ProSoccerTalk’s Award conversations: Most Valuable Player

Three soccer brains are clearly better than one. So Richard Farley, Noah Davis and I huddled virtually to sort out our ProSoccerTalk picks for Major League Soccer awards.

(MORE: Coach of the Year conversation and choice)

(MORE: Rookie of the Year conversation and choice)

(MORE: Defender of the Year conversation and choice)

(MORE: Goalkeeper of the Year conversation and choice)

Steve Davis: Best for last, eh, boys? But I sense a short conversation coming on. I mean, a guy scores 27 goals and matches the all-time MLS season scoring record … So if we can all quickly agree on Chris Wondolowski, I’ve got the last ep of Homeland on DVR that I’m dying to watch. I’m going to pour some Jose Cuervo Especial and do a shot every time Claire Danes cries. Man, no one does tears like she does!

Noah Davis: Don’t tell me anything! I’m on the fifth episode of season one. Hopefully this hurricane will give me a chance to catch up with the rest of the world. Or the power will go out, and I’ll sit in the dark for the next 48 hours. I may need some of that Jose Cuervo, Steve.

Oh, and yes, Mr. Smiley for MVP. Couldn’t happen to a nicer dude.

Steve Davis: He is a good fellow, isn’t he?

Richard Farley: Two spots on the ballot, Steve. Who ya’ got No. 2?

Steve Davis:  I’ve got Robbie Keane next. Not a lot of talk about the guy, but his movement off the ball near goal makes so much happen for Bruce and Becks and the boys. And his numbers [16 goals, 9 assists] are sure bumping into MVP territory.

By the way, according to Alexi Lalas and that famous MVP criteria of his, Kenny Cooper is No. 2. Kenny Cooper, yo! Noah, who is your Dos?

Noah Davis: Thierry Henry, the man who handed KC all those goals.

Steve Davis: Wait a minute … I guess I got too distracted by Claire Danes’ quivering lip; I don’t understand your (most certainly brilliant and over my head) Henry-KC reference.

Noah Davis: KC is secret code for Kenny Cooper.

Steve Davis: D’oh! Of course. I was thinking ‘Kansas City.’ And did we get a MVP Dos from Farley? Somebody wake that guy up. He does love a good nap.

Richard Farley: I’m nothing if not predictable.

I put Osvaldo Alonso number two on my ballot, a difficult decision over Thierry Henry. Let me just offer this defense to those who don’t get to watch a lot of Sounders games: People think of Alonso as just a destroyer, but he’s the person that manages Seattle’s game in transition, especially as the Sounders have gone away from using Fredy Montero as much as a number 10 and relied more on Mauro Rosales coming in from the right. Alonso’s the man who makes that connection, and until Christian Tiffert adjusted to MLS over the last month, Alonso was a one man show in the middle.

Also, ever wonder how Seattle – with a decent but average defensive back five – finished with the league’s second fewest goals allowed? Ozzie Alonso.

Steve Davis: Hmmm. I’ve got Dax McCarty over Alonso as holding mid on my Best XI.  I sure hope I don’t sit next to Richard at the next ProSoccerTalk pancake breakfast. Talk about tense!

So, we’re all good on Chris “Wonder Wondo” Wondolowski as our MVP?  I’ve got to get the engraving going.

Our choice: San Jose’s Chris Wondolowski