Commentary

MLSsoccer.com editors predict the 2013 MLS MVP

Thierry Henry, Tim Cahill and Dax McCarty

The 2013 MLS season kicks off this weekend. Here at MLSsoccer.com, we're getting ready the only way we know how: making predictions and arguing. On Monday, we predicted the Golden Boot winner. On Tuesday, we did Goalkeeper of the Year. On Wednesday, we got into it about who will win the Supporters' Shield. Today, it's MVP.

<strong>Prediction</strong>
<strong>Comments</strong>
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/90x90/Borg.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p class="rtecenter">Simon Borg<br><em>Senior Editor</em></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/robbie-keane">Robbie Keane</a> (LA)</p>
<p>He may not have even been an MVP finalist in 2012, but it was the year everyone finally appreciated Keane. With <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/17/galaxy-announce-donovan-will-rejoin-club-late-march">Landon Donovan&#39;s extended absence</a> and David Beckham&#39;s departure, it will become even more evident that he&#39;s the defending champs&#39; most important player.</p>
<em><strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/90x90/Doyle.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong></em><p class="rtecenter">Matt Doyle<br><em>Armchair Analyst</em></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/robbie-keane">Robbie Keane</a>&nbsp;(LA)</p>
<p>I sort of suspect Keane to put up some kind of ridiculous, 19-goal, 13-assist type of season. It just feels like it&rsquo;s going to be that kind of career.</p>
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/90x90/Firchau.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p class="rtecenter">Nick Firchau<br><em>Senior Editor</em></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/robbie-keane">Robbie Keane</a>&nbsp;(LA)</p>
<p>The MVP race is always dominated by offensive players (for better or worse), but not much argument this time around.</p>
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/90x90/freedman.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><br><p>Jonah Freedman<br><em>Managing Editor</em></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/thierry-henry">Thierry Henry</a> (NY)</p>
<p>For better or worse, the Red Bull have become 100 percent Titi&#39;s team this season. This is his year of domination.</p>
<strong><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/90x90/GregLalas.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"></strong><p class="rtecenter">Greg Lalas<br><em>Editor-In-Chief</em></p>
<span style="text-align: center;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/mauro-rosales">Mauro Rosales</a> (SEA)</span>
This is set to be an impressive year for the Sounders, perhaps even a trophy-filled one. And Rosales will be pulling all the strings, setting the table for Eddie Johnson, Steve Zakuani, and <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/25/sounders-representatives-head-spain-pursuit-new-dp">possibly a certain Nigerian goalscorer</a>. &nbsp;
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/90x90/Rosano.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p class="rtecenter">Nicholas Rosano<br><em>Editor</em></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/thierry-henry">Thierry Henry</a>&nbsp;(NY)</p>
<p>The French star has a talented team around him and one that could help shoulder the goalscoring burden. Still, he should be able to post double-digit goals and assists this year, putting him as a prime MVP candidate.</p>
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/90x90/JasonSaghini.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p class="rtecenter">Jason Saghini<br><em>Director of Video</em></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/landon-donovan">Landon Donovan</a> (LA)</p>
He will be fresh, rejuvenated and MLS teams will pay for it as he puts up 10 and 15.
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/90x90/valencia.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p class="rtecenter">Kristel Valencia<br><em>Editor</em>, <em>FutbolMLS.com</em></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/federico-higuain">Federico Higua&iacute;n</a> (CLB)</p>
<p>A difference-maker at all levels: skills, creativity, movement and, most importantly, persona. He has professed his love for Columbus. He believes in this team, and the team will challenge for the East.</p>
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagecache/90x90/AndrewWiebe.jpg" style="width: 50px; height: 50px;"><p class="rtecenter">Andrew Wiebe<br><em>Editor</em></p>
<p class="rtecenter"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/thierry-henry">Thierry Henry</a>&nbsp;(NY)</p>
<p>If I&#39;m picking <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/02/25/pick-em-mlssoccercom-editors-predict-who-will-win-2013-mls-golden-boot">Henry to win the Golden Boot</a>, there&#39;s no way MVP voters ignore that accomplishment when ballots are due. The key will be how New York finish the season: If it&#39;s on a high note, the award is Thierry&#39;s to lose. If not, there will be a host of other challengers.</p>

Who do you think will be named the 2013 MLS MVP? Tell us in the comments below.