Major League Soccer’s 12th season was dominated by the arrival of high-priced international players. But D.C. United’s comparatively economical Brazilian import proved to be the best, as forward Luciano Emilio was named the league’s most valuable player Thursday at ESPN Zone.
Emilio, 28, finished the year with a league-high 20 goals and one assist, the first MLS to reach the 20-mark since 2002.
“I am surprised because Cuauhtemoc Blanco and Juan Pablo Angel are very good international players,” said Emilio of the award’s two other finalists. “I am so happy.”
This weekend Emilio will also receive the inaugural newcomer of the year award, which honors the league’s top new player from overseas.
In the race for both accolades, Emilio bested Colombian forward Angel (19 goals, 5 assists, $1.6 million salary) of the New York Red Bulls and Mexican playmakerCuauhtemoc Blanco (4 goals, 7 assists, $2.7 million) of the Chicago Fire, both of whom were signed as part of the Designated Player rule.
Emilio, who earned $293,000, is the second straight D.C. United player to earn the league’s highest individual award, following Christian Gomez last season.
“It’s really a reflection of not just me but the staff,” said United general manager Dave Kasper. “We all work together and really hard at putting the right pieces together, finding players with a lot of character, good guys in the locker room and good teammates.”
Including Marco Etcheverry in 1998, D.C. has had three different players named MVP, but none have earned the award in the same season as a United championship.
