MLS Rookie Of The Year Prediction (VIDEO)

Over the next two weeks we here at MLS Multiplex will take a look at all of the contenders for the MLS end of season awards. To kick things off, we will look at the MLS Rookie of the Year. Disagree with our prediction? Let us know below!

Schools out for Steve Birnbaum, Tesho Akindele, and Harry Shipp. Although many players struggle to make the transition between the amateur and professional levels, these three players have survived and conquered MLS. But which one of the three should be the MLS Rookie of the Year? Let’s take a look at each:

Nov 8, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; D.C. United defender Steve Birnbaum (15) passes the ball during the first half against the New York Red Bulls at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports

Steve Birnbaum

Defender D.C. United

C/V: 21 starts out of 21 games played, was part of a defense that allowed a league low 37 goals

When Steve Birnbaum started his first match back in June against the Columbus Crew, there was a lot of questions about what he would be able to accomplish. Having not made a single appearance or start and having come straight out of college, it was expected that he would have many bumps along the way. But Birnbaum fit in seamlessly with center-back mate Bobby Boswell and anchored one of the most difficult defenses in the league.

The biggest adjustment that Birnbaum made in his first season was in his tracking. While at California, Birnbaum often get caught on counter-attacks by teams. But with D.C. he could sit back more and focus on catching the attacker looking to catch the defense napping. His work on Colorado Rapids for Deshorn Brown in August’s 4-2 victory.

He also has history on his side: of the previous 18 MLS Rookies of the Year 8 have been defenders, 7 have been midfielders, and 3 have been forwards (sorry goalkeepers).

The biggest question with him would be what real impact he made on D.C. United. The player he replaced, Jeff Parke, was doing just fine in essentially the same position. Plus Boswell was often tasked with doing the heavy lifting in the center-back position.

One of the most important criteria of winning an award should be if this particular player had a greater value over another player. Perhaps it is because defense is not a glamorous position but there really isn’t a particular moment that stands out for Birnbaum in 2014.

Oct 29, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA;FC Dallas forward Tesho Akindele (13) celebrates scoring a goal in the first half against the Vancouver Whitecaps at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

Tesho Akindele

Forward F.C. Dallas (Drafted 6th)

C/V: 7 Goals, 3 Assists in 26 matches.

It is one thing to come out of the college system and immediately be an asset on the attack. It is another thing to come from the Colorado School of the Mines and be an asset on one of the best teams in the Western Conference. But that is exactly what Tesho Akindele was for F.C. Dallas in 2014.

Aside from his amazing hat trick against the San Jose Earthquakes in August, what made Akindele such a great player for F.C. Dallas was his pace. After the Dallas lost Mauro Diaz for an extended period due to a leg break Akindele came in and made an immediate impact.

F.C. Dallas coach Oscar Pareja has implemented a system that requires fluid passing and movement without the ball. Akindele provided this, opening up space for Fabian Castillo and Blas Perez. F.C. Dallas scored 55 goals in 2014, fourth-highest in MLS. Having such a high-powered offense allowed them to make it the Western Conference playoffs and defeat the Vancouver Whitecaps in the opening round. Who scored the opening goal of that match? Tesho Akindele.

The one knock against Akindele though is that he did seem to fade down the stretch. His seven goals were impressive. But if you take out his hat trick in August that means that he only scored 4 goals during the regular season. He also ended the season on a dry spell, going goalless in his last 10 matches.

Much of that is due to Oscar Pareja bringing David Teixeira and Mauro Diaz back into the fold. But Akindele also only had 6 shots during that time period. Those are not good numbers for a striker at any level of experience.

May 10, 2014; Harrison, NJ, USA; Chicago Fire midfielder Harry Shipp (19) celebrates after scoring a goal against the New York Red Bulls during the second half of a game at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Harry Shipp

Midfielder Chicago Fire (Signed as a Homegrown Player)

C/V: 7 Goals, 6 Assists in 26 matches

From the College Cup final to his first match against the Portland Timbers on March the 13th, Shipp never skipped a beat. Always a menace on attack, Shipp was able to put his team on his back at times and will them to a result (Notice I didn’t say win?)

Shipp’s best asset as a player is his vision. Whether he is looking for a pass or to expose a weak link in the defense, Shipp can either make the decisive pass or find the back of the net.

He also has something that the other two players lack somewhat: a statement game. While Akindele had a hat trick against a poor Earthquakes team, Shipp’s came against the New York Red Bulls on the road.

But MLS is a results-driven business and the Fire (6-10-18, 36 points) underachieved greatly in 2014. Part of the issue was this team was that they were completely unable to defend and in particular they could not retain possession in the midfield. That falls squarely upon Shipp, who at times did not go back on defense.

And the winner is….Akindele

Harry Shipp is eliminated just because of how poorly he and his team played down the stretch. It seems difficult to give any award to a player whose team was second-to-last in a poor Eastern Conference.

The decision between Akindele and Birnbaum was difficult. Both players played on teams that were at the top of the league and both had memorable stretches for their clubs. But because Akindele played against a more difficult Western Conference which featured three of the top teams in the league and three of the best defenses in the league.