It’s hard to believe that we are now in October. That means only one month left in the 2016 MLS season. That being said, it is now time to vote for your Etihad Airways Player of the Month for September. There are five very worthy candidates but only one can walk away as the winner. Let’s take a look at the nominees put together by the MLSsoccer.com editorial staff.
Giovani dos Santos, LA Galaxy
Giovani dos Santos had himself a very good month of September. How good you ask? He scored five goals and assisted on four others during the month. He has been playing so well that he was also named to Mexico’s roster for their upcoming friendlies against Panama and New Zealand. During the month of September, the LA Galaxy went 2-1-2 and are currently trying to chase down FC Dallas for the Supporter’s Shield. If he plays as well in October as he did in September, they may have a chance.
Ola Kamara, Columbus Crew
You may not know a ton about Ola Kamara other than the fact he has the same surname as former Columbus Crew striker Kei Kamara. During the month of September, Kamara scored five goals and assisted on one other. Ever since he replaced Kei Kamara, he has been consistent as they come in MLS. He currently has 15 goals in his first season with the Crew. The Crew have three games left and will need to win all three and get a little help from the teams above them if they want to make a return to the playoffs and repeat at Eastern Conference Champions.
David Villa, New York City FC
There isn’t much that you do not know about David Villa. The Spaniard scored five goals and assisted on two others in September. New York City FC went 3-0-1 during the month and find themselves sitting right behind the New York Red Bulls in the Eastern Conference Standings on goal differential. Villa currently has 21 goals on the season and has been the heartbeat of New York City’s attack. Another good month and New York City could possibly win the East and get home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Chad Marshall, Seattle Sounders
It's not often a defender get nominated for Player of the Month but Chad Marshall of the Seattle Sounders has been just as important as any striker named to the list. So far on the season, Marshall has four goals which included the game-winning goal against the Chicago Fire at the end of September. Marshall has helped anchor a defense that allowed only three goals in four games as the Sounders went 3-0-1 in September and have found themselves in fifth place in the Western Conference Standings with three games to go.
Bradley Wright-Phillips, New York Red Bulls
It’s no real surprise that Bradley Wright-Philipps has been named to the list. He scored four goals in four games and helped lead the New York Red Bulls to a 2-0-2 mark in September. Wright-Phillips has 21 goals, tied with the above mentioned David Villa, and is a race to win his second Golden Boot award in three seasons. If the Red Bulls win out, they will claim the number one overall seed in the East and have an outside chance of claiming the Supporter’s Shield if FC Dallas, on 56 points, stumbles in their last two games.