Anybody else think Nellie should win it? I mentioned it on the post-game thread, but it's buried beneath a handful of analysis. He's been a rock in defense and only has two yellow cards. And he's our leading scorer with 4 goals. I can't think of another defender this year who has had as much of a positive impact in both halves of the field. Knowing the league, though, they'll probably give it to the Old Red Goat, who's actually having a pretty good year. Dave
Nelson has been a difference but not good enough to win a league award.....I know it's not our defense's fault but we're still last place in the league and there probably more deserving defenders out there who start on teams with better records.
I was just going to mention Lalas.. He may be getting up in age but he is having just as good a year as Nelsen, at least offensively anyway.. I think Ryan should be nominated as well but MLS tends to lean towards the popular players to attract interest in their stupid post season awards.. If Ryan keeps up his stellar play, he'll be nomintated soon enough.. Maybe even Reyes as well.. Only Donovan can match this guys speed...
Yeah, man. Lanky suggested Nellie to me last night and I asked him to let me think about it. I thought about it and came up with Lalas and maybe Garcia. I think Lalas gets it in a walk. lalagals play a very good team defense. Lalas benefits from Vagenas' energy and range (as Waldo mentioned last night on the tape delay), but I still think he gets the credit from the media. He's having a very good year. With the USA defenders away at WC, I think he's almost a lock. GM
Nelson is the defender of the year for DC. Did you see his cheeky behind the back flick he had before scoring his goal against SJ? That has some major props right there. It has to be that cabbage that he apparently adores in his Freekick bio.
Do goalkeepers count in this award? If so, I'd definately have to pick Rimando even though Ryan has been great.
According to the ballots we received at the match Saturday, yes, goalkeepers can be considered for the team's Defender of the Year award, however according to the league's media guide, this is not the case for the MLS award. Ed