Welcome to another edition of "Discuss," in which MLSsoccer.com editors debate the topics of the moment in MLS.
Today's prompt – in light of Saturday's matchup between Montreal and Toronto (4 pm ET; TSN4 in Canada, MLS Live in USA) – revolves around the leading lights on those two teams. If you were to build a team for the 2016 MLS season and could pick either Didier Drogba or Sebastian Giovinco to build it around, which player would you choose? We got Editor-in-Chief Simon Borg, Senior Editors Andrew Wiebe and Ben Couch, Associate Editor Ben Baer and Contributor Sam Stejskal to weigh in.
(Note: We are assuming perfect physical health and availability for every game in this exercise – this is purely about on-field contributions.)
BORG: Giovinco
I’ll take the guy who can do it all – hit a free kick, deliver a killer pass or score himself in the run of play — including play multiple positions if needed. The “Atomic Ant” carried Toronto on his back last year to their first playoff appearance. Drogba may have outshone Giovinco in their Knockout Round showdown, but it’s only because Drogba had the better team … at the time.
WIEBE: Drogba
Giovinco is the MVP. He creates something out of nothing every time he steps on the field. But there’s just something about Didier Drogba, something no one else has that you can’t quite put your finger on. He inspires. He leads. He turns airports into massive parties. I want that magic, that swagger, that broad smile on my team.
COUCH: Drogba
Post-MVP, post-roster revamp, Giovinco is still adjusting to the adjustments. The more-experienced Drogba already knows how to make magic happen if the goals dry up. IF.
And they won’t. Do that Drogbacité.
BAER: Giovinco
While Drogba provides the power, pace and finishing ability that any team would be happy to have, the answer here has to be Giovinco. The Atomic Ant has shown the ability to tear up MLS defenses on a consistent basis and produced by far the best season of an individual player in MLS last season.
STEJSKAL: Giovinco
Didier Drogba scores goals. Sebastian Giovinco does more. Twenty-two goals and 16 helpers in 33 games? That's not just the MLS single-season record for most combined goals and assists, that's unreal. Drogba is silly, but Giovinco is stupid good. I'll take the Atomic Ant, every damn time.
Who would you choose? If you need help making your choice, you can follow the links to learn more about Drogba's infectious personality and Giovinco's newfound stardom in Toronto.
