MLS: Making a case for all five MVP finalists

We have seen several players have phenomenal seasons this MLS campaign, with five named on the MVP shortlist. Here is why each should be awarded the MVP award.

With the 2018 Major League Soccer season coming to its conclusion, the league has released its finalists for its biggest acknowledgement: the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player award.

After standout seasons, Zlatan Ibrahimović, Carlos Vela, Josef Martínez, Wayne Rooney, and Miguel Almirón have found themselves on this shortlist.

These players have helped their team achieve success that would otherwise be difficult without them, having some standout performances along the way.

Here’s why each individual should be crowned MVP.

Zlatan Ibrahimović

When Zlatan Ibrahimović joined the Los Angeles Galaxy in March, many were calling him the biggest singing in league history. He certainly agreed.

Ibrahimović added onto this hype himself, taking out a full page ad in the Los Angeles Times to simply tell the city, “You’re Welcome.”

The Swede backed up his words by dropping the jaws of soccer fans worldwide in his first appearance for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Not only did Ibrahimović score arguably the best goal of the season, but he helped the Galaxy beat new rivals Los Angeles FC in their first ever derby. This turned out to be an accurate representation of the 36-year-old’s debut MLS season.

Ibrahimović’s arrival gave the Galaxy a much-needed breath of fresh air and a leader up front. Coming off the worst season in franchise history, the five-time MLS Cup champions sought to find someone who can win them games. Zlatan Ibrahimović was just their man.

In 27 appearances, Ibrahimović found the back of the net 22 times, eight of them being game-winning goals.

In his first start in a Galaxy jersey, Ibrahimović was the difference in a tight match against the Chicago Fire. The change in the team’s offensive play became evident in this game, using the height and experience of their new star to score important goals.

Ibrahmimović’s best performance of the 2018 season also represented how big of an impact he had on a still struggling Galaxy side. In their late July match against Orlando City SC, the Galaxy struggled against a team that finished dead last in the Eastern Conference and would’ve suffered an embarrassing loss without Ibrahimović up front.

This seven-goal thriller was the peak of the Galaxy’s offensive play through

Ibrahimović. The number nine had a hand in all four of the Galaxy’s goals, proving that he was the new leader within the squad.

The team’s opening goal was assisted by the Swede, heading down a cross into the path of Giovanni dos Santos who slotted it into the back of the net. Once again, the Galaxy sent a looping cross Ibrahimović’s way, this time leading to the forward scoring with his head.

Ibrahimović continued his MVP performance to help his side find an equalizer for the third time. Another ball sent to the head of the striker was nodded into the path of Ola Kamara, who eventually returned the favor by finding Ibrahimović with a pristine cross, watching him score with a diving header.

Yet another cross was sent into the box in the game’s 71st minute. Although it didn’t reach Ibrahimović, Orlando City defender Amro Terek’s attempted clearance came right to him. A simple touch with his chest allowed Ibrahimović to fire a shot in the bottom left corner of the goal, winning the game for the Galaxy.

Without Zlatan Ibrahimović’s arrival, it’s likely the Galaxy would have finished in a similar position as the 2017 season.