Who is MLS' top rookie after Week 15?
Each week during the 2012 season, MLSsoccer.com's editors will cast their votes for the frontrunners, contenders and dark horses for MLS Rookie of the Year. By way of a virtuoso rookie campaign, Sporting Kansas City's C.J. Sapong took home the award in 2011, leaving a new crop of rookies to fight for the top honor handed out to first-year pros in Major League Soccer.
It's going to take a massive effort to knock Ryan Meara from the top spot. Of course, that's what we at the Rookie Rankings were saying a few months ago when Nick DeLeon was the clear choice. Fortunes change, that much is clear, and it's no different after Week 15.
The big climber this week is Vancouver's Darren Mattocks, who jumped all the way to No. 2 based on recent form and the promise of more to come – that is, after he returns from a suspension earned against the Rapids this weekend. Hey, nobody said the Jamaican was perfect. Joining Mattocks are Chicago's Austin Berry, Montreal's Andrew Wenger and D.C. United's DeLeon, while the Sounders' Andy Rose makes his debut among the honorable mentions.
Who do you think deserves to be top of the heap? Make your voice heard by voting in the poll to the right!
Only MLS regular-season games reflected on schedule and statistics. All times are Eastern.
<strong>Rank</strong> |
<strong>Trending</strong> |
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<strong>Player</strong> |
<strong>Comment</strong> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>1</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Meara.jpg" style="width: 55px; height: 55px;"><strong>Ryan Meara</strong> |
<p>Meara came out on the wrong end of a 3-1 defeat to the Fire, but that's just the second time this season that he's allowed more than two goals. Either way, much of New York's struggles came down to shoddy defending rather than blunders by their rookie 'keeper.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week:</strong> Lost at Chicago, 3-1 (4 saves)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Vancouver (11 pm ET, TSN or <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>), Sunday vs. D.C. United (7 pm ET, NBCSN)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 1.5 GAA, 8-4-2 (14 GP, 14 GS)</li><li><strong>SAVE: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-06-17-chi-v-ny/highlights?videoID=189027" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Meara dives for Rolfe's blast</span></a>, SAVE: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-05-05-la-v-ny/highlights?videoID=184737" target="_blank">Meara robs Juninho</a>, SAVE: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-28-ny-v-ne/highlights?videoID=183704" target="_blank">Meara dives for Nguyen's curler</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 61 points, $5.2 million (15.1 percent owned)</li></ul> |
<strong>2</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"> |
<strong>NR</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Mattocks.jpg" style="width: 55px; height: 55px;"><strong>Darren Mattocks</strong> |
<p>Some will say Mattocks' jump from honorable mention to No. 2 is a bit much. Fair enough, but you can't deny you lean forward in anticipation when the Jamaican gets on the ball. Yes, his ejection against the Rapids was as foolish as they come. Still, the Vancouver starlet could very well run away with the rookie scoring title if given the chance.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Colorado, 1-0 (60 min, 3 shots, red card)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday vs. New York(11 pm ET, TSN or <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>), Saturday at LA (10:30 pm ET, TSN or <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 3 G (6 GP, 3 GS)</li><li><strong>GOAL: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/06/10/goal-mattocks-punishes-dynamo-defense" target="_blank">Mattocks punishes Houston</a>, GOAL: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/06/10/goal-mattocks-gives-caps-lead" target="_blank"><strong>Mattocks takes it first time</strong></a>, <strong>GOAL: </strong><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/05/27/goal-mattocks-burns-por" target="_blank"><strong>Mattocks' drive sneaks under bar</strong></a></li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 16 points, $5.8 million (2.9 percent owned)</li></ul> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/straight-line.png" width="40"> |
<strong>3</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/imagefield_thumbs/Berry.jpg" style="width: 55px; height: 55px;"><strong>Austin Berry</strong> |
<p>With Corey Gibbs lost indefinitely and Arne Friedrich struggling to stay on the field consistently, Berry has stepped in and done the job for Fire manager Frank Klopas. Against the Red Bulls, he partnered with Jalil Anibaba to stifle one of the league's top attacks. Of course, Thierry Henry wasn't along to make his task significantly more difficult.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated New York, 3-1 (90 min)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Saturday vs. Columbus (8:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 2 G (8 GP, 8 GS)</li><li><strong>GOAL: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-05-26-clb-v-chi/highlights?videoID=187181" target="_blank">Berry rises above the crowd</a>, GOAL: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-05-04-chv-v-chi/highlights?videoID=184563" target="_blank">Berry ties game with tidy finish</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 45 points, $4.7 million (6.3 percent owned)</li></ul> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" height="40" src="//league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/arrow-up-with-shadow_1.png" width="40"> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/Wenger." style="width: 55px; height: 55px;"><strong>Andrew Wenger</strong> |
<p>Wenger's only two starts this season came in Montreal's last two games. He scored in both and Montreal tallied six goals over the course of those 180 minutes. With Marco Di Vaio available soon, his chances could decline, but the Duke product has time this week to prove he belongs in the lineup.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Seattle, 4-1 (90 min, 1 G)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Wednesday at Chivas USA(10:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>), Saturday vs. Houston(7:30 pm, <strong><a href="http://live.mlssoccer.com/mlsmdl/?utm_source=MLSsoccer&utm_medium=Article&utm_campaign=MLS%2BLive" target="_blank">MLS LIVE</a></strong>)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 3 G (11 GP, 2 GS)</li><li><strong>GOAL: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/06/16/goal-wenger-makes-seattle-pay" target="_blank">Wenger makes Seattle pay</a>, </strong><strong>GOAL: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-05-26-col-v-mtl/highlights?videoID=187234" target="_blank">Wenger finds the corner</a>, GOAL: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-07-mtl-v-tor/highlights?videoID=181511" target="_blank">Wenger slips shot under the 'keeper</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 28 points, $5.3 million (11.8 percent owned)</li></ul> |
<strong>5</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/red-arrow-down2_0.png" style="width: 40px; height: 40px;"> |
<strong>4</strong> |
<img alt="" src="https://league-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/mp6/DeLeon.jpg" style="width: 55px; height: 55px;"><strong>Nick DeLeon</strong> |
<p>After dominating the early editions of the Rookie Ranking, DeLeon is hanging on by a thread as a result of injury and his peers' improved play. He's back in the mix for United manager Ben Olsen, though, and a few solid games could have the midfielder right back at the top.</p><ul><li><strong>Last Week: </strong>Defeated Philadelphia, 1-0 (61 min, 1 shot)</li><li><strong>This Week: </strong>Sunday at New York (7 pm ET, NBCSN)</li><li><strong>Season Statistics:</strong> 3 G, 3 A (11 GP, 10 GS)</li><li><strong>GOAL: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-04-22-dc-v-ny/highlights?videoID=183164" target="_blank">DeLeon's shot deflects past Meara</a>, GOAL: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/video/2012/03/30/goal-deleon-roofs-it" target="_blank">DeLeon roofs it</a></strong>, <strong>ASSIST: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-03-30-dc-v-dal/highlights?videoID=180734" target="_blank">DeLeon sets up Cruz</a></strong>, <strong>GOAL: <a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2012-03-18-la-v-dc/highlights?videoID=179502" target="_blank">DeLeon bends it in</a></strong></li><li><strong><a href="http://fantasy.mlssoccer.com/" target="_blank">MLS Fantasy Soccer Manager</a>:</strong> 58 points, $6.6 million (23.4 percent owned)</li></ul> |
Also receiving votes: Raymon Gaddis, Tony Cascio, Andy Rose, Matt Hedges, Kelyn Rowe
