popular second-choice picks for MVP.

Defender of the Year: Ike Opara, Minnesota United

Often, Defender of the Year goes to a leading defender on the team that conceded the fewest goals, but a different kind of logic was at work here. Opara joined in the offseason from Sporting KC, who had their worst season in nearly a decade, partly because Opara had left. Meanwhile, Minnesota’s defensive record was substantially better, as they conceded 28 fewer goals in 2019 than the season before, going from “hovering around breaking the record for most goals given up in a season” to “top half defense, capable of getting some results.” As always, it was a team effort, but the stark difference in two clubs with and without Opara made him a landslide pick. LAFC’sWalker Zimmerman and Atlanta United’s Miles Robinson were distant contenders for this honor in the eyes of our voters.

Newcomer of the Year: Heber, New York City FC

The Brazilian striker was transferred from a Croatian club near the beginning of the season, the kind of inauspicious transfer that led most to think he’d be a supporting piece at best for NYCFC. But Heber led NYCFC in scoring with 15 goals and on a team built to spread the scoring load around, he was the attacker who took on the greatest burden in the goals department. The only other player who gave Heber a run in this category was New England Revolution playmaker Carles Gil.

Comeback Player of the Year: Jordan Morris, Seattle Sounders

This award, perhaps the most confusing of MLS