The 33% Awards

The season is roughly 33% done, so I figured I'd go through and give out some awards from the first bit of the 2009 season. Remember, these are based on form to date, not overall historic ability. It's all for fun, so here we go...

33% MVP: Kasey Keller
Honourable Mention: Landon Donovan, Amado Guevara, Brian McBride

Is it any coincidence that both of Seattle's losses came in matches without Kasey Keller (well, he was sent off about 25 minutes into their first loss). Ahead of this season, there were question marks all over the Sounders' defense, but Keller has been a calming presence for them at the back.

33% Rookie of the Year: Stefan Frei
Honourable Mention: Steve Zakuani, Chris Pontius, Sam Cronin

I see Stefan Frei first-hand week in and week out, so yes, I do have a bit of a bias. He's been phenomenal for us though, and you won't hear anyone complaining about Greg Sutton riding the bench behind this guy.

33% Biggest Surprise: Zach Thornton (no pun intended...)
Honourable Mention: Josh Wolff, Osvaldo Alonso, Donovan Ricketts

What's with good goalkeeping this year? Thornton, has looked like the Zach Thornton of old for Chivas USA this year. Being on the league's top team helps a little, but Thornton still has the league's best goals against average, and has the most wins and clean sheets out of any goalkeeper in MLS.

33% Biggest Letdown: Sacha Kljestan
Honourable Mention: Juan Carlos Osorio, Dane Richards, San Jose Earthquakes

A year ago, it was all going right for Kljestan. He was becoming a regular with the US nats, he was a prime target for multiple European sides, and he was the heart of his Chivas USA team. Right now, the Goats are top of the league, and you'd think Kljestan would be right at the heart of all of that. Well, think again. Kljestan has just one assist in nine starts. Wow.

33% Coach of the Year: Gary Smith
Honourable Mention: Sigi Schmid, Preki, Kurt Onolfo

Look at the Rapids' team on paper. Compared to most MLS teams, it's pretty bad. At the same time though, Gary Smith has this team playing very well, and they aren't the pushovers this year that many expected them to be.

33% Defender of the Year: Jimmy Conrad
Honourable Mention: Bakary Soumare, Jhon Kennedy Hurtado, Adrian Serioux

I've always liked Jimmy Conrad. He's a true leader, and a commanding presence in the Wizards' backline. I don't know that any single defender in this league has the effect on his team that Conrad has on the Wizards.

33% Newcomer of the Year: Kasey Keller
Honourable Mention: Fredy Montero, Donovan Ricketts, Osvaldo Alonso

The guy I have as the current MVP is a newcomer, so he has to get this award too. Many of Seattle's players are MLS newcomers, and they have come together and are playing very well, so I'm sure when the season ends, a Sounder will get the Newcomer of the Year award.