Forward Ariel Graziani won the Quakes/Honda MVP, while also earning the 2002 Budweiser Scoring Champion award. Defender Wade Barrett was recognized for the first time as the Quakes/ADT Defender of the Year, and defender Jimmy Conrad was named the Quakes/2002 U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year. In two locally sponsored awards, Ronnie Ekelund won the California Customs Award and Barrett was the Geneva McAlavey Community Outreach award winner.
Obviously, you have been wearing your "Ariel Blinders". Unlike last year, our forwards have had little support. Without Ariel fighting and creating chances on his own, we would have been dog meat this year. It was a toss-up between Ronnie and Ariel. They choose Ariel. Congratulations Ariel!!
I can't help but think that Joe Cannon might have deserved some award more than Graziani. but that's just me.
Nope. It's just that I'd never...in a million years...pick a whiner as MVP. It's bad enough he whines to the refs constantly, but the whining at teammates is inexcusable. He doesn't hustle after every ball, especially if the ball isn't right to him. I agree that he does fight off opposition once in a while, but it sounds like you have your "Ariel blinders" on, because you've obviously missed his attitude. I think Wade was team MVP, and I agree with Ringo that Joe isn't getting enough credit, considering his stats compared against other MLS keepers (led MLS in wins and shutouts, second in GAA but way more minutes than Hartman). And, of course, there's Ekelund, who obviously paid severely for not slotting that PK against LA on Saturday.
Graziani faded in the stretch--I'll give him credit for his stretch run in May/June when Kid Donovan was with the US team. Right now, the more I think of it the MVP should have gone to Lionheart (Mulrooney). Every game he's played in he's made the difference in the Quakes win, and in the games he's been out due to red card suspension at one point and injuries the last game of the season I can't help more on how he's made a difference, and it doesn't show on the stat sheets. It's a given that the goal scorers, playmakers, and goalies will always get consideration for the MVP. However, in this case it should be given to the person who's held the team together and has made a difference in setting up teammates up front and holding the defense in the back. Thus, it's Mulrooney who should have been MVP.
I can't see giving the MVP to a guy who's not part of the returning core of the team. This team won a title without Graziani and it's playing style hasn't changed. There must be some politics going on here. I would pick Ekelund, Barrett or Mulrooney.