With one month left in the MLS season, it's pretty clear who the front-runner is for the Landon Donovan MVP award.
Last Saturday, Sebastian Giovinco became the first player in MLS history to record a 20-goal, 15-assist season and the Italian shows no signs of slowing down. He will be trying to get Toronto FC a home game in the Audi 2015 MLS Cup Playoffs over the next month.
He's followed by Golden Boot leader Kei Kamara, who had another stellar month scoring four goals.
Here's how the rankings are determined: 10 of MLSsoccer.com's editors were polled for their top five MVP candidates, as of this month. Their votes were aggregated, resulting in the list below.
Five points were given to a player who received a first-place vote, four to a second-place vote, three to a third-place vote, two for a fourth-place vote and one point was given if a player received a fifth-place vote.
This is an unofficial list. It does NOT reflect actual MVP voting.
POINTS:
49
RANK: 1
LAST MONTH: 1
Sebastian Giovinco — TOR
29 Games Played | 20 Goals (2nd) | 14 Assists (1st)
Having already recorded one of the best seasons in MLS history, the Atomic Ant will be looking to increase his numbers to astronomical levels over the next month.
POINTS:
41
RANK: 2
LAST MONTH: 2
Kei Kamara — CLB
30 Games Played | 22 Goals (1st) | 129 Shots (2nd)
His athleticism is something that is unmatched in MLS and it shows up every game for the Sierra Leone international. He has attempted by far the most aerials in MLS this season (229) and has won 56 percent of them.
POINTS:
24
RANK: 3
LAST MONTH: 4
Benny Feilhaber — SKC
28 Games Played | 14 Assists (T-2nd) | 62 chances created (7th)
Feilhaber hasn't been in his best form since the All-Star Game but his importance to Sporting has never wavered. All you have to do is look at his performance against FC Dallas a few weeks ago.
POINTS:
13
RANK: 4
LAST MONTH: -
Obafemi Martins — SEA
18 Games Played | 14 Goals (T-6th) | 38.9% conversion rate (2nd)
This one is pretty simple. When Martins plays, the Sounders are one of the best teams in the league. When Martins does not play, the Sounders are one of the worst teams in the league. His value is undeniable and is the reason why many think he should have come away with the MVP award last season.
POINTS:
10
RANK: 5
LAST MONTH: NR
ax McCarty — DC
27 GP | 16.37% usage rate (2nd) | 91 tackles (4th)
Dax is the centerpiece of Jesse Marsch's pressing system and on a team bereft of stars, he has been one of the players to stand out on this outstanding team.
Others receiving votes: Robbie Keane (7), David Ousted (3), Didier Drogba (2), Sacha Kljestan (1)
