Coming into the 2016 MLS season, all eyes were on Sebastian Giovinco as he had just dazzled all of the MLS the previous season, winning the Most Valuable Player award in what was just his first season in the league. As expected of the man they call the Atomic Ant, Seba would pick up right where he left on and finish the 2016 season with 17 goals and 15 assists; good for 3rd and 2nd most in the league, respectively. Not only did he finish in the top 3 for both goals and assists, but he did all of this while missing a significant amount of time, playing in only 28 out of a possible 34 games. After yet another spectacular season from the Italian, which includes leading his team to 3rd place in the Eastern Conference, should the MLS just hand him the MVP trophy now?  With the regular season complete and playoffs  commencing, I figured this would be the perfect time to take a look at who were the most productive players this past season and, more specifically, look at who could possibly be giving Gio a run for the Landon Donovan MVP trophy.

David Villa, NYCFC

Probably the best chance anyone has at snatching the MVP trophy away from Giovinco is the star of NYCFC, who recently helped his team to clinch 2nd place in the Eastern Conference, securing a first round bye heading into the playoffs. Statistically, the former Barcelona Striker had an amazing year scoring 23 goals, good for 2nd in the league behind only Bradley Wright-Phillips. It is not only his goal scoring, however, for which I believe he should win MVP. The way in which he has carried this team,  to put them in a position where they are now feared heading into the playoffs, just one year after finishing 8th in the league, shows how much he has carried this team. NYCFC has allowed the 2nd most goals in the league, but thanks to Villa’s offensive carry, they have also scored the most goals in the league. If this doesn’t show how Villa is simply carrying NYCFC to the Cup, then I don’t know what else will.

Bradley Wright-Phillips

What more can be said of this goal-scoring machine? A year after slightly under performing, in which he only scored 17 goals compared to his record tying 27 goals in 2014, BWP burst right back onto the scene in 2016 by winning the Golden Boot, scoring 24 goals and narrowly beating David Villa (23 goals) for the award. Not only did he beat David Villa, a striker for the rival NYCFC squad, but Wright-Phillips’ New York Red Bulls also bested their epic NY rivals by finishing one spot ahead of NYCFC in the Eastern Conference standings. So then why would I pick Villa over Bradley Wright-Phillips for the MVP, you may ask? Well, lets just say Villa doesn’t have a USMNT member, and the man with the most assists in the MLS starting behind him every game…. (shout-out to Sacha Kljestan).

Sacha Kljestan

Most arguably the best Midfielder in the MLS right now, Sacha Kljestan just finished the 2016 MLS season with 20 assists, good for the most assists in the league this season and 2nd most all time assists all time in a single season. His stats speak for themselves, but what he does best doesn’t necessarily have a statistical category. The work Kljestan does off the ball to find space and create opportunities for his teammates is something which is often overlooked. Without his constant movement, great vision, and precise passing, the New York Red Bulls may not have finished the season 1st place in the East, and BWP certainly may not have won the Golden Boot Award…

Wild Card/Future MVP: Nicolas Lodeiro

While his sample size may not be enough to earn him the notorious Landon Donovan MVP Award, it will most definitely get MLS fans excited to watch him play not only in the playoffs, but also through next season and beyond. After coming to the Seattle Sounders from Boca Juniors, Lodeiro was able to score 4 goals and assist on 8 others in just 12 league games. While these stats are not overwhelming as compared to others, the way in which he has transformed this team shows his true value. Before arriving in Seattle, the Sounders were 6-12-2 sitting well outside the playoffs. Since the Uruguayan has joined the team, however, Seattle has been on a tear, shooting all the way up to 4th in West, booking a spot in the playoffs. A large part of Seattle’s late season turnaround has been Lodeiro’s ability to set up others for scores as his chemistry with the rest of the team is only improving. One can only imagine how Lodeiro will fair in his second year in the MLS, and if this season is any indication, the 27 year old’s name may be very much higher up on MVP lists by next years end.