Offensive Player of 2011

by Dave Clark on Nov 4, 2011 8:10 AM PDT in Sounders: Analysis

Last year we started a little awards series. Rather than an "MVP" we separated that into "Offensive" and "Defensive" Player of Year. Unlike the official awards of MLS these are to recognize play in all competitive matches. Both by vote (2010 - 69%) and proclamation (2009) Fredy Montero won the award.

In 2011 the candidates are more limited. The decision really comes down to how one views the sport. There's Montero again. He had 38 starts, 4 sub appearances, 17 goals, 12 assists, a 1.24 PP90, completed 70.5% of all passes, 61.6% in the offensive third, a goals plus/minus of 0.69 and shots plus/minus of 0.96. Fredy is clearly capable of great numbers.

The other challenger is Mauro Rosales. The Seattle Sounders found a #10, put him out on the right wing and found some one who could power the offense. He had 25 starts, 5 sub appearances, 5 goals, 14 assists, a .99 PP90, completed 68.3% of all passes, 56.6% in the offensive third, a goals plus/minus of 0.75 and shots plus/minus of 0.80.

Both appear in national writers short lists for MLS MVP.

Poll

Which player contributed more to the Seattle Sounders offensive success in all 2011 competitions?

Fredy Montero

267 votes

Mauro Rosales

377 votes

Other (name in comments)

4 votes

648 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 22 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

Brutal.

I picked Montero but can’t really put into words why.

by ryanhealy on Nov 4, 2011 8:15 AM PDT reply actions

I know why...

It’s called goals.

I still voted for Rosales. He just made our offense work even on off days. No chance we lay en egg in SLC with Rosales in there.

by Ryan R Ray on Nov 4, 2011 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree with this.

by nicktjacob on Nov 4, 2011 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions

However...

…we also don’t win some of the games we did this year without Fredy.

by nicktjacob on Nov 4, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Durability

Even with his wrist, Montero still had 42 appearances compared to 30 for Rosales.

by CMC_Stags on Nov 4, 2011 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

fyi

you put Fredy’s goals and assists for Rosales as well. Mauro has 5 G 14 A and a PP90 of .98

by Colin Johnson on Nov 4, 2011 8:20 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

fixed

Editor/writer at Sounder at Heart, MLS editor SB Nation. Follow me on Twitter. You'll Never Yacht Alone.

by Jeremiah Oshan on Nov 4, 2011 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Remember when Curt Shilling and Randy Johnson shared the MVP award for the world series?

Thats almost how i feel about this. Its hard to imagine one having the season they did without the other. I voted for Montero because i think he contributed more in more games. However, I think Rosales’ presence on the team makes Fredy better. Can there be a most valuable role model Award?

"The fans are excited. And the stadium, well, it ignites with explosion."

by DarthGreedo on Nov 4, 2011 8:31 AM PDT reply actions

38 starts compared to 25 starts

That’s basically 3 starts for Fredy for every 2 starts for Mauro. With a better PP90 and that many more games, it’s easy for me to give it to Fredy. Montero also scored a goal in every USOC game he played (all but the Kitsap game), and that’s the competition we won this year. If Mauro was more healthy, it’s a more difficult call, but unfortunately he wasn’t.

by ubelmann on Nov 4, 2011 9:02 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

Gotta go with Fredy on this one

The guy does it all, scoring and assisting, plays physical, fights through hard fouls, and is available for pretty much every match. I really think the wrist injury and cast affected him a lot early in the season. Great season for Mauro too, nothing wrong with voting for him, but Fredy’s my pick without question.

Recessionproof since 2009.

by 253Sounder on Nov 4, 2011 9:06 AM PDT reply actions

Fredy also battled through an injury Wednesday night against RSL

That shows a lot of guts. He knew we needed him for the full 90, especially after having to make early substitutions for Evans and Fernandez. It paid off when he set up the second goal of the match. There was a noticeable difference in the middle of the season once the cast came off. Even early in the season, Montero with a broken wrist was better than no Montero.

by Randy Meeker on Nov 4, 2011 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions

Couldn't agree more

The guy is really durable considering the pounding he takes and the number of appearances. He is young of course which helps, but Sigi’s even mentioned before how well he recovers. You might even call him…a freak?

Recessionproof since 2009.

by 253Sounder on Nov 5, 2011 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I voted for Rosales

But then rethought my approach. I think Rosales makes more sense as a general MVP than an Offensive Player of the Year. I think it was more Rosales being on the pitch and being great that motivated our entire team, both offense and defense. If I revoted, I would go for Fredy, who is purely offensive and has done great things for us in that respect. Rosales would be my candidate for MVP in general.

by KC Bridges on Nov 4, 2011 9:18 AM PDT reply actions

For me...

Offensive player of the year goes to Fredy, MVP goes to Mauro.

by nicktjacob on Nov 4, 2011 9:33 AM PDT reply actions 8 recs

I'd be okay with that

It’s the season’s triumvirate: Montero (Offensive MVP), Alonso (Defensive MVP) & Rosales (MVP). Rosales leadership toward the younger guys and willingness to play hard for peanuts is the tie-breaker for me.

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by Dizzo on Nov 4, 2011 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs

Oops.

Voted for Rosales when I thought he had the same goals/assists as Freddy in less play time. Now I would probably vote for Freddy. I agree with KC Bridges about Rosales being MVP and Freddy being Offensive Player. Defensive player? Keller! :P

by beowuff on Nov 4, 2011 9:34 AM PDT reply actions

Fredy was frustrating at times but also gets the majority of the offense credit, too

Rosales had 30 appearances but when we needed him most (last week and last month of season) he was not able to be there.

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by chrisso on Nov 4, 2011 10:22 AM PDT reply actions

I think the voting is just about perfect

I would give Rosales 55% of the award, Montero 45%. I would actually be happy with any result between there and 45-55. Giving it to one player exclusively is too discrete (not to be confused with discreet).

by Fnarf on Nov 4, 2011 2:04 PM PDT reply actions

I know he doesn't get as much attention

But why no love for Flaco?

He had a monster season if we take all competitions into account, scoring at almost the same clip as Zak while playing better defense than Zak.

I mean, I voted for Montero, and probably would have even if Flaco was on the list, but I’d like to at lest give him an honorable mention here in the comments.

by Orothar on Nov 5, 2011 9:41 PM PDT reply actions

This one really just seemed a two player contest

I initially debated including Fernandez, but didn’t because he was overshadowed by two other player. On a few MLS teams he may be the best offensive player, but here he’s 3rd.

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by Dave Clark on Nov 7, 2011 8:56 AM PST up reply actions

Fredy again

50% more starts while maintaining similar rate stats is the clincher for me. Montero is a threat to score from anywhere in the offensive third and opens space for the other attackers, which his improved passing exploited well this year as he continued to improve. I hope he is still a Sounder when he reaches his peak years.

That said, I love the way Mauro Rosales plays. The creativity, skill, energy and intelligence he brings adds a spark to the offense that is unmatched by any other Sounder. If not for a hacked knee ligament my vote would probably be for Mauro and we would not be having this discussion until next week at least.

by look4wrd on Nov 5, 2011 9:58 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs