Why Dwayne De Rosario Should Not Win MLS MVP

By Benjamin Massey Eight Six Forever

Dwayne De Rosario Is Not MLS’s Most Valuable Player
Dwayne De Rosario is, without question, one of the best players in the history of Major League Soccer. Though he’s never been MVP or won scoring title before this season, he was two-time MLS Cup MVP and has made six appearances on the MLS Best Eleven. Consistently among the best players in MLS but never quite at the top.

This changed in 2011. Splitting his time between Toronto FC, the New York Red Bulls, and DC United, De Rosario tied with Chris Wondolowski of the San Jose Earthquakes for the MLS Golden Boot while adding 12 assists, fourth in the league. At the age of 33, De Rosario was among the league’s most terrifying and most consistent players. Small wonder he’s a favourite for the MLS Most Valuable Player award, to be handed out Friday.

De Rosario, however, has always had his haters. He’s been accused of self-absorption, of playing selfishly, of posting gaudy stats while making his teams worse. He left his hometown club under a massive dark cloud and was unable to stick with the Red Bulls. In his early days with San Jose and the Houston Dynamo De Rosario could be a consummate professional, but over the past few years he’s looked like more and more of a distraction.

This season, those attacking De Rosario’s MVP candidacy are pointing to his lacklustre defense, his teams’ lack of success, and the fact that he was traded twice in one season. It’s unusual for two teams in one year to decide they don’t want any sport’s most valuable player!

Full Story