:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50152375/usa-today-9289874.0.jpg)
This is going to displease a few people because all choices are personal. So, here we go.
U = unsung hero ... a player whose consistent play, leadership or energy make him indispensable to the team
O = overrated ... who has not met expectations ... who's a big flop even ...
R = what player is having a good season .... perhaps unexpectedly so ...
NYCFC:
U = Tommy McNamara ... a real spark plug ... not your typical looking player but full of verve
O = who else but Mix Diskerud ... not likely to see much action in the foreseeable future
R = Jack Harrison ... we're seeing a superstar take hold of a big market
U = Chris Pontius ... a great pick up for the team ...his drive and runs forward bring out the best in his teammates
O = hard to find anyone in that category in Philadelphia ... the team has made huge progress this season
R = Keegan Rosenberry ... Harrison in New York is trying to catch up but the defender leads the rookie of the year race.
RBNY
U = Felipe ... I'd still want to see him wearing the bleu-blanc-noir and run the Impact's midfield
O = Gonzalo Veron ... has yet to show anything deserving of a DP status
R = the youngster Alex Muyl has shown great confidence in his abilities so far
IMFC
U = normally would be Toia but his injury has limited his play ... while not spectacular Kyle Bekker has done well
O = after a great start Dominic Oduro's play has tailed off ...doesn't seem to trust his speed anymore ...
R = Michael Salazar ... the young forward has displaced other talented players in the order of things
TFC
U = Benoit Cheyrou ... the real king pin of Toronto's midfield play ...has shone without Bradley
O = that can only be Jozy Altidore ... despite the injury, has not demonstrated why he's paid so much money
R = Jordan Hamilton ... young Canadian forward who's earning playing time by dong all the right things
U = Scott Caldwell ... typical solid MLS player who rarely puts his teammates in trouble
O = Jose Gonçalves ... had an excellent year, MLS defender of the year ... but his play has tailed off since
R = Femi ... has shown great ability despite limited play time ... lots of promise
DC United
U = Marcelo Sarvas ... the heart and soul of DC's midfield ... always plays with emotion
O = Fabian Espindola ...might be a surprise to some to see his name here, but the DP player can do more
R = Steve Birnbaum ...great to see what a national team call up can do ... now firmly in the elite of MLS defenders
U = Darwin Ceren ... on a team that has problems defending, often stops attack in midfield ... solid pick up
O = Antonio Nocerino ...has not adapted well to MLS ... often looks completely lost
R = Tommy Redding ... on a bad defensive team ... acquiring experience that will serve him well later
Columbus Crew
U = Harrison Afful ... one of the bright spots for a Crew team looking for an identity
O = Will Trapp ... the American's play has regressed ...
R = Ola Kamara ...how many really expected him to do so well in MLS ?
U = Matt Polster ... a midfielder that continues to progress despite his team's difficulties
O = Kennedy Igboanike ... hard to see any justification for that contract
R = Brandon Vincent ... sees lots of play time on a bad team ... a good learning
U = on a team full of dynamic stars, Ryan Hollingshead's versatility and consistent play goes unnoticed
O = hard to find anyone here not performing ... but maybe Maynor Figueroa could bring more
R = Carlo Gruezo ... the Ecuadorian is having a dream first season in Dallas ...bosses that midfield like a pit bull
U = it's great to have a solid veteran like Marco Pappa around ... rarely plays a wrong ball ...
O = Luis Solignac ... showed some sparks earlier this season ...back to barely an amber of late
R = Axel Sjoberg ...will be snapped up by a European Club ... too tall ... too good ...
U = in an array of stars Jelle Van Damme may not be the most scintillating but he's been the most consistent
O = Nigel de Jong ... bad tackles aside ... has not been able to adjust to the athleticism of the league
R = Daniel Steres' emergence on the Galaxy's defense should lessen Bruce Arena's worries for a few years
RSL
U = Luke Mulholland ... versatile, plays with conviction ... a team leader
O = Olmes Garcia ...had shown promise under Jason Kreis ... has achieved little since
R = Justen Glad and Jordan Allen ... both players indicate the future might be bright in Utah
Vancouver
U = Mathias Laba ... Energy, fight and ability ... one of the very best DM in MLS ...exactly what IMFC needs
O = Pedro Morales ... the captain can do more ... sometimes seems to come in an out of games mentally
R = Tim Parker ... evolving into a very solid MLS defender despite Vancouver's defensive woes this season
U = Alvas Powell ... his run and dynamism on the outside add a potent weapon to the Timber's arsenal
O = Lucas Melano ... we're still waiting to see the young DP earn his keep
R = his play made Kwarasey expendable ...Jake Gleeson has been splendid in goal
Sporting KC
U = Kevin Ellis has become a mainstay in SKC's defensive set up ... reads the play well and can pitch in with a goal
O = Peter Vermes is high on Diego Rubio but the promise still has to materialize
R = Lawrence Olum is helping to confine Matt Besler to the bench ... enough said
U = in an absolute Annus Horribilis for Seattle, Erik Friberg's play has been one of the few positives
O = Nelson Valdez ... the experience of top Euro leagues has not translated into great play yet
R = in addition to Jordan Morris, the Sounders have a rough gem in Cristian Roldan
U = lousy year ... lousy team ... ray of sunshine? Cristian Maidana ... solid playmaker
O = O Cubo ...where art thou ? Erik Torres has got to find his game at some point ...right ?
R = frankly hard to see anyone who fits on that roster here ...
What are your thoughts ? Who's your favorite unsung hero in MLS ?