Voting is open now on the team website: http://www.revolutionsoccer.net/2016-santander-team-mvp-voting Usually the choice is obvious, but this year I'm having a hard time deciding who to vote for.
My votes were: Rowe Caldwell Watson Knighton wasn't even on the list to select. He has been the second half MVP for me.
Yeah no field player has really been good enough to earn it this year. I wish Knighton was on the ballot.
Agudelo? Seriously? He has 3g, 3a since the Colorado game at the beginning of September. Prior to that, he went scoreless for 7 games. MVP caliber players don't go anonymous, even when the formation doesn't suit their game - they make an impact in spite of tactics. If it was a player of the month, sure, perhaps he gets the nod for September. But for the season? To me, the guy that gets the revs team MVP does 3 main things: a) shows versatility when called upon b) makes an impact and you notice when they're not in the lineup and c) is a good locker room presence / off field citizen Based on this critieria, I could make the case for 3 players: Koffie, Rowe and Watson gets an honorable mention. Koffie deserves it. He came to the revs from Vancouver with little fanfare or expectations, immediately stepped in to replace Kouassi and had an instant impact. Koffie wins many of the key midfield battles and seemed to thrive no matter the formation or who was playing around him. It was noticeable when he wasn't playing as Heaps had to come up with makeshift midfield partnerships that never quite fitm From what I can tell he is a good locker room citizen as well. Rowe is another strong candidate. As one of his biggest critics here, I can objectively say he's taken the biggest step forward in quality and consistency among the veterans and has shown his versatility. As the year wore on, Rowe's end product improved and his positive impact was felt - his absence away to Cbus comes to mind. Lastly, Watson gets an honorable mention because he has shown the ability to play along the backline as well as in the midfield. Even if he doesn't have the talent of an MVP, that type of versatility is rare and extremely valuable on a team like the revs.
Based on the way they all have played this year I say it is applicable because none of them really have earned my vote. This isn't the late 199o's. where this level of performance this year would be considered acceptable. I'm not voting for anyone.
Ok, since our Long Regional Nightmare is not yet quite over, my vote for Revs MVP is that viciously aggressive slashing striker: Freddy Krueger.
If you look at the stats, Lee and Rowe seem like the top candidates. Did you know that according to MLS fantasy stats, Rowe led the team in recoveries, tackles, big chances created, and getting fouled? That was all done in fewer minutes that Lee
I knew that and I'm a "Rowe hater". He had a better season than Lee overall - the numbers do the talking.
Agudelo has struggled with injuries this season. When he came back from injury, he played like he was possessed and sparked the run that almost got us in the playoffs.
With us about to find out who the revs MVP is, read this article recapping 20 years of revs MVPs. Nice still down memory lane remembering the exploits of Joe-Max, Twellman, Zenga etc.