Last night the 2011 MLS season came to an end at the Home Depot Center with the Galaxy defeating the Houston Dynamo 1-0 to take the Cup. Not the greatest Cup final ever, but Don Garber said during half time that the season itself was the best in the league's history and I have to agree. Here's my take on various things in the 2011 campaign, and I'll try my hardest not to be an RSL homer.
Best Surprise Team--To me, this comes down to two teams from the east, Sporting KC and Toronto FC. Sporting overcame their monster road trip at the beginning of the year to make it all the way to the Eastern Conference Finals. However, I'm going to go with TFC. This is a team that looked like they were just going to tank at the beginning of the year, even trading away the eventual MVP, Dwayne De Rosario. In the end, Aron Winter and TFC front office acquitted themselves well by totally changing up their roster and becoming a very competitive team toward the end of the season. They also won the Canadian Championship and made it to the CCL group phase for the first time, even though they ultimately missed out on a playoff spot. I see that finally changing next year for TFC.
Most Disappointing Team--This absolutely has to be the New York Red Bulls. With all the money they've spent, they barely scraped into the playoffs ahead of an expansion team. The obtained DeRo from TFC, only to trade him later in the year to make room for a DP GK--Frank Rost. Now it's believed Rost might not be back. One of their other DPs, Rafa Marquez, imploded toward the end of the season, and the Red Bulls actually had a better record without him in the line up. Tim Ream continued to stink, and the GK situation never did get settled. The only positive in the season was Thierry Henry, who finally came into his own in the league.
GK of the Year--MLS gave this award to Kasey Keller, which is asinine to me. No way did he have the best season in MLS. It was basically a life time achievement award. While Keller is a good sentimental choice and a US Soccer legend, I'm going to go with.....Josh Saunders of the LA Galaxy. I'll give an honorable mention to RSL homeboy Nick Rimando, but again, I'm trying not to be a homer. Nicky had one of the best years in MLS, but Saunders really stepped up for LA down the stretch, turning in some unreal performances late in the season both in the league and CCL. He then proceeded to guide them to the trophy, putting up a clean sheet in the final. Supporter's Shield and the MLS Cup. Trophies do matter.
Player of the Year--DeRo got the MVP, but I can't go along with that. Yes, his individual season does warrant it, but he played for three different teams, two of which failed to make the playoffs. Yes, he had an MVP TYPE year but not the Player of the Year. This goes to Brek Shea of FC Dallas to me. My friend and I have said every time we watched FC Dallas, if you want the goals, go through Brek Shea. Dallas could have totally fallen apart after the injury to Ferriera, but Shea steadied the ship, stepped up, and guided them into the playoffs. Unfortunately for the Dallas fans, the grind of the league and CCL was too much for them and led to an opening round playoff exit.
Well, that's my take. It certainly was a great season in MLS, though as an RSL fan, I would have loved to see it end differently. However, only one team is going to hoist the Cup, and the Galaxy certainly deserve it. Now, onto the expansion draft and into a new season!
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