Week 21 Philadelphia Union MVP

With the Philadelphia Union playing great soccer but still only coming away with a draw with D.C. United, I polled the writers here at Brotherly Game to see who the MVP was.

Nick Youngstein – Tranquillo Barnetta. The goal, and restoring the faith. And, really, his fiery attitude towards staying on D.C. and not letting down.

Matt Ralph –  I would have to say Barnetta too. The goal off the free kick and his runs forward were an encouraging sign in a game with a discouraging finish.

Barry Evans – Barnetta – the free kick goal was a touch of class, showed he was thinking a few steps ahead of anyone else. It really changed the game and should have got three points. He was also far more of a #10 from the #8 spot than whoever was supposed to be #10.

Alex Klein – Can’t beat Barnetta that free kick was great especially considering how far out it was.

Trey Madara – Barnetta. I thought he held the defensive mid role pretty well. Truly reminded me a lot of Vincent Nogueira.

The vote was unanimous, and it was hard to argue. Barnetta is the one guy who the Union can count on to change the face of the game with one free kick. I also love his fiery attitude – he was jawing with D.C. United manager Ben Olson as Olson was being ejected from the match. That’s the sort of fire and leadership that has sorely been missing from the Union in their recent skid, and hopefully that will spark a turnaround for the club heading into the home stretch.

Congratulations to Tranquillo Barnetta for being the Brotherly Game Week 21 MVP.