The last time D.C. United had a Golden Boot winner, that player also earned MLS’ MVP award. It would seem that Dwayne De Rosario (16 goals, 12 assists) is on the same track that Luciano Emilio was in 2007, when the Brazilian striker led the league with 20 goals and also was named MVP.
Despite not scoring in United’s 1-0 loss to Sporting Kansas City in its season finale Saturday, De Rosario closed out the 2011 campaign tied for the goal title with San Jose forward Chris Wondolowski (16 goals, three assists), who managed only one goal in the Earthquakes’ final game. The league’s tiebreaker for the Golden Boot award is assists, and no double-figure goal scorer besides De Rosario also reached double digits in assists.
Of course, in 2007 Emilio played with a stunning supporting cast that included Christian Gomez, who registered 10 goals and nine assists that year and might have deserved the MVP nod himself. Juan Pablo Angel was even more impressive that season, with 19 goals and five assists for a New York team that didn’t have nearly D.C. United’s talent.
Ultimately, United still rewarded Emilio that offseason with a huge contract and unceremoniously split with Gomez, when perhaps the opposite move would have been more appropriate. Emilio was never the same player, and Gomez’s return in 2009 after one season in Colorado was a disappointment.
Should 33-year-old De Rosario claim the MVP award this year — and he is the overwhelming front-runner — there’s little reason to suggest that second-guessing his value — contract extension negotiations will begin soon — will be necessary.
– Craig Stouffer
