MLS MVP

Earlier this week I wrote briefly about the MLS MVP race and my two picks so far Brek Shea and Jack Jewsbury. Well, it seems some people are agreeing with me as an article on Goal.com posted after I wrote my piece is listing both men as the fourth and fifth candidates for the award.

But it is the person on top of many people's list that I do not agree with, and that is Landon Donovan. Donovan is having another good season by his standards. He is tied with Thierry Henry for the league lead in goals with eight in 11-games and he also has one assist. LA Galaxy as a team has scored 28 goals over the course of the year. By my calculations, which are rarely right, he has score around a third of LA's goals. The Galaxy, however, have proved time and again this season they haven't missed Donovan when he has been out of the line-up; whether due to the Gold Cup or injury. Compared to Portland's Jewsbury who has scored or assisted on half of Portland's goals I think Donovan isn't quite as valuable. Take into account Donovan has excellent players around him in David Beckham, Juan Pablo Angel, Juninho and a fantastic defense. The Galaxy would be sitting a top or near the top even without Donovan. On the other hand we would not see Portland pushing for a playoff spot in their first MLS year without their captain and true leader on the pitch. Jewsbury's experience and leadership has been the calm in the storm for this club, and he has popped up when it has truly counted. The MVP shouldn't go to the player from the best team who has had a better season than his teammates. Rather it should been given to the player who is the most valuable person to his team, and I do not feel that it is Donovan.

There is also talk of Thierry Henry winning this award which seems utterly ridiculous as well. Henry is tied with Donovan for league lead in goals. The Red Bulls, however, have continued to spit and sputter this season and are unable to find any consistent form. Luke Rodgers has five goals on the season and could be considered just as valuable when he has been in the line-up for the club. Brek Shea's breakout season since David Ferriera was injuried has dwarfed Henry's in my opinion. His play, also since moving from the failed experiment as a defender, has been the catalyst to FC Dallas moving from the foot of the West Conference to the top. He has turned me into a believer this season after looking overrated for the past two season. Now the focal point of the attack Shea is shining bright in Dallas.

Unfortunately, the MLS believes stars sell tickets and not good entertaining football. I don't expect Jewsbury or Shea to win this award regardless of what they help their respective teams accomplish this season. MLS can continue to brag on the stars of the league and the importance of the DP if either Donovan or Henry wins the trophy. This also helps MLS's desire for a LA/New York rivalry, which is an entirely different story.

Quick football thoughts...

- MLS is heating up this season and I've selected my early season MVP favorites. Now, I already know neither of these two will win as I'm sure every MLS writer hacks will select Landon Donovan or the next obvious person. I've noticed over the years the voters tend to not dig to far to find the league's MVP. But my two picks thus far as FC Dallas' Brek Shea who has had a breakout season following his failed move to central defender and the injury to David Ferriera, and Portland's Jack Jewsbury.

Shea has six goals and one assist in 15 matches, and (maybe) half of those matches he was in defense. Since moving back to the wide position for FCD he has really broken out and been a vital part to the resurgence of FCD. Helping them climb to second in the west after a terrible start. I still this he would be an excellent target striker.

My second MLS MVP pick is Portland's Jack Jewsbury. Through 14-matches Jewsbury has scored four goals and assisted on four more. He has had his hand in eight of the teams 16-goals. Not a bad stat and he is an important reason the Timbers are fighting for a playoff spot. I still feel he was the wrong player for Sporting KC to trade, but a brilliant job of scouting by the Timbers.

Neither of these men will win the MVP, though Shea has a better shot than Jewsbury since he is on the cusp of the national team. These two are definately the most important players to their teams, and are the reason their teams are contending. Without them neither of these teams are the same.

- In non-MLS news, finally, it seems Udinese's Alexis Sanchez will sign for Barcelona for around $50 million. A fantastic young player, but I'm confused to where and how he will fit into the team. He plays a similar role to that of Lionel Messi, and I can see this being a similar move to what Barca did with Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2009-2010. Barca has been looking for cover for their stars and Sanchez could be just that; but he seems like an expensive cover player. Barca already has Javier Mascherano, Ibrahim Affalley and Bojan who cannot get regular football. Is this an embarassment of riches or a team that is spending too much money on squad players?

- I've read a lot of reports about the USA doing well and having a fighting spirit, etc and so forth during the current Gold Cup. But excuse me, but this is the USA the second best (or first) team in CONCACAF. I expect this team to roll over anyone and everyone that is not Mexico in this group. I'm not sure why we're giving Bob Bradley and this squad a pass as they should be expected to be in the final against Mexico regardless of the team that is put in front of them. I'm in favor of replacing Bradley as well. Not because I dislike him,  but I don't feel one coach should get two World Cup cycles. It keeps the players fresh and brings in new ideas. I'm in favor of one Dominic Kinnear actually, but that's just me.

Jack Jewsbury

I just wanted to say what a breath of fresh air it has been to see Jack Jewsbury reborn in MLS courtesy of the Portland Timbers. Jewsbury was player that looked like he would be finishing his career as a bit part player, but the Timbers scouted him brilliantly and have gotten the best we've seen from Jewsbury in some time.