I would feel better about this pick if Chicago had made the play-offs, but no player was more important to their team than Magic Mike. He was the MVP of the league before he even left LA in my opinion, and just to prove a point, the Galaxy took a long time to recover from the loss of such a great player.
Runners-Up: Marco Di Vaio & Diego Valeri
Goalkeeper of the Year – Donovan Ricketts
With a makeshift back line in front of him all year long, Ricketts paved the way for Portland to claim 1st place in the West. He has revived his career (that I for one, thought was over when he transferred to Montreal) and was by far the best keeper in MLS
Runners-Up: Nick Rimando & Jaime Penedo (the winner had he played the whole season)
Rookie of the Year – Dillon Powers
Not as flashy as some other players, but when you come into a team and unseat a player like Martin Rivero it means a lot. This young man has a bright future for the MLS and the USMNT
Runners-Up: Deshorn Brown & DeAndre Yedlin
Comeback Player of the Year – Kevin Alston
Overcame more than any player I can remember to get back onto the field. Cancer is an incredible scary obstacle for most people but Alston kept his head up and returned to the field mere months after the announcement of his diagnosis
Runners-Up: Robbie Rogers & Connor Casey
Defender of the Year - Jose Goncalves
Anchored a very sturday New England backline and even churned out some good offense plays. Really the rock that held this very very young team in place and (along with Andrew Farrell) the only constant on this backline that is going back to the play-offs for the first time in what seems like forever
Runners-Up: Chris Klute & Matt Beslar
Coach of the Year – Mike Petke
No coach came in this year with bigger expectations and bigger critics. You don’t take a job in a major market city like New York and expect to be ok with just another “play-off season”. He made the right moves, took the right chances and ended the season with the Red Bulls first trophy and a pending appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League next year.
Runners-Up: Caleb Porter & Jay Heaps