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Who Will be the Next MLS MVP?

By Matthew Nelson

Dec 2, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto FC midfielder Sebastian Giovinco is presented with the Landon Donovan MVP trophy by MLS vice-president Todd Durbin after he was named the 2015 most valuable player by Major League Soccer during a presentation at Air Canada Centre. Looking on at right is Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 2, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Toronto FC midfielder Sebastian Giovinco is presented with the Landon Donovan MVP trophy by MLS vice-president Todd Durbin after he was named the 2015 most valuable player by Major League Soccer during a presentation at Air Canada Centre. Looking on at right is Toronto FC general manager Tim Bezbatchenko. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /
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With only 2 months left in the MLS, a few players have jumped head and shoulders above everyone else in the race for the MVP award.

The MLS regular season is starting to come to a close and there are a few strong cases from around the league for the MLS MVP award. With most teams having 7 regular season games left, these players only have a small amount of time remaining to make their case as the MLS’ Most Valuable Player. Here are 5 players that I believe are in contention for the award.

Sebastian Giovinco

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Last year’s winner of the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award is once again amazing us all with his play. He is currently on top of the MLS Golden Boot race with 16 goals and 13 assists and, even though he went on a 9 game scoreless run, he has propelled his team to the top of the Eastern Conference table. Sadly, Giovinco is going to have a hard time defending his title in this last push to the playoffs. Toronto announced Monday that Giovinco will miss 4 weeks with injury. Gio was subbed out in the 67th minute against Montreal after straining his quadriceps and his adductor. If Gio is going win the MVP award for the second year in a row, he will have to come back from the injury without missing a beat.

 Jelle Van Damme

August 7, 2016; Carson, CA, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) plays for the ball against Los Angeles Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme (37) during the first half at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
August 7, 2016; Carson, CA, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) plays for the ball against Los Angeles Galaxy defender Jelle Van Damme (37) during the first half at StubHub Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Though not many defenders win the MVP award, Van Damme is very much a deserving player. The huge LA Galaxy centerback has played in 23 out of the Galaxy’s 26 league matches and has cemented himself as one of the best, if not the best, centerback in the MLS. Sadly, similarly to Giovinco, Van Damme will be missing upcoming matches due to injury. The centerback went to twitter to announce his MCL strain that will keep him out for 2-3 weeks.

https://twitter.com/jelle_van_damme/status/770348903463923712?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

This injury could also keep Van Damme out of contention for the Most Valuable Player award but regardless of whether or not he receives the award, he has had one heck of a first season in the MLS.

David Villa

Aug 13, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; New York City FC forwards David Villa (7) and Stiven Mendoza (9) celebrate after Villa
Aug 13, 2016; Columbus, OH, USA; New York City FC forwards David Villa (7) and Stiven Mendoza (9) celebrate after Villa /

Villa is the man that NYCFC have been counting on all season. With 16 goals and 3rd in the MLS Golden Boot race (tie breaker is assists), the former Barcelona man has had an incredible 2nd season in the MLS. Something has to be said about Villa’s work rate as well. The striker didn’t come to the MLS just to retire easily and make some money at the same time. Villa has been working his butt off and has never settled for anything less than great. Here is a video of him completely going off on Lampard after an NYCFC win that wasn’t up to Villa’s standard:

Ignacio Piatti

Jun 25, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Impact midfielder Ignacio Piatti (10) celebrates his goal against Sporting Kansas City during the first half at Stade Saputo. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 25, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Impact midfielder Ignacio Piatti (10) celebrates his goal against Sporting Kansas City during the first half at Stade Saputo. Mandatory Credit: Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports /

The only midfielder in the top 7 in the Golden Boot race, Piatti is by far the most important player on the Montreal Impact and is practically carrying the team on his own shoulders. His shots-to-goal ration is the best in the MLS by a long shot and his 14 goals and 5 assists have not only been important in getting in playoff contention, but his play has also given them a 6 point gab above the red line. Yes Piatti has at times been overshadowed by the big goalscoring threats like Drogba and Oduro, but this season Piatti is finally getting the recognition and the credit he deserves.

Sacha Kljestan

Jul 24, 2016; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) celebrates scoring a penalty kick goal against the New York City FC during the first half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 24, 2016; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls midfielder Sacha Kljestan (16) celebrates scoring a penalty kick goal against the New York City FC during the first half at Red Bull Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /

After a terrible start to their Supporters’ Shield defending season, the New York Red Bulls have climbed the table and is now sitting pretty in 3rd place. They are just 1 point behind NYCFC in 2nd and 3 points behind Toronto FC in 1st. Bradley Wright-Phillips rediscovering his goalscoring touch receives some of the credit for this resurgence, but most of the praise should go to Sacha Kljestan. The midfield work-horse has picked up a ridiculous number of 15 assists to go with his 5 goals this season. Because of his success, Kljestan has earned a US Men’s National Team call-up for the hard work he is putting in on the field.

Next: Winningest Franchises in MLS History

All 5 of these players have put in some incredible work over the season and probably all deserve the Landon Donovan MLS MVP award. But sadly, only one can be awarded the highly sought-after prize. Who do you think should win it? Let us know in the comments below

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