2019 MLS MVP Odds: Martinez Opens as Favorite

• 2018 MLS MVP Josef Martínez is a favored to once again take home the award in 2019
• LA’s Zlatan Ibrahimović was named a finalist last year and has his sights set on a big year himself
• Will either win MVP or is there better value elsewhere?

After a 31-goal performance and an MLS Cup title in 2018 saw Atlanta United’s Josef Martínez win MLS MVP, the Venezuelan is favored to take home the award again in 2019. The Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimović is not far behind in the odds as second-favorite.

2019 MLS MVP Odds

*Odds taken on 02/28/19

In 2018 the finalists for the Landon Donovan MLS Most Valuable Player Award were: Martínez (ATL), Ibrahimović (LA), Miguel Almirón (ATL), Wayne Rooney (DC), and Carlos Vela (LAFC).

Martínez scored ten game-winning goals last year, while adding six assists. He scored four more goals during the postseason. Martínez was a full nine goals ahead of the Galaxy’s Ibrahimović, making him a clear choice for the award.

Martínez feels well at home in Atlanta and signed an extension this offseason for another five years.

Josef Martinez happy to commit to ATL via extension: "This is my Barcelona" https://t.co/omDAmjm8So pic.twitter.com/Sx7X9u4OAl

— Kingston United (@kingstonutd) January 17, 2019

Back playing for the MLS Cup contenders, Martínez should be in the running for MLS MVP once again. He took the tenth-most shots in the league last year at 97 and put an incredible 57.7-percent on goal.

Martinez took the tenth-most shots in the league last year at 97 and put an incredible 57.7-percent on goal.

Though LA’s Ibrahimović looks to be Josef’s main competition for the awards based on the odds, Josef may have to compete with a teammate and another Martínez for MVP honors.

With the pending (and now complete) transfer of Miguel Almirón to Newcastle, Atlanta signed another Martínez in January.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=80&v=sqRJilUQbI4

Gonzalo “Pity” Martínez joins the Five Stripes from River Plate of the Argentine Primera División. Pity won the Copa Libertadores with River, while also being named Argentine Player of the Year and South American Footballer of the Year in 2018.

Zlatan Promises to Break Records

Joining the Galaxy early last season and finishing his first MLS year with 22 goals, second to only Josef Martínez wasn’t enough for the Swede. Ibra was quoted earlier this month as saying he will “break every record in the MLS this season.”

While I’m not going to doubt his capabilities, he will turn 38 this year and the Galaxy don’t look a whole lot better than last year’s team that failed to make the playoffs.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic officially named Captain of the #LAGalaxy pic.twitter.com/OPSnIDjpI5

— The Squadcast (@Squadcast96) February 26, 2019

One surprise addition among the favorites for MLS MVP is Orlando City’s Nani.

The Portuguese international was signed from Sporting CP of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on February 18th. The 32-year-old signed a three-year DP contract in Orlando.

Portugal's Nani agrees to three-year contract with MLS club Orlando City.https://t.co/H4sPOJAmXQ

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) February 18, 2019

He brings tremendous experience to the Lions having won four English Premier League championships as well as the 2008 Champions League title while at Manchester United. He’s also won two Taça de Portugal (Portuguese Cup) titles with Sporting and won the Euro Cup with Portugal in 2016.

While Nani will surely be counted on heavily in Orlando, the Lions have been nothing short of a disaster finishing seventh, eighth, tenth and 11th respectively in their four years in MLS.

Nani will have to work miracles to be in the MVP conversation. He’s also never scored more than nine goals in any one league season during this career.

Best Bet for MLS MVP

The most intriguing option to me has to be DC’s Wayne Rooney. Rooney arrived late to the MLS show last season from Everton and only played in 20 games. However he finished tied for 14th in league goals last year at 12.

Rooney took a few games to get going on the score sheet, but his presence was immediately felt as DC rebounded in the second half of the season to reach to the playoffs. Rooney scored eight goals over his final seven regular season games.

With a full season ahead of him on what’s expected to be an improved DC side, Rooney should be in the running once again for MVP honors.

MLS MVP Best Bet: Wayne Rooney +650