One of the more intriguing points in the year is when Major League Soccer releases its ballots for the various awards given to the league’s top performers. With each team able to nominate one or two players for awards, along with one Coach of the Year and one Humanitarian of the Year, it yields insight for how teams value their performances. A left-field selection can suggest a player holds special value to their front office staff—Samuel Piette in Montreal has been solid in midfield but was a surprise choice—while glaring omissions spark angst among league watchers and, in the case of New York Red Bulls’ Tim Parker, agents:
Fact: Tim Parker is one of the very top defenders in MLS.