As the MLS regular season winds down, conversations have shifted to two subjects: playoffs and awards season. After a magnificent run that has pulled the Black-and-Red to the brink of the 2018 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs, several United players have put themselves in the conversation for major MLS end-of-season awards.
MLS recently announced the nominees for each of their ten awards, including the Landon Donovan MVP award.
Here is a breakdown of the Black-and-Red’s nominees:
2018 Landon Donovan MLS MVP: Luciano Acosta, Wayne Rooney
Acosta and Rooney have had standout seasons for United, and have been critical parts of their push for the postseason. Acosta is on the brink of joining United's elite 10+ goals and assists club, with nine goals and 16 assists on the season, while Rooney just scored his 10th goal for the Black-and-Red, and has raised the level of play of all those around him.
Defender of the Year: Steven Birnbaum
Birnbaum has been a critical piece of the Black-and-Red defense all season. He has played all 32 matches for United so far, totaling nearly 3,000 minutes of play, and has helped record five clean sheets. Birnbaum also leads all of MLS in clearances (194), headed clearances (106) and aerials won (158).
Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year: Bill Hamid
Hamid returned to United in early August after playing for Danish side Midtjylland the first half of the season. Since then, Hamid has recorded four shutouts and 46 saves, and has also been a key factor in United's rise up the Eastern Conference.
Newcomer of the Year: Wayne Rooney
Rooney has served as the catalyst for United’s turnaround since making his MLS debut on July 14. In 18 appearances, the English striker has scored 10 goals and recorded seven assists and has served as the District's primary leader on the field and in the locker room.
MLS Works Humanitarian of the Year: Steven Birnbaum
Birnbaum has shown his commitment to the D.C. Community through working with DC SCORES and volunteering with Special Olympics D.C. and the Humane Rescue Alliance.
Coach of the Year: Ben Olsen
Olsen has led United to one of the most exciting late-season runs in club history. During his tenure, the Black-and-Red have gone to the postseason four times, and he’s looking to make it a fifth-time this season after starting in the basement of the Eastern Conference. Olsen previously won the award in 2014, when the Black-and-Red finished 1st place in the Eastern Conference.
MLS' year-end awards will be voted on by players, media, and technical staff, with each group representing a third of the vote. Finalists will be announced on October 31.
