Lamenting MLS Comeback Player of the Year

When it comes to some of the MLS post-season awards, I treat them like the door-to-door magazine subscription salespeople who come a knockin’:  I pretty much ignore them and hope they go away.

I give you MLS Comeback Player of the Year.

I like a good story as much as the next blogger guy.

Further, I have known Eddie Johnson since he was a 16-year-old signee. Years later, I had a nice moment with the young man in London soon after he signed with Fulham, when I happened to be in town for his first reserve match on a ridiculously cold January night at the tiny grounds of Brentford FC.

He seemed genuinely pleased (and surprised!) to spot a familiar face, and we had a nice chat.

So, good on him for winning MLS Comeback Player of the Year.

But, remind me again what exactly he came back from?

His career was in the Dempster Dumpster just 10 months ago, and I get that. But if we’re talking genuine comebacks, is a self-created backwash of career drama really equal to rallying past a big injury? I’m not so sure.

For me, Chris Pontius was a much better choice. Then again, the lack of solid criteria here has always been an impediment to taking this award more seriously.

Good on Johnson. But forgive me if I reckon that about 200 words is more than adequate to cover this one.