Jimmy Nielsen Named Sporting Kansas City Most Valuable Player

Before the start of the Sporting Kansas City and New York Red Bulls match on Saturday, the club announced that Jimmy Nielsen had been named Sporting Kansas City's most valuable player.

Matt Besler was named Defensive Player of the Year, and Kei Kamara was named Sporting KC's Humanitarian of the Year. Nate Opperman was named the Most Outstanding Juniors Player for Sporting KC.

Votes were cast by Sporting Kansas City players, coaches, and members of the media.

I honestly can't argue with any of the awards that were given. After riding the "Graham Zusi for MVP" bandwagon for much of the year, I eventually ended up thinking Jimmy was the most deserving throughout the entire span of the season.

There were a few players on Sporting KC's roster that I could have seen winning the award, among them; Jimmy, Kei Kamara, Matt Besler, Omar Bravo, and Zusi.

At the end of the day, I think the voters got it right, as Jimmy has bailed out the team on numerous occasions this year with some amazing saves. It also doesn't hurt that he's just a great guy in general.

As far as the Defender of the Year award was concerned; could the vote have even been close? Besler has been a complete rock in the heart of the Sporting KC defense all season long. Other defenders have had very good seasons (Chance Myers, Seth Sinovic, etc), but Besler stood out.

It's worth noting that there is a couple of more awards to keep your eyes on;

• The Sporting KC Budweiser Golden Boot, given to the team's leading goal scorer. This one should be interesting with Bravo, Teal Bunbury, and Kamara all tied with nine goals this season, and only one match remaining.
• MLS Rookie of the Year- I would imagine C.J. Sapong would be the front runner at the moment. Five goals, and five assists, and not too much in the way of competition. I think the award is Sapong's to lose at this point.
• MLS Coach of the Year- I would also have to think that Peter Vermes would have to be at the top or near the top of the list of coaches in contention. Vermes has taken a team from last place in the Eastern Conference earlier in the summer, to possibly first depending on how the D.C. United match pans out.