It's been the most unpredictable, up-and-down MLS season in recent memory, and maybe of all time. We've played 95 percent of the season, and literally every award - not to mention eight of the 10 playoff spots - is still up for grabs.
But we're brave, so with two weekends remaining, we're going to start with our awards picks. Foolish? Maybe. But as the Romans said, audentes fortuna iuvat!
<strong>Editor</strong> |
<strong>Score</strong> |
<strong>Comments</strong> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/GregLalas_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Greg Lalas</strong><br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p> |
<br><p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dillon-powers" target="_blank"><strong>DILLON POWERS</strong></a><br><strong>Colorado Rapids</strong></p> |
<p>Not expected to even start, he quickly established himself as the driving force for the revamped – and much improved – Rapids. He's a composed leader, and should be a steady presence in Colorado's midfield for years to come.</p><ul><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/07/27/goal-powers-extends-rapids-lead-just-after-halftime" target="_blank"><strong>GOAL: Powers finishes on the run</strong></a></li></ul> |
<br><p><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/freedman_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jonah Freedman</strong><br><em>Managing Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dillon-powers" target="_blank"><strong>DILLON POWERS</strong></a><br><strong>Colorado Rapids</strong></p> |
<p>Contingent on Colorado making the playoffs, of course. But there probably isn't a tougher position for a rookie to step into than central midfield – Powers has had more pressure heaped upon him than perhaps any kid in the league this season. He's second on the team in goals and assists, too.</p><ul><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/06/29/goal-harris-rises-above-defense" target="_blank"><strong>ASSIST: Powers puts it on a dime</strong></a></li></ul> |
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/valencia_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p class="rtecenter"><strong>Kristel Valencia</strong><br><em><span style="font-size: 12px;">Editor FutbolMLS.com</span></em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/deandre-yedlin" target="_blank"><strong>DEANDRE YEDLIN</strong></a><br><b>Seattle Sounders</b></p> |
<p>Had consistency in Seattle’s defense with solid performances (28 games played as starter) that made him one of the best right backs in the league. His versatile game, which combines both defending and attacking, put him on the All-Star Game roster and also on Klinsmann’s radar for a potential cap to the US senior team..</p><ul><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/09/25/future-fullbacks-usmnt-between-lines" target="_blank"><strong>ANALYST: Future USMNT fullback?</strong></a></li></ul> |
<p class="rtecenter"><em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Doyle_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><br><strong>Matt Doyle</strong><br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/deshorn-brown" target="_blank"><strong>DESHORN BROWN</strong></a><br><strong>Colorado Rapids</strong></p> |
<p>Brown has been a consistent goal-scoring threat from the wing of the 4-3-3 since Day 1, and if you don't have one of those, you can't play the 4-3-3 (just look at how much KC have struggled at times without Kei Kamara). He is relentless, he is unselfish, and he is a blindingly fast physical presence that you have to account for from whistle to whistle.</p><ul><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/10/05/goal-deshorn-brown-slips-past-seattle-defense-and-scores-opening-seconds" target="_blank"><strong>GOAL: Brown makes MLS history</strong></a></li></ul> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/AndrewWiebe_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Andrew Wiebe</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dillon-powers" target="_blank"><strong>DILLON POWERS</strong></a><br><strong>Colorado Rapids</strong></p> |
<p>In the end, the race came down to two Rapids — talk about SuperDraft savvy – but Powers is the pick despite Brown's goalscoring edge. Rookie? He never showed any signs of being a first-year pro, bringing veteran-esque composure and quality to Oscar Pareja's midfield.</p><ul><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-03-30-col-v-por/highlights/215271" target="_blank"><strong>GOAL: Powers laser finds the corner</strong></a></li></ul> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/JasonSaghini_1.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Jason Saghini</strong><br><em>Director of Video</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dillon-powers" target="_blank"><strong>DILLON POWERS</strong></a><br><strong>Colorado Rapids</strong></p> |
<p>Five goals and six assists are solid numbers for anyone, never mind a rookie, but it's the 29 starts that are most impressive from the 22-year-old. He's been a huge part of the youth movement that has turned around the Rapids.</p><ul><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/08/03/goal-castrillon-ties-it-klute-cross" target="_blank"><strong>ASSIST: Powers puts Klute into space</strong></a></li></ul> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Borg_0.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Simon Borg</strong><br><em>Senior Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dillon-powers" target="_blank"><strong>DILLON POWERS</strong></a><br><strong>Colorado Rapids</strong></p> |
<p>It's hard to step from college into the pros and win a starting spot in central midfield. Few have accomplished the feat, yet Powers had done it with aplomb — great touches, excellent passing, spectacular goals, loads of hustle and plenty of personality.</p><ul><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/04/28/goal-drew-moor-buries-powers-corner-kick" target="_blank"><strong>ASSIST: Powers corner kick finds Moor</strong></a></li></ul> |
<p class="rtecenter"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Rosano_2.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><br><strong>Nick Rosano</strong><br><em>Editor</em></p> |
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/dillon-powers" target="_blank"><strong>DILLON POWERS</strong></a><br><strong>Colorado Rapids</strong></p> |
<p>Powers has logged more than 400 more minutes than teammate Deshorn Brown while contributing five goals and six assists from his central midfield spot, where he has started all but three of the Rapids' 32 games to date. His consistency, production and versatility make him a worthy choice for the award.</p><ul><li><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2013/10/05/goal-powers-blast-header-inside-near-post-corner" target="_blank"><strong>GOAL: Powers first to the near post</strong></a></li></ul> |
