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2017 predictions: Supporters' Shield, MLS Cup, MVP, and more

Derik Hamilton / Reuters

The staff at theScore has taken a peek into the crystal ball and made predictions for the 2017 MLS season; Armen Bedakian, Michael Chandler, Anthony Lopopolo, and Daniel Rouse were tasked with the selections. From the major individual awards to the Supporters' Shield and MLS Cup, here's who they see collecting the hardware on offer this season.

Individual award winners

Most Valuable Player

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
Giovani Dos Santos Sebastian Giovinco Sebastian Giovinco Sebastian Giovinco

The obvious pick is Sebastian Giovinco - and three of our four editors are tipping the Atomic Ant to win the award for a second time in three seasons - but Giovani Dos Santos is now the central figure with the LA Galaxy, and each attacking move will flow through his feet. As such, the Mexican star will find plenty of chances to score or create, and with some solid numbers at the end of the season, Dos Santos could just earn himself the MVP nod. The individual battle between the two diminutive dynamos will be fascinating.

Golden Boot

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
David Villa Sebastian Giovinco David Villa David Villa

With Maxi Moralez in support, David Villa is set to enjoy the kind of service he has sometimes been starved of at New York City FC. The Spanish striker put much of his team's attacking efforts on his own shoulders, but now has a creative No. 10 that can play provider, finding him in space and setting him up for a strong showing in 2017. How many will he score? Let's say 24, which will only just outdo Giovinco's tally.

Rookie of the Year

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
Ian Harkes Ian Harkes Abu Danladi Abu Danladi

The heir apparent to the Harkes legacy at D.C. United, Ian Harkes is a Hermann Trophy-winning midfielder who skipped the SuperDraft and chose to join his hometown club instead of making a move to Europe. While his college peers Miles Robinson and Abu Danladi may find playing time easier to come by with their respective expansion clubs, Harkes will earn his own and thrive under Ben Olsen.

Coach of the Year

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
Greg Vanney Tata Martino Adrian Heath Greg Vanney

It's high time the Toronto FC man was given his due, because for all the Reds' talent on the pitch, Vanney has remained a consistent and reliable voice in the locker room. His task of managing a star-studded group is tougher than that of most of his peers, and while Vanney is still growing, this season will prove he is both an astute tactician and a leader his players will fight for through thick and thin.

Newcomer of the Year

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
Sebastian Blanco Romain Alessandrini Miguel Almiron Cristian Colman

Sebastian Blanco will likely turn out to be a superb signing for the Portland Timbers, and Miguel Almiron will get every opportunity to shine as the focal point of the Atlanta attack, but given the talent around him, it's hard to argue that Romain Alessandrini is in the best position to thrive. Arriving this summer from Ligue 1 behemoth Marseille, the French winger, 27, will waltz into the StubHub Center and instantly become a hit with LA Galaxy supporters.

Goalkeeper of the Year

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
David Bingham Bill Hamid Bill Hamid Stefan Frei

Coming into the 2017 campaign off the back of a performance for the ages in last season's MLS Cup final - one that included arguably the most iconic save in league history - Stefan Frei, having recovered from a sprained ankle that forced him out of the USMNT training camp in January, will continue to show off the reflexes and shot-stopping ability that helped the Sounders claim their first-ever MLS title.

Defender of the Year

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
Vadim Demidov Jelle Van Damme Laurent Ciman Jelle Van Damme

The only truly commendable signing from Minnesota United ahead of its inaugural campaign, Vadim Demidov joins an expansion team in desperate need of a defensive leader. He'll prove exactly that for the Loons, helping keep steady a side that may struggle to impose itself and allowing it to at least stand on its own two feet. Considering the constant attacking pressure Adrian Heath's side is going to be under from more talented opposition, the Norwegian central defender will have plenty of work to do, and thus get plenty of opportunities to shine this year.

Comeback Player of the Year

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
Erick Torres Erick Torres Clint Dempsey Clint Dempsey

The year was 2014 when Erick Torres last scored a goal in MLS, and a lot has changed since that time, both in the league and at the Houston Dynamo. But, reunited with his former head coach Wilmer Cabrera and supported by a rejuvenated cast of characters at the club, the man known as "Cubo" will enjoy a turnaround season, potting goals regularly enough to warrant praise.

Supporters' Shield

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
FC Dallas LA Galaxy FC Dallas Toronto FC

Oscar Pareja has built a juggernaut at Toyota Stadium. Toronto FC's unrivaled firepower makes the Reds a popular pick, but FC Dallas arguably boasts the best squad in MLS this season; young studs like Kellyn Acosta and Walker Zimmerman are surrounded by the likes of Matt Hedges and Javier Morales, the latter coming in to help offset the loss of Mauro Diaz. The Argentine star is expected to miss a significant portion of the season as he continues to recover from a torn Achilles, but if he can recapture even a portion of his pre-injury form when he returns, the rest of the league is in serious trouble. And all of that is to say nothing about newcomer Cristian Colman, who looks like one of the most exciting signings of the summer.

MLS Cup

Bedakian Chandler Lopopolo Rouse
Toronto FC  LA Galaxy  Toronto FC Toronto FC

While the aforementioned squad strength of FC Dallas is formidable, when it comes to the one-off nature of the MLS Cup final, the majority of our pickers are backing the star-studded Reds to overcome last season's heartbreak and deliver a championship to Toronto. While many other contenders have made significant changes, TFC returns its superstar core of Michael Bradley, Jozy Altidore and Giovinco, while some astute summer additions - namely Victor Vazquez - look poised to push the Canadian club over the final hurdle.

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