVP worthy) than for Australia, but he has had a couple of goals for the Aussies.

2. Robbie Keane, Los Angeles Galaxy/Ireland
3. Joel Lindpere, Chicago Fire/Estonia

My Awards

Most Valuable Player- NOVEMBER 4
Mike Magee, Chicago Fire

Camilo, Vancouver Whitecaps

Tim Cahill, New York Red Bulls

Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers

Substitute of the Year- NOVEMBER 3
Quincy Amarikwa, Chicago Fire

Lloyd Sam, New York Red Bulls

Kekkutah Manneh, Vancouver Whitecaps

Rookie of the Year- NOVEMBER 3
Deshorn Brown, Colorado Rapids

DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders

Gyasi Zardes, Los Angeles Galaxy

Defender of the Year- NOVEMBER 2
Jamison Olave, New York Red Bulls

Jose Goncalves, New England Revolution

Matt Besler, Sporting Kansas City

Goalkeeper of the Year- NOVEMBER 1
Donovan Ricketts, Portland Timbers

Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

Luis Robles, New York Red Bulls

Newcomer of the Year- NOVEMBER 1
Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers

Obafemi Martins, Seattle Sounders

Raul Fernandez, FC Dallas

Coach of the Year- OCTOBER 31
Mike Petke, New York Red Bulls

Caleb Porter, Portland Timbers

Jason Kreis, Real Salt Lake

Most Improved Player of the Year- OCTOBER 31
Jalil Anibaba, Chicago Fire

Conor Casey, Philadelphia Union

Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution

Best Young Player of the Year- OCTOBER 30
Jack McInerney, Philadelphia Union

Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution

Deshorn Brown, Colorado Rapids

Best Old Guy of the Year- OCTOBER 30
Marco Di Vaio, Montreal Impact

Donovan Ricketts, Portland Timbers

Tim Cahill, New York Red Bulls

Best Summer Newcomer of the Year- OCTOBER 29
Juan Luis Anongano, Chicago Fire

Gabriel Torres, Colorado Rapids

Jaime Penedo, Los Angeles Galaxy

International Player of the Year- OCTOBER 28
Robbie Keane, Los Angeles Galaxy/Ireland

Joel Lindpere, Chicago Fire/Estonia

Tim Cahill, New York Red Bulls/Australia

US National Team Player of the Year- OCTOBER 28
Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy

Graham Zusi, Sporting Kansas City

Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

MLS First, Second, and Third XI will all be announced on November 5

MLS USA WORLD CUP SQUAD

My choices are based on stats and a bit on bias.  But these are the 23 Americans from the MLS who would be on my World Cup squad.
1. Sean Johnson, G- Chicago Fire
2. Sheanon Williams, D- Philadelphia Union
3. Corey Ashe, D- Houston Dynamo
4. Omar Gonzalez, D- Los Angeles Galaxy
5. Brad Evans, D- Seattle Sounders
6. Matt Besler, D- Sporting Kansas City
7. Eddie Johnson, F- Seattle Sounders
8. Clint Dempsey, M- Seattle Sounders
9. Mike Magee, M- Chicago Fire
10. Landon Donovan, F- Los Angeles Galaxy
11. Brad Davis, M- Houston Dynamo
12. Clint Irwin, G- Colorado Rapids
13. Benny Felihaber, M- Sporting Kansas City
14. Kyle Beckerman, M- Real Salt Lake
15. Clarence Goodson, D- San Jose Earthquakes
16. Patrick Nyarko, M- Chicago Fire
17. Jalil Anibaba, D- Chicago Fire
18. Graham Zusi, M- Sporting Kansas City
19. Chris Wondolowski, F- San Jose Earthquakes
20. Jack McInerney, F- Philadelphia Union
21. Dillon Powers, M- Colorado Rapids
22. Nick Rimando, G- Real Salt Lake
23. Austin Berry, D- Chicago Fire

STARTING XI
                                                                     Johnson

Evans                                     Gonzalez                           Besler                                      Goodson

                                               Beckerman                       Davis

Zusi                                                              Dempsey (VC)                                             Magee

                                                                     Donovan (C)

Who are the top 5 for other awards?

Substitute of the Year
Quincy Amarikwa, Chicago Fire
Josh Saunders, Real Salt Lake
Andy Rose, Seattle Sounders
Lloyd Sam, New York Red Bulls
Kekkutah Manneh, Vancouver Whitecaps
Rookie of the Year
Deshorn Brown, Colorado Rapids
DeAndre Yedlin, Seattle Sounders
Gyasi Zardes, Los Angeles Galaxy
Dillon Powers, Colorado Rapids
Yazid Atouba, Chicago Fire
Defender of the Year
Jamison Olave, New York Red Bulls
Jose Goncalves, New England Revolution
Andrew Jean-Baptiste, Portland Timbers
Aurelien Colin, Sporting Kansas City
Chris Klute, Colorado Rapids
Goalkeeper of the Year
Donovan Ricketts, Portland Timbers
Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake
Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire
Luis Robles, New York Red Bulls
Clint Irwin, Colorado Rapids
Newcomer of the Year
Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers
Raul Fernandez, FC Dallas
Juninho Pernmabucano, New York Red Bulls
Obafemi Martins, Seattle Sounders
Robert Earnshaw, Toronto FC
Coach of the Year
Mike Petke, New York Red Bulls
Frank Klopas, Chicago Fire
Caleb Porter, Portland Timbers
Jason Kreis, Real Salt Lake
Oscar Pareja, Colorado Rapids
Most Improved Player of the Year
Jalil Anibaba, Chicago Fire
Conor Casey, Colorado Rapids
Marco Di Vaio, Montreal Impact
Dominic Oduro, Columbus Crew
Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution
Best Young Player of the Year
Diego Fagundez, New England Revolution
Jack McInerney, Philadelphia Union
Deshorn Brown, Colorado Rapids
Juan Agudelo, New England Revolution
Kekutah Manneh, Vancouver Whitecaps
Best Old Guy of the Year
Marco Di Vaio, Montreal Impact
Donovan Ricketts, Portland Timbers
Jon Busch, San Jose Earthquakes
Tim Cahill, New York Red Bulls
Jimmy Nielson, Sporting Kansas City
Best Summer Newcomer of the Year
Juan Luis Anongano, Chicago Fire
Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders
Clarence Goodson, San Jose Earthquakes
Alvaro Rey, Toronto FC
Gabriel Torres, Colorado Rapids
International Player of the Year
Robbie Keane, Los Angeles Galaxy/Ireland
Joel Lindpere, Chicago Fire/Estonia
Tim Cahill, New York Red Bulls/Australia
Will Johnson, Portland Timbers/Canada
Darren Mattocks, Vancouver Whitecaps/Jamaica
US National Team Player of the Year
Landon Donovan, Los Angeles Galaxy
Graham Zusi, Sporting Kansas City
Eddie Johnson, Seattle Sounders
Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire
Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake

MLS Playoff Predictions and Award Predictions

EAST-
1. New York
2. Sporting
3. Houston
4. Chicago
5. Montreal
Chicago beats Montreal 3-0 at home
Sporting tops Houston with a 2-0 win at home then a 1-1 draw away
Chicago beats New York 4-2 at home then wins 2-1 in New York
Chicago edges Sporting 2-1 at home then 1-1 draw away
TOP SCORER: Mike Magee (Chicago), 7 goals (also 3 assists)
TOP ASSISTANT: Juan Luis Anongano (Chicago), 4 assists (also 3 goals)
WEST-
1. Portland
2. Real Salt Lake
3. Seattle
4. Colorado
5. San Jose
Colorado beats San Jose 2-1 at home
Seattle draws Real Salt Lake 0-0 at home then wins 2-1 in Salt Lake City
Portland destroys Colorado with two 3-0 wins
Portland edges Seattle with a 1-1 draw in Seattle and a 1-0 win in Portland
TOP SCORER: Diego Valeri (Portland), 4 goals (also 2 assists)
TOP ASSISTANT: Will Johnson (Portland), Diego Valeri (Portland), Eddie Johnson (Seattle), 2 assists each
MLS CUP FINAL
PORTLAND TIMBERS 0-4 CHICAGO FIRE
Mike Magee- 2 goals, 1 assist
Juan Luis Anongano- 1 goal, 1 assist
Jeff Larentowicz- 1 goal
Sean Johnson (Chicago)- 15 saves, CS

MVP: Sean Johnson, Chicago Fire



AWARDS
MVP- Mike Magee, Chicago Fire
Defender of the Year- Jamison Olave, New York Red Bulls
Coach of the Year- Caleb Porter, Portland Timbers
Goalkeeper of the Year- Nick Rimando, Real Salt Lake
Rookie of the Year- Deshorn Brown, Colorado Rapids
Golden Boot- Mike Magee, Chicago Fire- 23 goals, 6 assists
Newcomer of the Year- Diego Valeri, Portland Timbers

Week 32 Power Rankings

1. New York Red Bulls (+1)
2. Real Salt Lake (+2)
3. Seattle Sounders (-2)
4. Colorado Rapids (+1)
5. Portland Timbers (-2)
6. Sporting Kansas City
7. Los Angeles Galaxy (+1)
8. Houston Dynamo (+1)
9. Chicago Fire (+3)
10. Montreal Impact (-3)
11. Philadelphia Union (+3)
12. Vancouver Whitecaps (-2)
13. San Jose Earthquakes (+2)
14. New England Revolution (-1)
15. Columbus Crew (-3)
16. FC Dallas
17. Toronto FC
18. DC United (+1)
19. Chivas USA (-1)

Chicago Fire Best Team

Today is the 16th Anniversary of my favorite team the Chicago Fire.  In honor of this, I'll be naming their best players over the last 16 years.
G: Zach Thornton
G: Jon Busch
G: Sean Johnson
D: Chris Brown
D: Arne Friedrich
D: Bakary Soumare
D: Gonzalo Segares
D: Lubos Kubik
D: Cory Gibbs
D: Carlos Bocanegra
M: Pavel Pardo
M: Marco Pappa
M: Cuauhtémoc Blanco
M: Peter Nowak
M: Chris Armas
M: Hristo Stoichkov
M: DaMarcus Beasley
S: Ante Razov
S: Patrick Nyarko
S: Chris Rolfe
S: Brian McBride
S: Frank Klopas
S: Mike Magee

COACH: Bob Bradley
STARTING XI
                                                Thornton
Soumare             Brown                                 Kubik          Segares
                           Stoichkov                            Nowak
Blanco                                                                                Pappa
                           Razov                                  Klopas
BENCH
Busch
Friedrich
Bocanegra
Beasley
Armas
Magee
McBride

MLS Power Rankings week 31

1. Seattle Sounders
2. New York Red Bulls
3. Portland Timbers (+1)
4. Real Salt Lake (-1)
5. Colorado Rapids (+2)
6. Sporting Kansas City
7. Montreal Impact (+1)
8. Los Angeles Galaxy (-3)
9. Houston Dynamo
10. Vancouver Whitecaps
11. Columbus Crew (+2)
12. Chicago Fire
13. New England Revolution (-2)
14. Philadelphia Union (+2)
15. San Jose Earthquakes (-1)
16. FC Dallas (-1)
17. Toronto FC
18. DC United
19. Chivas USA

Who really is the leading MVP candidate???

Mike Magee, the savior of the Chicago Fire
Robbie Keane, statistical leader
Marco Di Vaio, golden boot leader
Diego Valeri, golden assistant
And then- the dark horses of the competition- Camilo (Vancouver), Frederico Higuain (Columbus), Diego Fagundez (Revolution).

So- who really IS the leader?!?!?!

Looking at the playoff statistics, only three of these men are on teams that are in the playoffs (Keane, Di Vaio, Valeri).  And they haven't even booked their tickets into November!  The way I see it- the MVP will be among this group, with the possible inclusion of say Eddie Johnson or Nick Rimando.  These men have led their teams and/or had a great statistical season.  The Golden Boot winner always is in the final three.  And usually so is the guy who contributed the most to his team.  And transferred players who go to a failing team and put it into playoff contention are usually high on that list.  But here's the thing that I say will decide the MVP- the golden boot.  Magee gets a hat trick or a brace, or even a goal- and Di Vaio doesn't score.  Magee will be in the lead for Golden Boot.  The Fire face a probably hung over US Open Cup winning DC United on Friday.  Montreal will head to a fortress- Houston Dynamo's BBVA Compass Stadium.  Will we see the golden boot leader change hands??  I think so- and here's why. 

DC are out of the playoffs.  They've really been out since July.  And their stars are probably tired from the US Open Cup win.  Well, it wouldn't shock me or probably anybody to see DC put out a side that isn't all there- tired, hung over (possibly literally), and just fighting not to get throttled.  Well- we then see a Chicago who wants revenge for DC knocking them out of the Cup.  Klopas has been trying to find the right players to put out there.  Magee, who will no doubt be the Fire MVP, will be at the center of the offense.  He wants that hat trick- and what better way to get it than against a poor side?  Chicago will probably win it- and Magee will probably score. 

On the other side- Houston Dynamo.  23 goals for at home- compared to 9 against.  And Houston wants a win too badly- with a win, they go into playoff contention, without the need of a wild card game.  Di Vaio is being figured out.  You saw it when the Fire faced Montreal.  Austin Berry was always on him, with Larentowicz nearby in case he was needed.  And against a Houston side that's been one of the best defenses, and have their great goalie, Di Vaio will find scoring extremely difficult.

But- that's just between Di Vaio and Magee.  What about Keane or Valeri, or anyone else?  Keane and Valeri are similar.  The only difference is Keane has played less games than Valeri.  But the team betterer award among these two goes to Diego.  He's contributed much to Portland, while LA relies on Keane, Donovan, Gonzalez, Junhinho, etc.  He isn't relied on as much as Valeri, Magee, or Di Vaio.  But the team betterer award should go to the player who plays great in multiple positions. 

Magee, Valeri, Di Vaio, Keane, and a dark horse (probably Camilo).  The best defenders- Valeri and Magee.  They are natural midfielders.  You see them running back all the time. 

After all this, I leave this prediction of how it'll end:

Magee (aka Mr. November) has a great month in October, leading the golden boot race.  Chicago make the playoffs by the skin of their teeth.  He wins October Player of the Month.

Valeri has a great month as well.  He gets multiple goals and takes sole possession of the assistant leader board.  He barely looses to Magee for player of the month.

Keane is called up by Ireland halfway through, and teams pounce on the chance.  LA barely miss the playoffs with Keane holding his head on the last day while watching Seattle celebrate a win.

Di Vaio starts to show his age, and Montreal's offense grows weak.  Montreal make the playoffs barely, with Di Vaio loosing the golden boot.

MVP VOTES
1. Mike Magee
2. Diego Valeri
3. Robbie Keane
4. Marco Di Vaio
5. Camilo