The MLS MVP Race

The 2011 season of Major League Soccer is just weeks away from concluding, and much like the Supporter's Shield, the race for league MVP is a close and highly contested one. The two primary candidates at this point are Mauro Rosales of the Sounders and Brek Shea of FC Dallas. There are certainly numerous other contenders, Landon Donovan and Brad Davis included, but the sheer impact and importance that both Shea and Rosales have held for their teams in the face of devastating losses of key players to injury is what really makes them shine. Way back in April in just the second minute of the Sounders' match against the Rapids at Dicks Sporting Goods Park Zakuani had his leg broken in two different places by a ill-timed and malicious tackle by Brian Mullen. Only a week later FC Dallas found themselves in the exact same situation, losing Ferreira to a broken ankle as a result of a reckless challenge by Vancouver's Jonathan Leathers. At the time it looked like the loss of such key players for the Sounders and FC Dallas would surely have a negative impact on each team's season. Thanks to Shea and Rosales, that wasn't to be.

Shea picked up the slack once Ferriera got sidelined, and much the same Rosales became the catalyst in the Sounders attack in the absence of Steve Zakuani. Prior to the Ferreira injury, Shea was primarily utilized as a defender, but once the injury happened Shea was placed in the midfield and encouraged to get forward and attack by Schellas Hyndman and that move has certainly paid dividends for FC Dallas. Shea is currently sitting on ten goals (double his output from last season), and three assists (just one below his total number from last season). Seeing his offensive capabilities, I doubt that Shea will see any more play time in the defense after this breakthrough season. Much in the same manner as Ferreira, leading up to his injury Zakuani was leading the Sounders along with O'Brian White (who is also currently out with a leg injury) with two goals and two assists. Alvaro Fernandez has filled in on the left wing providing a goal scoring threat in Zakuani's place (currently second in goals scored for the Sounders at 6), but the real story is Mauro Rosales. The amount of heart and effort that he provides out on the pitch seemingly makes the entire team look better. And with that heart and effort, he has proven to be the offensive spark that the Sounders sorely needed early on in the season. So far Rosales has totaled five goals and a whopping ten assists (which has him tied with De Rosario for third overall in the league).

Both players stepped up and provided an offensive spark when their clubs needed it most, which is exactly why they're the front runners for the MVP award. While I have my bias for the Sounders, this will definitely be an agonizing decision to make.