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MLS MVP race: Giovinco, Kamara the front-runners as season winds down

Reuters

As Major League Soccer's 20th anniversary season approaches its end, the league's best and brightest stars are locked in a fierce battle for the MLS Landon Donovan MVP Award.

Let's take a look at how some of 2015's stars stack up as we approach the playoff turn.

The Clear Contenders: Sebastian Giovinco and Kei Kamara

With 22 goals so far in the season, Columbus Crew forward Kei Kamara has been an absolute goal machine for his side this season, leading the Golden Boot race all year long.

Toronto FC forward Sebastian Giovinco has kept pace with 19 goals and, combined with his 16 assists, became the most productive player in MLS history with a combined 35 points in 2015 - a new MLS single-season record.

The battle for the MLS MVP race will most likely come down to Kamara and Giovinco, but there are other contenders around the league.

The Late-Season Surprises: David Villa and Dax McCarty

New York City FC forward David Villa has been a consistent force this season, scoring 17 goals so far in 2015. It's an impressive tally for El Guaje, made even more impressive when considering that NYCFC is an expansion side and that Villa carried this team long before Andrea Pirlo and Frank Lampard arrived in the Big Apple.

On the other side of the Hudson River in Harrison, New Jersey, the New York Red Bulls boast Dax McCarty among their ranks. The American midfielder is pulling the strings of the most high-risk, high-reward playing style in MLS, as the Red Bulls bulldoze through opposition with its heavy pressure, lighting quick offensive strategy.

Let's be clear about one thing: neither NYCFC or the Red Bulls would be where they are if not for these two players. Other teams may be able to cope with the loss of a key player - these two sides cannot.

The Early-Season Fizzle-Outer: Benny Feilhaber

For much of the first half of the season, Sporting Kansas City midfielder Benny Feilhaber was the most-talked-about player in the league. His was the name dominating early MVP talks and a potential recall to the U.S. national team seemed assured.

But Sporting KC has struggled mightily in the second half of 2015, winning just one game in its last seven, and are in the danger zone in the playoff hunt.

Feilhaber's early claim for the trophy was as the league's assist leader, and he still has 14 assists to his name. But that might not be enough to stand out any more, as Giovinco surpassed him in that regard. It may be too little, too late for poor ol' Benny.

The Familiar Faces: Robbie Keane and Chris Wondolowski

The reigning MVP of MLS hasn't slowed down at the limber old age of 35, as LA Galaxy captain Robbie Keane continues scoring goals at will. With 15 goals for the season, Keane remains one of the most consistent forces in MLS, and, with a late push, could compete for recognition once again.

The same could have been said of San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski, as the Quakes mounted what looked like a season turnaround in August, winning four straight against tough opposition. But, they then went winless in four right after.

Still, Wondolowski has 15 goals to his name, and was the MVP back in 2012, so who knows? Maybe he's got 10 goals left in him in the four remaining matches of his season.

The "Why Not a Goalkeeper?" Pick: Josh Saunders

It's a thankless job, being an expansion team goalkeeper. NYCFC's Josh Saunders won't win, of course, but hey, have a shout out, at least!

Our Prediction: Sebastian Giovinco

So, who will it be? In the end, as good as many of these players have been this season, no one has been more influential to his respective team and more utterly dominant across all facets of the game as Giovinco has been for Toronto.

He scores, and he creates, of course, but he also has that extra bit of something special. Giovinco dazzles with his dizzying footwork, bamboozles defenders, and strikes free kicks with power unbecoming of his small stature.

Giovinco's record-breaking year makes the Atomic Ant the protagonist of the 2015 campaign, and our choice as the Most Valuable Player of MLS.

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