It is honestly almost that time of year again....MVP voting time. While the actual voting for Inferno awarded Burn MVP won't take place until October, it is close enough to chat about who you think should be the MVP. Should it be EJ ? He had a breakout year, is at the top of the goal-scoring chart for the league, got a call-up by il Bruce. Maybe Simo? He directed the defensive end of the midfield with assurance, commanded respect for his position in a way no one has since Leonel, he scored a goal, he was one of the very first into the fray when Dema threatened Ronnie, and he adds cohesiveness to the team. Ronnie O'Brien? Can any one watch ROB play and not have a smile on their face? He takes such obvious joy in the game, his passing often pinpoint, a team player who can insipre thoose around him, a difference maker for this team. Cory Gibbs? Natl team player, fantastic mentor to EJ, has shut down more than one offensive engine on the opponent's team this year. Steve Jolley? A great vocal organizer in the back, took more than a few hits for the team, inspires confidence in this fan when I know he's in the line-up. Jeff Cassar? Oooo Aaaaaah Jeff Cassar - the man in the nets, makes most of the saves you expect him to and a lot of the saves that most would miss, he has been steady, has kept the team in games, heck - he's even made Harksie excited about a goalkeeper, as well (TM). What do you think?
I think this is one of the toughest years to vote for MVP. Everyone you mentioned Chaz deserves consideration. My vote would go to ROB, just because of the combination of skill, excitement and joy he brings to the game. I think he's the Burn's most creative player, and if he ends up leading the league in assists, he would be the first Burn player to do so. But EJ, Simo, Cassar and Cory would all be worthy recipients. Defender of the year will be just as hard to pick - Cassar, Simo, Gibbs and Jolley all have a case.
It is a tough call. On a quick decision, I'd have to say EJ for the reasons you mentioned, or Cassar for coming off the bench after Garlick went out injured, and not giving the job back. He's really played with alot of heart.
I don't think Jolley is a candidate, don't get me wrong he's good to have on the team, just a little scatter-brained to have at MVP status. My vote goes for ROB...
its gotta be simo. he hasnt had a bad game this year and has been everything and more than expected. he is the leader of the team. without simo, we are worse than last year's team.
ok mvp=most valuable player and that definately is EJ with a close second being ROB....without EJ we would have absolutely no finishing punch
The proverbial question... what does MVP mean? Does it mean best player or that player that was of most value to the club? The best player designation belongs to no other than EJ. So Chuck to answer your query, Jeff Cassar has been of most value to this club. His skills are not spectacular but good enough to have kept the BURN in matches that otherwise would have faced a different demise...
Very difficult year. Since goals are so hard for this team to come by, I have to go with Eddie. This could change as there are still games left and another player could push by at the wire. If Ronnie would put a few in he would already be there as he does everything else. Where would this team be if his finishing had come back sooner from injury?
Ohhh Ahhh Jeff Cassar! This team could have crashed & BURNed (rim shot please) when their # 1 keeper went down. Instead Cassar came in and didnt miss a beat. He has had his moments but he has also stolen points.
My gut tells me Ronnie O - How can you come back from a possible career ending injury and become a true leader on the team and not be MVP??? I have so much respect for him. He is so exciting to watch and a nice guy to boot. My 2nd choice would be Jeff - he has been so solid back there (except the DC game when he tried to play midfield) and again a great guy and a good friend of the justscore family PS - I really like Simo too
Whoever steps up now in crunch-time. Two weeks ago I would have said Ronnie O'Brien. Right now EJ. If EJ steps up this week again. I lean toward EJ. If Jeff continues and Joe Cannon lets in 6 again. Jeff could have a shot at GK of the year.
I have no friggin idea right now. Except that Jolley probably shou;dn't come into consideration. Without Jeff we clearly wouldn't have been in many games. Without ROB Eddie might never have gotten going. How many of his first 6 or 7 goals came directly from Ronnie? Without EJ we score LESS goals than last year. Simo & Cory have both been massive in keeping us in the hunt when noone could score. I'd give Simo the edge between those two just because Cory wasn't available for a bunch of games. Very tough call.
Since our biggest improvement from last year comes on the defensive side, I think our MVP should be a defender. And since Simo is consistently solid, mixed in with some spectacular defensive efforts, he'd be my choice ahead of Gibbs who had some howlers.
I will admit that I have a man crush on The Tackling FINN but in my opinion he should not be in this discussion. Please recall the number of minutes that he missed due to bookings. I understand that his agressive nature is what makes him an exceptional player yet is this aggressivenes is that placed the BURN in peril more than once. Had he not had the loss of minutes... then hands down he ought to be the MVP.
My vote goes to EJ. The defense got a lot of help this year. Garlick, Cory, Jolley, Reyes, Simo But, the offense did not and EJ still is having a very good year.
I say Ronnie O'Brien, but Corey Gibbs and Eddie Johnson aren't far off. I think there's a good chance I'll have a different opinion after the final games.