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MLS: Top 5 Rookie of the Year Candidates so far

By Nathan Reynolds

Apr 15, 2017; Commerce City, CO, USA; Real Salt Lake forward Brooks Lennon (27) with the ball against Colorado Rapids midfielder Michael Azira (22) during the second half at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. Real Salt Lake won the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 15, 2017; Commerce City, CO, USA; Real Salt Lake forward Brooks Lennon (27) with the ball against Colorado Rapids midfielder Michael Azira (22) during the second half at Dicks Sporting Goods Park. Real Salt Lake won the game 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports /
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With almost 20% of the MLS season complete, we take a look at five young standouts who are candidates for the Rookie of the Year award.

The MLS has 51 players listed as rookies for the 2017 season (find a link to the full list below). Now that almost one-fifth of the season is in the books, who has stood out? Top draft pick, Jeremy Ebobisse, has yet to play for the Timbers,and  a few new names have popped up since preseason.

Before the season started, the staff here at MLS Multiplex predicted who would win this award. Here are five rookies that have impressed and are in line for the 2017 Rookie of the Year Award. (Note: These are not in a ranking order).

Mar 31, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel (24) shoots the ball against the Seattle Sounders during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 31, 2017; Seattle, WA, USA; Atlanta United midfielder Julian Gressel (24) shoots the ball against the Seattle Sounders during the first half at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports /

Julian Gressel (Atlanta United)

The club picked up Gressel with the number eight overall pick in the 2017 SuperDraft  after a standout college career at Providence in the Big East.

Position: Midfielder

Games Played / Games Started: 6/6

Minutes Played: 467

Goals/Assists: 0/1

Team Position: 6th in the East

Mar 18, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; D.C. United midfielder Ian Harkes (23) controls the ball against the Columbus Crew during the second half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 18, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; D.C. United midfielder Ian Harkes (23) controls the ball against the Columbus Crew during the second half at Robert F. Kennedy Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

Ian Harkes (DC United)

Won the MAC Hermann Trophy given to the best player in college soccer after a great career at Wake Forest. Signed with the club in January as their ninth homegrown player.

Position: Midfielder

Games Played / Games Started: 5/5

Minutes Played: 450

Goals/Assists: 0/0

Team Position: 8th in the East

Apr 8, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution defender Joshua Smith (27) and Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (19) battle for control of the ball during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 8, 2017; Foxborough, MA, USA; New England Revolution defender Joshua Smith (27) and Houston Dynamo forward Mauro Manotas (19) battle for control of the ball during the first half at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports /

Joshua Smith (New England Revolution)

The second rookie on the list to have spent time in Germany. He was a 4th round pick in the 2017 SuperDraft out of the University of San Francisco. His physical presence as just a rookie bodes well for the center of the Revolution defense in the years ahead.

Position: Defender

Games Played / Games Started: 3/3

Minutes Played: 269

Goals/Assists: 0/0

Team Position: 7th in the East

Brooks Lennon (Real Salt Lake)

After spending time in the RSL youth academy, he signed with Liverpool. After spending time helping the US U-20 team qualify for the U-20 World Cup, he is back in the states on loan from the EPL side.

Position: Forward

Games Played / Games Started: 5/5

Minutes Played: 450

Goals/Assists: 1/0

Team Position: 6th in the West

Mar 11, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski (8) celebrates with defender Nick Lima (24) after a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half at Avaya Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 11, 2017; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski (8) celebrates with defender Nick Lima (24) after a goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps during the first half at Avaya Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports /

Nick Lima (San Jose Earthquakes)

Signed as a home grown player ahead of the season, Lima has been involved with the San Jose organization since 2010. Four years of collegiate experience at the University of California, while also getting playing time with the Burlingame Dragons in the USL PDL.

Position: Defender

Games Played / Games Started: 7/7

Minutes Played: 630

Goals/Assists: 1/0

Team Position: 5th in the West

Next: Is there an MLS backline that would actual want John Terry?

You can find the full list of MLS rookies for the 2017 campaign here. Let us know who you think is the standout thus far this season.

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