#NERevs Predictions: Who’ll be the Defensive MVP?
- Updated: February 28, 2017
Photo credit: Kari Heistad/capturedimages.biz
Welcome to the second of a five-part series of Revolution-related predictions for the upcoming season. Yesterday, we gave our predictions for the Golden Boot winner. Today, our writers weigh in on who they believe will be the team’s defensive MVP in 2017.
By the way, we want your take, too! Feel free to leave your vote in the comments section!
Sean Donahue: Andrew Farrell. While all the attention will be on the pairing of newcomers Benjamin Angoua and Antonio Mlinar Delamea at center back this year, Andrew Farrell has finally been freed to focus solely on playing right back again. The failed experiment at center back may have hurt his development as potentially one of the best right backs in the league, but expect him to get back on track this season and have a breakout year patrolling the right flank.
Greg Johnstone: Benjamin Angoua will come in with a lot of pressure to lead the Revolution defense in need of much improvement. His experience in Ligue 1 will be valuable and I expect him to turn into the leader of that group. If Angoua stays healthy, he’s my pick for Defensive MVP.
Brian O’Connell: Based on the way his coach has raved about him, I have to go with Toni Delamea, who’s looked especially good during preseason action. A smart and gritty defender who’s also shown leadership abilities, it would not shock me in the slightest if he makes the kind of impact we saw from Jose Goncalves during his first year in New England.
Jose Pereira: I like to pay attention to things often overlooked, I think the goalkeeper position will be the defensive MVP winner, so I think Cody Cropper will be defensive MVP, and will be a big upgrade from Bobby Shuttleworth.
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Rick Sewall
March 1, 2017 at 1:04 pm
Andrew, learn how to shoot, score a few goals, and you will be the odds -on favorite to be the Rev defensive mvp. At the very least, you will be playing at a higher level.
Mike
March 1, 2017 at 8:00 pm
It’s going to be Delamea Mlinar. He has stepped in and performed well this preseason which is a good sign. He is saying the right things and already showing leadership. Just like Goncalves in 2013, I think he will prove to be a very solid signing.
Robert
March 2, 2017 at 12:48 pm
Delamea is a good pick for defensive MVP, but I will look at it from a different perspective and give the nod to Chris Tierney. Although he is probably not thought of as a defensive stand-out, he is solid and brings experience to the LB position. I think, though, he will have the successful season that we thought he was going to have last season, especially after the Kamara acquisition. After a full pre-season, Kamara looks ready, and the partnership with Juan and Lee will be beneficial and should open space for Kei who will greatly benefit from Tierney services into the box. I would not be surprised to see Tierney approach 10 assists this season with his perfect crosses and set pieces. Chris is my choice for defensive MVP for his all-around game.
J metsch
March 3, 2017 at 4:12 pm
Too tough to tell now. I’d like to see Andrew mix it up when he comes down the line. I see other teams play him as “he won’t take a shot. He’s going to pass off”. He appears to be defended that way. It’s like when the offense tris to dribble past the goalie to get a goal. HATE THAT. They win games with 1 touches. I’d rather see a close miss than watch them dribble around the box for a perfect shot. Won’t happen.