So with a press conference schedule for this afternoon Major League Soccer it was a bit of a surprise that MLS scooped themselves as late last night USA Today in their weekend edition actually announced the winner of the MVP award. It is as some suspected Dwayne De Rosario, who had a hell of a season with 16 goals and 12 assists (winning the MLS Golden Boot award as well) despite the fact that he played for 3 different teams and that his final team didn't make the playoffs.
Here is some info from the official MLS press release:
D.C. United Midfielder Dwayne De Rosario Named 2011 Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player
Career leader in Best XI selections racked up 16 goals, 12 assists in 2011
NEW YORK (Friday, Nov. 18, 2011) - Major League Soccer today announced D.C. United midfielder Dwayne De Rosario was voted the Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player for the 2011 season.
Today at approximately 1:30 p.m. PT, De Rosario will receive the award and be presented to media in the Los Angeles area covering MLS Cup at The Home Depot Center.
Previously a finalist for MLS MVP honors in 2005 and 2006, De Rosario wins the award for the first time in his career in 2011 after capturing the Budweiser Golden Boot as the leading scorer in MLS, with 16 goals and 12 assists. De Rosario was also named MLS Best XI this year for a League-record sixth time.
After starting the season with Toronto FC, De Rosario moved to the New York Red Bulls three games into the season. In late June, De Rosario was traded to D.C. United, where he hit his stride and amassed 13 goals and seven assists in 18 games.
after the jump see how un-close the voting was:
The award was voted on by players, club representatives, and media. The voting percentages by group for the top five candidates are below:
|
Players |
% of Club Vote |
% of Media Vote |
% of Player Vote |
Weighted Total |
|
Dwayne De Rosario (DC) |
20.43 |
25.91 |
26.38 |
72.72 |
|
Brad Davis (HOU) |
15.05 |
21.24 |
7.36 |
43.66 |
|
Brek Shea (DAL) |
9.68 |
9.33 |
8.59 |
27.59 |
|
Landon Donovan (LA) |
13.98 |
5.18 |
7.36 |
26.52 |
|
Mauro Rosales (SEA) |
3.23 |
9.33 |
6.75 |
19.30 |
I have to say that the player vote is perhaps the most impressive for me, but it is clear that he won all 3 votes, with only the media vote really being close.
Of course for me, there are two things I will remember about De Ro this year, first is the fact that in under 20 minutes he completely dismantled Real Salt Lake with 3 goals and 1 assist, and this:
(click the image to watch the De Ro swan dive)
Perhaps the biggest dive of the 2011 season, but of course MLS did nothing about it because he missed the PK attempt that he got as a result of this play.
All in all it is very hard to argue against this award, Dwayne had one hell of a year.
OFF MY SOAPBOX