Just in case you were wondering... 2003 Damani Ralph, Chicago Fire 2002 Kyle Martino, Columbus Crew 2001 Rodrigo Faria, MetroStars 2000 Carlos Bocanegra, Chicago Fire 1999 Jay Heaps, Miami 1998 Ben Olsen, DC United 1997 Mike Duhaney, Tampa Bay Mutiny 1996 Steve Ralston, Tampa Bay Mutiny
It's a 4 horse race right now. If the season ended today, I'd guess Dempsey would be the best rookie, slightly ahead of Jeff Parke, with Josh Gros and Troy Perkins rounding out the top 4. Of course, this time last season, Rico Clark looked to be running away with it. Damani Ralph and Pat Noonan had a strong 2nd half of the season while Clark tapered off. Dempsey could taper off as well, and, especially if Convey leaves, Gros could make a late push. Parke has been consistantly steady on defense all year long. Finally, you can't discount Perkins. He's got the same type of "rags to riches" story as Parke that always looks good in RoY balloting. Goalkeepers also get the chance to really shine individually. If Perkins goes on a tear, you have to consider him.
As a DC fan, I would gladly trade Gros *and* Perkins for Dempsey. Dempsey is great and improving. If he doesn't break his leg, he'll win, and if he keeps playing like this, he'll be the greatest rookie in MLS history.
At this point, if you're not voting Dempsey, you're just not watching. This could all change,of course. I have also been very impressed with Ned Grabavoy, but he isn't getting nearly enough minutes to be considered a strong contender.
No1s mentioned Chad Marshall!!!!!! I still think Clint Dempsey is ROY, but Marshall sparked Cloumbus's turnaround.
Clint Dempsey. Excellent player and he possess a wealth of talent. He's impresive every week hes on the pitch. im suprised Bruce Arena still hasnt caped him.
Marshall has been good, but the guy in my avatar sparked Columbus' turnaround. As to Dempsey, yes, he's been playing well and as I said, if the season ended today, he'd be the RoY, but keep in mind, people were saying the same thing about Clark halfway through the year, and he just couldn't keep up the high level for a whole season. People were clamoring for Noonan to be capped last season, and now there are some Revs fans arguing in favor of dumping Noonan. You don't cap a player for the National Team just because they had two months of good play. Let him show this level for a season or two and THEN bring him in for a look. I still don't think Perkins is getting enough credit. He keeps DC in some games they shouldn't be in, and now that he's quit his part time job at the sporting goods store, he should only get better.
I can't imagine anyone other than Dempsey winning this award. He is far and away the best Rookie I've seen this year, and may be having the best year of any rookie ever... and that includes Donovan's first year in MLS. Marshall, Parke, Gros, and Perkins are all having very good years. Gros in particular in my book has been very good, but when I watch Dempsey, I see another level. Too bad the rest of the Revolution are lousy this year, wonder what he could do with a supporting cast (can't believe I'm saying that about a rookie).
Great analysis. To me, Dempsey should be a lock short of some sort of self-destruction. But I just don't see that happening. Dempsey is one of the most technically solid players in the league, let alone the rookie class. As I've watched him play I can't help but get the same feeling I did watching Damani Ralph last year.
Just to continue playing the devil's advocate on Dempsey (re: don't flame me, I think he's a good player and I have nothing against him) is there a chance that his stellar fan reputation is a result of the fat friend syndrome? Mid-level women (not hot, not ugly) often bring along a friend to bars. These friends tend to squeeze about 40 pounds worth of legs into a 20 pound capacity pant. The effect is that it makes the mid-level woman look like a supermodel. Any chance that something similar is happening with the Revs? (Dempsey looks so good because the other Revs look really bad?)
1. Dempsey 2. Perkins 3. Marshall 4. Gros 5. Parke 6. Grabavoy ....at present Nah, he makes his opponents look just as bad.
At this point only 4 players have a shot: Dempsey - As long as he doesn't do a double gainer into the suck pool, he'll win. Marshall - Playing great, but 1) he's a defender in a 2) small market. To have any chance, Columbus needs to push for the Supporters Shield. Remember small market Garcia lost to big market Bocanegra in 2000. Perkins - Great story with the "working part time at Galyans to working full time for DC United". Parke - Plays in front of the New York City media. Has an awesome hook as "last player drafted" Others: Gros just isn't playing enough and can't break through the media focus on Freddy. Though Convey's departure may help him get back into the race. Grabavoy seems to be drifting at this point. I don't see him standing out the rest of the way for LA.
1. Dempsey (Gulf of Mexico) 3. Marshall 4. Parke 5. Gros 6. Perkins I don't think that you can put Parke ahead of Marshall. Parke wins the results over expectations award (close one with Perkins) but Marshall is the better defender and is quietly having a huge year. I'm looking forward to Gros getting more minutes in the second half of the season. He could be very, very good.
At this time last year Ralph had all but won the award. I don't remember Clark ever getting that much consideration, unless it was in the first quarter of the season.
About this time last year it looked like this: 1. Clark 2. Ralph By the end of August it was reversed. Then just before the playoffs started it was: 1. Ralph 2. Noonan ...it was a pretty tight race to the finsh. With Ralph winning by less than a length.
No ... because if that were the case ... the Rapids would have more than two candidates since 1996 (Paule, Borchers)
A couple of questions here please help me out, to be considered for the rookie of the year award does this have to be your first year of pro soccer period ie never gotten paid to play before, your first year in MLS, or your first year of pro soccer in America? I"m assuming it has to be your first years ever to get paid b/c Donovan didn't win. Out of the top three guys last year; Ralph, Clark, and Noonan. It seems Ralph and Noonan are still going strong and have gotten better but I havnt heard much about Clark. Has he not been as good as last year or was he just over hyped before? Or is it possible he's just at the same level as lsat year but since it's his second hear noone cares that much anymore?
Right now Ralph is the most successful of the three. Noonan is having a quiet season and Revs fans aren't too happy about that. Clark has played well for the Metros, and has been named to the AAXI several times this year. He, like Chris Armas, has a thankless job that usually draws less attention that goalscorers like Ralph and Noonan.
I swear to God if Freddy becomes the rookie of the year, I'll stop watching the MLS. Ok, maybe I'll keep watching, but I'll be really upset. Or at least mildly ticked off.