He was expected to be one of the best players in MLS after coming over from Juventus, and so far, Sebastian Giovinco has lived up to that billing.
The Italian had an outstanding month of May, leading Toronto FC to three wins while scoring two goals and assisting on three more. But it wasn't enough to take over the No. 1 spot in the MVP rankings from Clint Dempsey, who moves to No. 1 after finishing second to his teammate last month.
Here's how the rankings are determined: 10 of MLSsoccer.com's editors were polled for their top five MVP candidates, as of this month. Their votes were aggregated, resulting in the list below.
Five points were given to a player who received a first-place vote, four to a second-place vote, three to a third-place vote, two for a fourth-place vote and one point was given if a player received a fifth-place vote.
This is an unofficial list. It does NOT reflect actual MVP voting.
POINTS:
35
RANK: 1
LAST MONTH: 2
Clint Dempsey — SEA
11 Games Played | 7 Goals (3rd) | 6 Assists (T-3rd)
The USMNT captain has led the Sounders attack all season, as they are again at the top of the Supporters' Shield standings. Even though his partner in crime, Obafemi Martins, hasn't scored in a month, Dempsey has provided two goals and four assists in his last five games.
POINTS:
24
RANK: 2
LAST MONTH: 6
Sebastian Giovinco — TOR
11 Games Played | 5 Goals (T-9th) | 6 Assists (T-3rd)
The Atomic Ant has lit up MLS over the last month-plus, and his show-stopping skills have been on full display in that time. TFC have the third most points-per-game in the East, despite playing only three home games, and much of that is due to Giovinco's play.
POINTS:
26
RANK: 3
LAST MONTH: 5
Kei Kamara — CLB
12 Games Played | 10 Goals (1st) | 24 Shots on goal (1st)
All he does is score goals. Crew SC have the fourth-most goals in MLS this season, and Kamara has 10 of those, while no other player on the team has put more than three goals in the back of the net.
POINTS:
24
RANK: 4
LAST MONTH: 4
Benny Feilhaber — SKC
13 Games Played | 7 Assists (T-1st) | 33 chances created (4th)
Feilhaber started the season strong and has not slowed down since. Arguably the best midfielder in MLS this season, the 30-year-old's two-way play has been a sight to behold every week.
POINTS:
16
RANK: 5
LAST MONTH: NR
Bill Hamid — DC
12 GP | 0.83 GAA (4th) | 48 saves (2nd)
After winning Goalkeeper of the Year in 2014, Hamid has only raised his level of play so far in 2015. He has almost single-handedly kept United in games this season with his stellar play.
Others receiving votes: Obafemi Martins (10), Krisztian Németh (2), Giles Barnes (1), Fabián Castillo (1), Chris Rolfe (1)
