Another month is in the books, and now we're halfway throught the 2015 season.
In that time, we have seen a 5-foot-4 player take the league by storm, and Sebastian Giovinco has taken the No. 1 spot in the MVP Ladder. Surprisingly, the player who follows him closely in second is a goalkeeper, D.C. United's Bill Hamid.
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.
March:Rivero's strong start earns him No. 1 spot after March
April: Oba, Dempsey come in at top two spots at the end of April
May:Dempsey takes top spot, followed closely by Giovinco
NOTE: This voting in no way reflects the voting for the 2015 Landon Donovan MVP Award.
<strong>Rank (Pts.)</strong> |
<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Club</strong> |
<strong>Analysis</strong> |
<strong>1 (37)</strong><strong style="font-size: 10px;">Last Month: 2</strong> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/sebastian-giovinco" style="font-size: 12.222222328186px;" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/06/Giovinco-1.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px;"></a> |
<img alt=" " src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/prp-toronto_150.png" style="font-size: 9px; height: 75px; width: 75px;"> |
<h2><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/sebastian-giovinco" target="_blank"><strong>Sebastian Giovinco</strong></a></h2><br><strong><em>15 GP, 8 G (T-3rd), 7 A (3rd)</em></strong><p>The Atomic Ant has been the most electric player in MLS to date, providing highlight-reel plays in every game in which he appears. Giovinco has led Toronto to the second highest points-per-game in the Eastern Conference and has started every game.</p> |
<strong>2 (33)</strong><strong style="font-size: 10px;">Last Month: 5</strong> |
<strong style="background-color: rgb(221, 221, 221);"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/bill-hamid" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/06/Bill-Hamid.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px;"></a></strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/dc_150.png" style="font-size: 9px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<h2><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/bill-hamid" target="_blank"><strong>Bill Hamid</strong></a></h2><br><strong><em>16 GP, 0.75 GAA (2nd), 6 shutouts (T-4th)</em></strong><p>D.C. United have a healthy 11-point lead in the Eastern Conference, and for those who say they are doing that without a star player, you would be wrong. As exciting as Giovinco is in the attack, Hamid brings that electricity to goalkeeping. He consistently makes saves you thought he had no chance at.</p> |
<strong>3 (20)</strong><strong style="font-size: 10px;">Last Month: 4</strong> |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/benny-feilhaber" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/05/Benny-Feilhaber.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px;"></a><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/benny-feilhaber" style="font-size: 12.222222328186px;" target="_blank"></a> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/sportingkc_logo.png" style="font-size: 9px; width: 75px; height: 83px;"> |
<h2><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/benny-feilhaber" target="_blank"><strong>Benny Feilhaber</strong></a></h2><br><b><i>16 GP, 9 A (2nd), 37 chances created (T-7th)</i></b><p>The 30-year-old has been maybe the most consistent player in MLS. His tenacity at both ends of the field has allowed Sporting to collect 1.69 points per game, second in the tough Western Conference.</p> |
<strong>4 (18)</strong><strong style="font-size: 10px;">Last Month: NR</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/06/Wondolowski%2C-Chris_0.png" style="width: 100px; height: 143px;"> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/SJEQ_Logo_200.png" style="font-size: 9px; width: 75px; height: 75px;"> |
<h2><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/chris-wondolowski" target="_blank"><strong>Chris Wondolowski</strong></a></h2><br><b><i>16 GP, 9 G (2nd), 50 shots (5th)</i></b><p>Before <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matias-perez-garcia" target="_blank">Matías Pérez García</a> got going, Wondolowski was carrying the Earthquakes into the playoff picture in the West. Now that MPG is playing well, <em>Bau Daigh</em> has been allowed to shine and is currently second in the league in goals despite playing in the midfield.</p> |
<strong>5 (14)</strong><strong style="font-size: 10px;">Last Month: 3</strong> |
<strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kei-kamara" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/image_nodes/2015/05/Kamara_Kei_23.jpg" style="width: 100px; height: 143px;"></a></strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kei-kamara" target="_blank"></a> |
<img alt=" " src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/CCSC-200x200.png" style="font-size: 9px; height: 75px; width: 75px;"> |
<h2><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/kei-kamara" target="_blank"><strong>Kei Kamara</strong></a></h2><br><b><i>16 GP, 12 G (1st), 30 SOG (T-2nd)</i></b><p>Kamara has shined bright in Columbus, leading the league in goals with 12. His power and finishing up front have helped Columbus be one of the top attacking teams in the league.</p> |
Others receiving votes: Clint Dempsey (13), David Ousted (5), Giles Barnes (2), Michael Bradley (1), Juninho (1), Obafemi Martins (1), Krisztian Nemeth (1)
Let us know what you think of our picks (and make your own) in the comments section below.
