2019 predictions: MLS Cup, Supporters' Shield, MVP, and more

The staff at theScore FC have submitted their predictions for the 2019 MLS season. Devang Desai, Anthony Lopopolo, Gianluca Nesci, and Daniel Rouse were tasked with picking winners of the Supporters’ Shield, MLS Cup, and other individual awards. Here’s who they see taking home the prizes:

Most Valuable Player

Carlos Vela is the slight favorite to collect the league’s most coveted individual prize after scoring 14 goals over 28 appearances in his maiden MLS term. Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Raul Ruidiaz are also believed to be in the reckoning following their respective impacts at the LA Galaxy and Seattle Sounders in 2018.

Golden Boot

Ibrahimovic nearly sweeps the predictions for the Golden Boot award. Despite starting only 24 MLS matches in 2018, the veteran Swede netted 22 times while the Galaxy hemorrhaged goals at the back. Last year’s MVP, Josef Martinez, should be hot on Ibrahimovic’s heels.

Rookie of the Year

There is no obvious choice for Rookie of the Year, so there’s no consensus on who’s the top tip to collect the prize. Andre Shinyashiki is an exciting prospect for the Colorado Rapids and will squabble for minutes with fellow youngsters Cole Bassett and Matt Hundley.

Coach of the Year

Even after the departure of Gerardo “Tata” Martino, there’s a wealth of big-name coaches in MLS. No one believes Frank de Boer’s debut season overseeing MLS Cup champions Atlanta United will merit Coach of the Year recognition, but league newcomer Matias Almeyda features as he tries to rejuvenate 2018’s cellar-dwellers in the San Jose Earthquakes.

Newcomer of the Year

Pity Martinez will be selected by many as an inevitable Newcomer of the Year. The South American Player of the Year opting to further his career in MLS is a major coup and a strong retort after Miguel Almiron left Atlanta for Newcastle United. There is also justified excitement for the arrivals of Marco Fabian and Alexandru Mitrita.

Goalkeeper of the Year

Tim Melia had to wait for his chance. The 32-year-old was second fiddle to Nick Rimando at Real Salt Lake and was then frustrated behind Dan Kennedy at Chivas USA. Melia’s opportunity came at Sporting Kansas City thanks to injuries and the departure of Luis Marin, but he’s now easily one of the best goalkeepers in MLS. He won the ‘keeper gong in 2017.

Defender of the Year

Two Sporting KC defenders feature in this quartet, a clear sign of people’s confidence that the Kansas outfit can stage another convincing postseason push. Los Angeles FC’s Walker Zimmerman and the New York Red Bulls’ Kemar Lawrence round things out.

Comeback Player of the Year

A 50-50 split for this category. Jozy Altidore will be raring to go after overcoming injuries and signing a contract until the end of the 2022 season with Toronto FC, but it’s difficult to envision anyone other than Jordan Morris getting this award. The gifted Sounders attacker is back following a serious ACL injury and will be immediately ushered into Brian Schmetzer’s stacked frontline.

Supporters’ Shield

The Red Bulls set a single-season record of 71 points over the 2018 season and haven’t conceded at home for 757 minutes. Although there’s a Tyler Adams-shaped hole in the midfield, the nab of Mathias Jorgensen helps take some of the goal-scoring burden off Bradley Wright-Phillips. New York’s pursuit of a fourth Supporters’ Shield must be taken very, very seriously.

MLS Cup

It promises to be an enthralling regular season before the usual thrills and spills of MLS playoffs. Sporting KC are definitely a strong favorite to hoist the MLS Cup, but the Red Bulls and Sounders can’t be slept on. Atlanta United, LAFC, and D.C. United are surprisingly overlooked, while the Montreal Impact, Portland Timbers, and FC Dallas could all spring an upset.