Cunningham MVP

SpiffCoug · 08-22-2006, 08:39 AM

I was reading the Red Bulls preview on MLS and it mentioned that with Cunningham's play and the recent success of RSL that he should be mentioned as a candidate for MVP.

He's on pace to have a career year in goals and could reach in assists too. Is that really a possibility? Could RSL's Jeff Cunningham really be the MVP?

Donk · 08-22-2006, 08:56 AM

Only is RSL makes the playoffs and finishes well. If RSL isn't in the playoffs, it will go to Moreno

bordelais7 · 08-22-2006, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donk

Only is RSL makes the playoffs and finishes well. If RSL isn't in the playoffs, it will go to Moreno

or Gomez...

f4denz · 08-24-2006, 12:00 AM

Yeah, I can get beat up on another board for saying simply

"Cunny at this point without a doubt is the MVP in MLS"
1st in goals
2nd in assists
4 time league player of the week
RSL- who most wrote off before the season even began in a position to make a serious run in the last 1/3 of the season.
Cunny has been involved in over 2/3 of ReAL's goals this season

What more would a guy need to do to be a MVP, oh yeah some would say that we need at least a .500 record, or perhaps to make the playoffs would be enough. I say horse poo, Amado Guevara league MVP 2004 for the Metro's with a below .500 record.

Say it now, Say it loud
Cunny is the MVP

prk166 · 08-25-2006, 12:26 AM

I haven't heard people use the .500 standard before. I have heard them talk about the player needing to be in the playoffs. I think that's fair enough since the standards in the MLS for the playoffs are pretty low. If your team didn't at least make the playoffs, how valuable could the player really have been?

Guevara won because he plays the right position to do it and he plays the right style. For the most part, it's the providers that get the award, not pure goal scorers. Twellman got it last year. When Ruiz one it he had 24 goals in 26 games. When Kreis got it, he had his 15/15 season (18g 15a) so he was providing just as much as scoring. And we've all seen his game. He has a knack for goal but is in many way a midfielder. The only other blip in terms of MVP going to somone whose putting together passes and running the offense is Meola from the year everyone remembers KC's style of play for, 2000. The way they played that year, their GK was bound to nab the MVP.

2005 Taylow Twellman (NE)
2004 Amado Guevara (MET)
2003 Preki (K.C.)
2002 Carlos Ruiz (L.A.)
2001 Alex Pineda Chacon (MIA)
2000 Tony Meola (K.C.)
1999 Jason Kreis (DAL)
1998 Marco Etcheverry (D.C.)
1997 Preki (K.C.)
1996 Carlos Valderrama (T.B.)

I think Cunningham has a chance at being in the running for it. But if I were a betting man, I'd put my money on Moreno. He's came close in the past, he is just as skilled at coming up with creative passes as with goals and DC's having a great year.

And not to split hairs but RSL has put together a great run in the middle of the season. With 9 games left one can't really say they've had a great last 1/3 of a season. Technically they could loose the last 9 and only end up with 2 wins in the last third. The team's playing well and it would seem unlikely but it's the MLS, anything can happen.

RSLfrontrowfan · 08-25-2006, 10:08 AM

From MLSnet.com - Cunningham currently tops their list for MVP.

http://www.mlsnet.com/MLS/mls/awards/2006/index.jsp?award=mvp

Deuce · 08-25-2006, 10:41 AM

Ballouchy is third in the run for rookie of the year as well...
Where is Forko though? He is not a candidate for either RotY or Defender of the year...
That is unforunate that a player like Forko goes unheralded...

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I'm Just sayin'

prk166 · 08-25-2006, 10:52 AM

I'd pick Ballouchy for MVP over Cunningham. He's been the difference. He's the one holding onto the ball and moving it around so that RSL has the kind of possession they need to get the ball to Cunningham in dangerous places.

BroncsBomber · 08-25-2006, 11:40 AM

If Cunningham hits the 15-15 mark which is a possibility then he should easily win the award. I think they said on American Soccer that he would be the third, or the may have said there are only three now and then he would be the fourth. That is some elite company if he can do it.

nsps · 08-26-2006, 08:33 PM

After the Red Bulls game, I don't want Cunningham to do anything until he's willing to run after a ball.