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Welcome to the First Annual JERRY Awards! Photo Courtesy of LAFC vía Twitter (@LAFC) Graphics by Jerry Reynoso @official.jr4
JR4's LAFC Player of the Year Awards: First Annual JERRYs
Written by Jerry Reynoso @official.jr4
All Photos Courtesy of LAFC via Twitter and Instagram (@LAFC)
Welcome to the First Annual JERRY Awards! As the most historic season in LAFC history concludes, I present to you all my LAFC Player of the Year awards (The JERRYs) . I plan to do this annually after every season, along with some awards that you all can get involved with voting through my Instagram story. Awards such as, LAFC Midfielder/Defender of the Year, and some fan awards like Meme Page of the Year! Although, those awards are not official, unless they are JR4 Certified! So, with that, before I present to you the Official winners of the First Annual JERRYs, let’s briefly recap this unforgettable season with some notable records that have been broken:
Most Points
LAFC ended the New York Red Bull’s one year record of most points in a single season by one point after defeating the Colorado Rapids in their final regular season match, accumulating 72 points in one season. Another record and an accolade was acquired as LAFC Captain, Carlos Vela, scored a Hat-Trick that lead the Black and Gold to a 3-1 win against Colorado, a record for most goals in a single season (34 goals), and to cap it all off, Vela wins the MLS Golden Boot race, outscoring both Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Galaxy) and Josef Martinez (Atlanta United).
Most Goals and Best Goal Differential
These records taste a little better than the previous ones I’ve stated because, well, the previous record holders were the Galaxy. LAFC matched the all-time record for most goals scored in a single season with the 1998 Galaxy at 85 Goals in 34 Games (Galaxy scored 85 in 32), but LAFC’s defense was a blockbuster everyone was waiting to watch. Led by Walker Zimmerman and Eddie Segura, the Black and Gold backline only allowed 37 goals this year, breaking the Galaxy’s 98’ squad’s Goal differential record, with a +48 GD (Goal Differential).
Now that we have recapped an unforgettable year, I present to you, The JERRY Award Winners:
JERRY Award for Most Valuable Player: Carlos Vela
With 34 goals and 15 assists in 34 games, Carlos Vela was not able to get his name out of the headlines. Without a doubt, the most funnest player to watch, playing with the most funnest team to watch this season. It’s hard to say whether there will or not be a player that’ll top his form in the Black and Gold, therefore, I tell you all to cherish every time he touches the ball, because it will not be long before he is gone. Congratulations Carlos Vela on winning the JERRY for Most Valuable Player.
JERRY Award for LAFC Defender of the Year: Eddie Segura
It was hard deciding this one, but once I saw everyone vote Walker Zimmerman on my Instagram page, I had to contradict and go the other way. A player who started off as a loanee to a Multi-year signee, Eddie Segura was the best pickup LAFC had all season long, no debate needed. Segura played the most this season, gathering up first in minutes played with 2,955, and is the defense’s most disciplined player with only one yellow card. There were plenty of times Eddie cleaned up Zimmerman’s mess as well, but there’s no other backs in the league that work as great as this Dynamic Duo. One thing that separates Segura from everyone else is his vision and hustle. He was always two-steps ahead of the opposing attack, reading the opposition’s play as it unfolds, but whenever he misread, he cleaned up his mistake. Having a Center Back like that and a tall knight like Walker Zimmerman right next to him to back him up is very crucial, especially under Gaffer Bob Bradley. It is time to give credit where credit is due. Congratulations Eddie on winning the JERRY for Defender of the Year.
JERRY Award for Midfielder of the Year: Eduard Atuesta
Eduard Atuesta was very fun to watch during tape reviews this season. I wish I had his pair of eyes because his vision is amazing and very jaw-dropping, but what makes him different from everyone else is his patience. His ability to hold the ball and trust his teammates to make the proper run before executing a play is amazing. According to WhoScored.com. Atuesta made an average of 80 passes per game, and 8 of those passes lead to assists. What made this player stand-out was the assets he had around him. With the support of Mark Anthony-Kaye, Latif Blessing, and Lee Nguyen, the midfield was nothing short of Prolific this season. Congratulations Eduard Atuesta on winning the JERRY for Midfielder of the Year.
JERRY Award for LAFC Comeback Player of the Year: Mark Anthony-Kaye
After suffering a horrific ankle injury against the Galaxy late last year, MAK had an amazing bounce-back response this season. Kaye contributed well to many great chances that resulted in goals, racking up 4 Goals and 8 Assists, but one thing that caught my eye this season was his ability to create and disrupt plays in the middle. As a central midfielder, Kaye was setting up many plays that either lead to chance, a possible break in defensive pressure, or even a reset if needed, but as a so called “Defensive Anchor”, MAK’s ability to read and disrupt his opponent’s play before it happened sparked many opportunities that lead to Carlos Vela and the attack getting work done. Congratulations Mark Anthony-Kaye on winning the JERRY for LAFC Comeback Player of the Year.
JERRY Award for Most Improved Player of the Year: Latif Blessing
From being a 12th man in 2018 to finding his way into the Starting XI, Our beloved “Game Changer” in Latif Blessing had himself a year. Blessing’s 2019 season was filled with love from the 3252 and dances in front of the North End after each win, but the highlight to his season was his brace that lead to a comeback tie against cross-town rivals, the Galaxy. Despite his size, he’s a master in Aerial Duels, and his hustle cannot be matched by anyone else in the league. Congratulations Latif Blessing on winning the JERRY Award for Most Improved Player of the Year.
That’ll do it for the First Annual JERRYs. I thank you all for tuning into this write up, especially this website, as it is the beginning of something special. If you guys have not heard the special news, I have made a Special Announcement late last night. I will be joining the LAFCUniverse team as a content creator and Podcast Host of the “LAFCUniverse Show”. I am so excited to join my great friend, Owner and Founder of LAFCUniverse Connor Kalopsis, in covering this amazing club. Even though I am joining the LAFCUniverse team, it does not mean it will be the end of the LA Saga Podcast. In fact, it is just the beginning. Pretty soon, Bryan and I will be getting back together to record and continue with the show, but due to Bryan finishing up his senior year in High School, I might cover the Podcast alone, which is completely fine! NO MATTER WHAT! I have my support and he has mine, and if that is the case, then I will I be bringing you all a variety of coverage in many Los Angeles Sports team, including, Lakers Basketball, Dodgers Baseball, Kings Hockey, and so much more! Stay tuned because there is so much more to come!
You all know what to do. If you are not following me on Instagram or on Twitter, make sure to do so, unless you want to miss out on any of upcoming work (BIG THINGS COMING IN HOT!). Make sure to give us a follow on Instagram and Twitter, as well as LAFCUniverse.
What are your thoughts on my award winners? Tweet me @Official_JR4 and let me hear ya!
Oh yeah, and remember, LA is Black and Gold!
(Damn, it feels great to say that again!)