The 2018 MLS Awards nominees were announced on Tuesday by the league. All in all, nine different players, as well as our head coach, were nominated along with dozens of players from around the league in the following categories.
2018 Landon Donovan MLS MVP Award
Ignacio Piatti
Samuel Piette
No surprise seeing these two names on the ballot for Montreal.
Ignacio Piatti is in the midst of one of his best MLS seasons to date. With two games to go, the Argentine maestro already boasts 14 goals and 13 assists, his best point total so far in this league. He makes up one of only six players league wide to reach double digits in both categories.
Samuel Piette, on his end, has been a rock in midfield, starting every single game this season for the Bleu-blanc-noir, setting records in Impact history in both the first and second divisions. The Canadian international midfielder has managed 267 recoveries so far this year, good for second league-wide, behind only Michael Bradley.
Defender of the Year
Rod Fanni
Daniel Lovitz
Rod Fanni would also make a lovely addition to saviour of the year if that was an actual category. Zakaria Diallo’s Achilles tendon injury a few days before the season opener put a central defensive unit on thin ice, but the former French international took it in stride, starting 24 games this season, and bringing stability to the club’s backline.
Daniel Lovitz has blossomed in only his second season as a left-back. His winning goal and five assists this year represent his best total since joining MLS.
Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year
Evan Bush
Long-time Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush is having himself quite a season as well. The American leads the league in saves made with 126 and in shots faced with 177. He’s started every game this season, while tying the club record for most clean sheets in a season with nine to his name.
Newcomer of the Year
Bacary Sagna
Alejandro Silva
Hard to choose which newcomer has had a bigger impact with the Bleu-blanc-noir this year, but Alejandro Silva and Bacary Sagna are a good place to start.
Sagna, on his end, joined the team a little later, but had an immediate effect with his new teammates, starting seven consecutive games since he was signed, on August 8. Sagna has shown he is still stable defensively, while being a threat going forward.
In his first MLS season, Uruguayan Alejandro Silva has brought stability to Montreal’s right wing, offering a very viable threat on the flank and connecting well with Designated Player Ignacio Piatti. The winger already boasts 10 assists on the season, tying a former MLS record that was beaten by Piatti this year.
MLS WORKS Humanitarian of the Year
Jason Beaulieu
Goalkeeper Jason Beaulieu stood out this year through his implication in community initiatives. He gave out presentations regarding educational perseverance and respect in numerous schools throughout Greater Montreal, in addition to taking part in many community initiatives alongside young children. He got involved with Special Olympics Quebec and raised funds for the fight against childhood cancer by taking part in the Leucan shaved heads challenge.
AT&T Rookie of the Year
Ken Krolicki
Young Ken Krolicki, selected in the third round, 53rd overall in the 2018 MLS SuperDraft, had an immediate impact with the team, impressing head coach Rémi Garde with his work rate, his desire to learn, and his attitude. The midfielder has started 18 games so far in his first MLS season, including the first six games of the year.
Coach of the Year
Rémi Garde
It’s been quite a season for head coach Rémi Garde. The former Lyon man boasts an good record in his first MLS season, earning results in opportune moments against difficult opponents. After a rough start, Garde was integral in orchestrating his team’s ascent in the standings in the second half of the season. Now, with just two games left to play, the Impact is still in the race.
The French head coach is also the only man in charge to have been named Coach of the Week in MLS four times this year.
