Well deserved. Not only does Carlos score at will, but he is one of the league's most skilled players as well. Guy does it all.
I agree with this choice 100%. TT had a fabulous year, but not everyone can win the MVP award, and Ruiz just had that much more of a fabulous year.
One of my students insisted, a little bitterly, that Ruiz deserved it, but wouldn't win because he was a Guatemalan (small country) going up against the U.S. golden boy, Twellman. I hope he's thrilled today. I know I'm glad. Ruiz was just amazing in so many games. He just kept upping the ante every time the team needed it.
To me, Ruiz was such the obvious choice it wasn't even funny. Good to see that the monkeys that vote for the league awards got one right. Twellman had a good year, no doubt, but he's not the reason why the Revs got into the playoffs and are in the final on Sunday. The improved defensive play gets credit for that. Meanwhile, Ruiz was hands-down the reason for the Galaxy's Supporters' Shield and for their place in the final. He scored so many big goals that turned losses and ties into Galaxy wins.
Spot on. Can't agree more than with this Dallas moderator...hit it right in the G-spot!?!?!? (for Guatemalan) Now I'm wondering why the league is letting LA wear those hideous teal uniforms for the final rather than the whites (me thinks the Revs blue kits are much nicer than their tighty whities!?!?)
Definately the right choice. He's a very good player and definately the best addition to the league this year with Taylor a close second.
I'm almost tempted to say this is the first time Bigsoccer will be in total agreement. I don't like his diving and kicking keepers, but no one can argue that Ruiz was the best player in MLS this season. The difference between DC United and LA comes down to Carlos Ruiz, when you think about it. Both teams are strong defensively, good in midfield (LA has an edge, but DC is by no means bad). The difference is that DC's whole strike force was as potent as LA's strikers outside of Ruiz (Albright, Mullan, Alejandro Moreno...not exactly frightening). For one player to be the main difference between 10th and 1st, especially in soccer...that's remarkable.
I disagree. I do not think that Ruiz is/was the best player. Most valuable player... yeah, it's tough to argue with that. I will agree this was probably the right choice.
Considering that Ruiz was the only new addition to what has essentially been the same lineup for several years, I think it's much easier to see his impact on what was a solid but not necessarilly dominant team in the past. The argument for Taylor seems less clear. There were so many changes that it's hard to say that he was the critical element. Either way, I think you can make a pretty solid case for both players but I think Ruiz' contribution is easier to recognize.
Not to mention, Ruiz was the only Galaxy player scoring goals early on in the season, IIRC. Without his goals that resulted in wins and/or draws in those games, the honors you mention would not have been possible, on an equal footing with their middle-of-the-season and late-season wins as well. Certainly a deserved accolade, over the balance of the entire campaign. Cheers, William
Not to be picky, but adding tyrone marshall allowed us to switch to a 3 person back line, which also helped alot, but Ruiz has been the difference between this and past LA teams.