MLS Cup Eve

Ladies, gentlemen, we have now entered the last 24 hours of the 2011 MLS Season. It’s been a good one, perhaps one of the best, and, as we prepare for the final in LA, I’m sure we all have our bets on which team will take the cup. But first, let’s catch up on the results of MLS’s annual awards. These are the official winners, as voted on by a super shady committee of MLS administrators:

Rookie of the Year: C.J. Sapong

Defender of the Year: Omar Gonzalez

Coach of the Year:Bruce Arena

Comeback Player of the Year: David Beckham

Keeper of the Year: Kasey Keller

Newcomer of the Year: Mauro Rosales

Most Valuable Player: Dwayne De Rosario

None of these are particularly bad choices. Keller, Arena, and Gonzalez were the each the clear choices for their respective awards, and, though some say Charlie Davies should have gotten Comeback Player over Beckham, I think the award went to the more deserving player. Sure, Charlie made an unbelievable recovery, and isn’t getting nearly enough playing time, but Beckham outperformed him. As for MVP, DeRo is obvious. Some players have an entire team put on their shoulders, but DeRo had two in 2011, with both Toronto and DC completely dependent on him.

The final should be a good one, though it will ultimately go to LA. Let’s be honest. I think the real question to be asked isn’t who’s going to win, but what winning is going to bring to LA. Will Beckham stay? How will finally winning the Cup affect his legacy, or the world’s perception of the league? How will it change the dynamic between Landon Donovan and Beckham, who, historically, have had their issues?

Assuming LA wins, I think Beckham would be much more likely to stay in LA, and that he will have finally found some favor among MLS fans as a whole. We hated him because we felt that he’d walked into our league and expected the same universal admiration from MLS fans that the media had been giving him. But now he’s earned favor through perseverance in the face of many considering him a failure, and with strong efforts on the field.

The rosters are available here, and you should know that the forecast calls for rain.

That’s all I’ve got now. Expect a very good MLS final, and a wrap up right here on the MLS Offside.

Category: MLS