AWARDS
Landon Donovan MVP Award
Andy’s pick: Lee Nyugen, New England Revolution
You could insert him into any lineup and instantly make that team a contender. He can score and distribute with great skill and is very knowledgeable off the ball. I think he’s earning more and more respect in the league now, meaning that defenders will pay extra attention to him and leave opportunities for the rest of his teammates. If that doesn’t say MVP, I don’t know what does.
Zach’s pick: Clint Dempsey, Seattle Sounders
Mark my words: Clint Dempsey will have the biggest year of his career this year. He’ll lead the Sounders to the MLS Cup final, and in doing so will establish himself as “The Man” in American soccer.
Golden Boot Award
Andy’s pick: Quincy Amarikwa, Chicago Fire
Only eight goals and five assists last year for the UC Davis product, but last year’s winner, Bradley Wright-Phillips, had only one goal in seven games the year before he burst onto the MLS scene. Chicago did a good job in the offseason of bolstering the midfield, including the addition of Shaun Maloney. If he can stay healthy, Amarikwa can certainly benefit.
Zach’s pick: Dom Dwyer, Sporting Kansas City
Dom Dwyer came in second last year with 22 goals scored, and I see no reason why he can’t continue that run of form this season. Bradley Wright-Philips won’t have the benefit of Thierry Henry this year, and I see him taking a step back because of that.
Goalkeeper of the Year
Andy’s pick: Stefan Frei, Seattle Sounders
I just know that this award will be won by someone nobody expected to win. Frei didn’t have spectacular stats last year (99 saves, 66% save pct.), but they were among the top ten in MLS. He has a good backline in front of him and can make some pretty acrobatic moves to stop shots. I think he would need a very special season to get it done, but with a team like Seattle, nothing is impossible.
Zach’s pick: Bobby Shuttleworth, New England Revolution
This is a pretty risky pick. On one hand if New England win the MLS Cup then I believe Shuttleworth will get some votes for this award, and deservedly so. However, if New England does not perform up to the standard everyone expects of them then I can see Shuttleworth not even getting mentioned. Nick Rimando still doesn’t get it this year however.
Coach of the Year
Andy’s pick: Adrian Heath, Orlando City SC
If there was a book on starting expansion franchises, an entire chapter on coaching should focus on Heath. He works well with the core group he brought up from USL PRO and with the amount of talent he obtained in the offseason, the team would make the playoffs just on its own. Heath seems like the guy who can quickly elevate them to the top of MLS.
Zach’s pick: Adrian Heath, Orlando City SC
Taking a USL PRO team and competing, and winning (by our predictions), in MLS will surely put Adrian Heath as a front-runner for this award. Adrian Heath will be a name every fan in MLS knows by the end of the year.
Newcomer of the Year
Andy’s pick: Kaka, Orlando City SC
I bet he could just toy with other players in this league if he really wanted. Although there is no way to tell if he can go back to being the talent he was in earlier years, he is still a high-profile guy. If he puts up a solid year with an up-and-coming franchise, it should be enough to win the award.
Zach’s pick: Michael Barrios, FC Dallas
Michael Barrios joins FC Dallas after a successful four-year career in Colombia. Barrios looks like a promising midfielder and can aid to an already scary attacking force.
PREDICTED STANDINGS
Eastern Conference
Andy’s picks:
New England Revolution
DC United
Orlando City SC
Columbus Crew
New York City FC
Toronto FC
Montreal Impact
New York Red Bulls
Philadelphia Union
Chicago Fire
Zach’s picks:
Columbus Crew
New England Revolution
Toronto FC
Orlando City SC
D.C. United
New York City FC
New York Red Bulls
Montreal Impact
Philadelphia Union
Chicago Fire
Western Conference
Andy’s picks:
Seattle Sounders
Sporting Kansas City
LA Galaxy
Vancouver Whitecaps
Real Salt Lake
FC Dallas
Houston Dynamo
Portland Timbers
Colorado Rapids
San Jose Earthquakes
Zach’s picks:
Seattle Sounders
Los Angeles Galaxy
Sporting Kansas City
FC Dallas
Real Salt Lake
Vancouver Whitecaps
Portland Timbers
Houston Dynamo
San Jose Earthquakes
Colorado Rapids
MLS CUP PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS
Eastern Conference
Andy’s picks:
Knockout stage: Orlando over Toronto, NYCFC over Columbus
Conference semifinals: New England over NYCFC, Orlando over DC United
Conference final: New England over Orlando
Zach’s picks:
Knockout stage: Toronto over NYCFC, Orlando over DC United
Conference semifinals: Columbus over Orlando, New England over Toronto
Conference final: New England over Columbus
Western Conference
Andy’s picks:
Knockout stage: Los Angeles over FC Dallas, Vancouver over RSL
Conference semifinals: Los Angeles over Sporting KC, Vancouver over Seattle
Conference final: Vancouver over Los Angeles
Zach’s picks:
Knockout stage: Sporting KC over Vancouver, FC Dallas over RSL
Conference semifinals: Seattle over FC Dallas, Los Angeles over Sporting KC
Conference final: Seattle over Los Angeles
MLS Cup
Andy’s pick: New England over Vancouver
Zach’s pick: New England over Seattle