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2013 Player of the Year: Javier Morales returns to form, leads RSL

The end of the regular season brings with it an opportunity to reflect on what we've seen over 34 games spanning March to October. RSL Soapbox contributors bring you our picks for the best players this season. Now, the most valuable player for Real Salt Lake over the regular season.

James Bosworth

Charles Barnard: Javier Morales. Javi came back from injury and showed that he could play just as well as ever before. The stats shows how valuable he was to RSL. When he played, RSL scored every 44.75 minutes. When he didn't, play the team only scored every 129.67 minutes.

Chad Loveland: Javier Morales. I would have to pick Javier Morales. 8 goals, 10 assists, 13-8-6 mark when he plays, 3 goal of the week winners. Besides all the numbers, everyone knows Javi makes RSL hum. I actually am in the minority to think there isn't a giant drop off when Gil plays Javi's spot. That being said without Javi there are several teams that can beat us, on a fairly regular basis. With Javi, and Javi the magician who can see the future and passes accordingly, there is not one team in this league that can beat us.

Matt Montgomery: Javier Morales. In a season in which no player has really stood out more than others, it's difficult to pick a player more valuable than another. Kyle Beckerman has been the rock holding down the midfield - and attacking more than ever - while Javier Morales has been back to his attacking self. Nick Rimando has been in fantastic form and is certainly in contention for goalkeeper of the year. My decision ends up as Javier Morales, as without him, we've been a shadow of ourselves. Truly there is no replacement for him, despite the improvement of other attacking midfielders at the club. And to think: At the beginning of the year, there was no word on whether he'd be returning. Imagine where we'd be without him.

Randal Serr: Javier Morales. Javier bounced back in 2013 and made the doubters eat their words. Eight goals and ten assists is a fantastic stat line that demands respect. Morales has repeatedly been a game-changer when he has entered the game and he is one of the leaders of the club.