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Two Man Race For Major League Soccer’s Golden Boot Award

By Jerry Stephens

May 10, 2015; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) and New York City FC forward David Villa (7) battle for a loose ball during the second half at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls defeated NYC FC 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports
May 10, 2015; Harrison, NJ, USA; New York Red Bulls forward Bradley Wright-Phillips (99) and New York City FC forward David Villa (7) battle for a loose ball during the second half at Red Bull Arena. The Red Bulls defeated NYC FC 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Andy Marlin-USA TODAY Sports /
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As Major League Soccer’s regular season comes to a close, there is a two man race between Bradley Wright-Phillips and David Villa for the Golden Boot Award.

One of the most coveted awards in Major League Soccer is the Golden Boot award which is given to the player who scores the most goals in a given season. This year it is a close race between Bradley Wright-Phillips and David Villa. Coincidently, the two are on rivaling teams in the New York Red Bulls and New York City FC, making the race for the award even more interesting.

Bradley Wright-Phillips has scored 20 goals so far this year and he currently leads Major League Soccer this season with only thee games remaining on his team’s schedule. The England international has already won the Golden Boot award once before back in 2014. The former Premier League player also has five assists which could come into play as the tiebreaker if him and Villa are tied in goals at the end of the season.

David Villa is close to BWP with 19 goals scored of his own this season. Even after all of his success in La Liga, the Spain international has never won a Golden Boot Award in his career in league play. The former Valencia, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid player only has three assists one the year so he would likely have to beat his opponent outright on goals scored to hoist MLS’s Golden Boot.

NOTE: *It is unlikely Sebastian Giovinco (16 goals), catches these two before the end of the season but anything could happen as Toronto FC have four games left. Ola Kamara (15 goals) may be an interesting player as his team have five games left.*

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Remaining Games

Both BWP and Villa have three games remaining on their schedule this season. The Red Bulls will take on the Philadelphia Union at home, then the Columbus Crew at home, and close out 2016 against Philadelphia on the road. While NYCFC will face the Houston Dynamo away from home, DC United away, and finally the Crew at home.

Wright-Phillips has the edge in opponents as he will be agains the Union twice in his final three games and they have allowed the fourth most goals (48) in the Eastern Conference  and fifth most in the league. Columbus aren’t far behind as they have allowed the seventh most goals (46) in the East and the ninth most in MLS.

Villa has the tougher task at hand as Houston have only allowed 38 goals this season which is fourth best in the league. As for DC United, they have only allowed 41 this season which is third best in the East and 10th in MLS. His final match against the Crew will be the easiest of the remaining games.

Current Form

Bradley has recorded five goals in his past five games for the Red Bulls. Although, he was held scoreless in his last match, which allowed Villa to get back into the Golden Boot race. He will need to rebound after that rare goose egg.

On the other hand, David has only scored three goals in his last five matches for NYCFC. He may not have the best form over his last five but Villa has the upper hand in his last game. As the leading man for New York City, he scored two goals and bagged one assist in their last match.

Playoff Implications

There is another race outside of the Golden Boot and that is for the top spot in the Eastern Conference. The New York Red Bulls and New York City FC are bitter rivals based on location but they are also battling for a bye in the first round of the playoffs with a top-two finish in the East. Both teams are tied with Toronto FC with 48 points overall. TFC have more games remaining on their schedule but NYRB and NYCFC have an identical 13W-9L-9D record this year.

BWP and Villa are each crucial to their club’s success and their play down the stretch will result in whether or not their team achieves a top-two seed. Each team has clinched their spot in the postseason, first tim for NYCFC and seventh season in a row for NYRB, but they will be vying for that bye week that comes with a top-two spot. Both clubs are only five points out of the Supporters’ Shield award behind FC Dallas but it is unlikely that they grab that trophy this season.

The race for the top spot in the Eastern Conference coupled with the race for MLS’s Golden Boot will be thrilling as it will be a fight to the finish. Both BWP and Villa are world-class scorers who are at he top of their game in Major League Soccer this season.

Next: Chelsea's Branislav Ivanovic to MLS in 2017?

Major League Soccer’s Golden Boot race is heating up and it’s just getting started. It will be interesting to watch how this race plays out between Bradley Wright-Phillips and David Villa over the next few weeks. Who do you have taking the award?

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