offerings (is it for players who overcome something extraordinary? Players who got hurt and are now well? Players who stunk last season and were good this season?) did not go to the player who survived cancer, D.C. United defender Chris Odoi-Atsem, who did get a few votes, but rather to Seattle Sounders attacker Jordan Morris, who missed the entire 2018 MLS season with a torn ACL. Morris did have arguably a career year (10 G, 7 A), while playing a new position, and he played his best at the end of the season. The other contender for this award among our voters was from a similar vein, LAFC midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye, who came back from a broken ankle last year.

Goalkeeper of the Year: Bill Hamid, D.C. United

Ending thesomewhat surprising winner in the award for best American or Canadian player in MLS is that a Canadian won, as Kaye narrowly beat out Morris for the honor. Sure, a Canadian has won MLS MVP before, but it’s still a bit of an upset, even though the men’s national team programs are at their closest point in decades.

Breakout Player: Heber, NYCFC

Heber just took this prize ahead of defender Miles Robinson, perhaps the player who got the most out of Frank de Boer replacing Tata Martino in Atlanta.

Coach of the Year: Bob Bradley, LAFC

Like Vela, Bradley was a near-unanimous first pick for this award, which makes sense considering LAFC won the Supporters’ Shield, broke the league’s points record (72), broke the record for biggest goal difference (+48) and tied