That old adage that just because everyone else is doing something doesn't mean you have to doesn't really apply to blogs; sometimes, it just makes sense to do what everyone else is doing.

The finalists for the MLS awards came out today, and while I didn't vote (really not sure why I didn't have a vote; I did vote for the All Stars) I do feel like make my choices known here at MFUSA. Feel free to jump in with your selections in the comments. I'm not picking for every award, just the biggies and ones I have an interest in.


Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists

Kasey Keller – Seattle Sounders FC

Donovan Ricketts – Los Angeles Galaxy

Zach Thornton – Chivas USA

MFUSA's choice: Kasey Keller

A tight race, with three very deserving candidates. Thornton was a brick wall for Chivas, and Donovan Ricketts made a massive difference for a Galaxy squad that was so poor defensively last year; but it was Keller, a calming, veteran presence at the back for the expansion Sounders, that set the tone for his squad all season. Despite stretches where goals were at a premium, the Sounders were still able to get the results they needed to make the playoffs, and I give a good portion of that credit to Keller.


Comeback Player of the Year Finalists

Brian McBride – Chicago Fire

Ben Olsen – D.C. United

Zach Thornton – Chivas USA

MFUSA's choice: Zach Thornton

Thornton may get beaten out in the Goalkeeper of the Year voting, but he seems the clear choice for Comeback Player of the Year. No one saw Thornton's season coming, and he ably stepped in for the departed Brad Guzan between the pipes for Chivas. Much of what Thornton does defies physics, which makes his candidacy in both the categories he's nominated in all the more amazing. Thornton is a no-brainer here.


Defender of the Year Finalists

Geoff Cameron – Houston Dynamo

Jhon Kennedy Hurtado – Seattle Sounders FC

Chad Marshall – Columbus Crew

MFUSA's choice: Chad Marshall

Marshall won this award last year, and there's no reason to believe he won't again this year; the other two candidates are certainly worthy, but neither is to Marshall's level. Cameron's versatility is a massive asset for the Dynamo, but it might actually hurt him for this award. Hurtado has been solid, but hasn't convinced me that he's MLS elite quite yet.


Rookie of the Year Finalists

Stefan Frei – Toronto FC

Omar Gonzalez – Los Angeles Galaxy

Chris Pontius – D.C. United

MFUSA's choice: Chris Pontius

Frei was very good for a rookie keeper. Gonzalez was steady for LA, but was prone to mistakes on occasion. Pontius wasn't far and away the rookie of the year, and there were other candidates around the league, but he was the best of this group. DC United looked like a more dangerous team when Pontius was on the field, and he rarely looked like a rookie.


Coach of the Year Finalists

Bruce Arena – Los Angeles Galaxy

Sigi Schmid – Seattle Sounders FC

Robert Warzycha – Columbus Crew

MFUSA's choice: Bruce Arena

We knew Columbus was good, and although it took them a little while to get on track, Warzycha still had a lot of talent to work with. Sigi did a wonderful job getting his expansion team to the playoffs, and that shouldn't be dismissed. But Arena's job seemed the most difficult to me, and he took a terrible team from 2008 and turned them into a conference winner. What he was able to do with LA's goals allowed alone is worthy of this award.


MLS Most Valuable Player Finalists

Jeff Cunningham – FC Dallas

Landon Donovan – Los Angeles Galaxy

Shalrie Joseph – New England Revolution

MFUSA's choice: Sharlie Joseph

I'm an old-fashioned guy; the MVP award for me is about who was the most important guy for his particular team rather than who was the best or highest-scoring player in the league. Donovan is the best player, Cunningham the highest-scoring; but Joseph was the most important, because the Revs would have been dead in the water without him. Versatile, relentless, and always good for his best effort, Joseph picked up slack all over the Revolution formation, created because they were so decimated by injuries at key spots this year. Joseph is the MVP because not only do I think the Revs wouldn't have made the playoffs without him, I'm not sure Steve Nichol would still be employed.


Alright, your turn: shoot holes in my choices and give me yours.