End of Season Awards

With the season now over, it's time to take a look at my year end awards for Sporting KC. As last year, members of the media got to vote on MVP, Defensive player of the year, and Humanitarian of the year. The team awards saw Jimmy Nielsen bring home MVP, Matt Besler bring home defensive player of the year , and Kei Kamara bring home Humanitarian of the Year for the second year in a row. In awards that weren't voted on by the media, there was the Juniors player of the year won by Nate Opperman and the Golden Boot, which went to Kamara because he had more assists than Teal Bunbury and Omar Bravo who both tied with Kamra for goals at 9. When it came to MVP voting, I actually had Nielsen third in my voting behind Graham Zusi (2) and my MVP below. Besler was my selection for defensive player of the year followed by Nielsen and then Aurelien Collin. Kamara topped my humanitarian of the year vote.

Newcomer of the Year - CJ Sapong

photo courtesy Jarred Donalson

I've switched this award up a bit from the past few years. It'd been the Rookie of the Yea award, but with only 1 rookie getting any time this year and only one getting much time the year before, I've decided to switch this award up and make it an award for the best newcomer to the team. This year I still have to give the award to the rookie, though, Sapong. Sapong scored 5 goals and added 5 assists in league play this year. He added another 3 goals in the US Open Cup and another goal in the playoffs. A fantastic season from the rookie.

Defender of the Year - Matt Besler

photo courtesy of Jarred Donalson

Besler, deservedly, won the team's defender of the year award. One year after struggling to get into the team and get games, Besler proved himself to be the cornerstone of KC's defense as it improved as the season went on. Besler helped to shut down offenses for much of the season, and even did well enough that he has worked his way into being considered a potential national teamer.

Goal of the Year - Graham Zusi @ Dallas 6/12



I debated this goal vs Kei Kamara's scissor kick vs Toronto, but in the end went with Zusi's blast. Yes it's a dead ball, but the pace and distance of the shot does it for me. The fact that it hit the post holding the back of the net up and bounced all the way to the bench area on the sideline. Just incredible.

Performance of the Year - Graham Zusi @ Dallas 6/12

photo courtesy of Jarred Donalson

The game that is considered Zusi's coming out party. He played a roll in all 4 goals that KC scored that day. He scored the first and the third goal. Played in the corner kick that Aurelien Collin eventually knocked in, and he played the pass to Birahim Diop that Diop played to Luke Sassano for the fourth goal.

From Goat to Hero Award - Chance Myers

photo courtesy of Jarred Donalson

I decided to create an award this year to honor the great season that Chance Myers had this year. He went from being considered one of the biggest number one pick busts in history to being a stalwart in defense for KC. Him along with Seth Sinovic made Michael Harrington expendable it seems after a great season by the former number one pick.

MVP - Matt Besler

photo courtesy of Jarred Donalson

Besler's performance this season has been exceptional. He solidified the back line with Aurelien Collin and Julio Cesar. His ability on the back line wasn't the only contribution though. Besler added the long throw to his repertoire this year and it's been a huge advantage to the team. The long throw led to 5 goals this season for KC, a big weapon for KC.