Player Focus: Diego Valeri Staking His Claim for MLS MVP

While the Los Angeles Galaxy are seen as MLS’ flagship and most glamorous team, the Portland Timbers have taken on a contrasting identity since their expansion season in 2010.

Their growth has been organic. The Timbers haven’t had a David Beckham or a Landon Donovan to help sell replica shirts and tickets, yet unlike more illustrious MLS teams they continue to pack their home stadium, selling out JELD-WEN Field for 48 consecutive games.

The Timbers and the Galaxy clash on Sunday, and despite their polarity in ethos and personality only one point separates the two in the Western Conference, with both teams targeting MLS Cup success this year.

With the conclusion of the regular season in sight there is talk of ‘Most Valuable Player’ candidacy ahead of the Galaxy’s trip to the Pacific Northwest. But despite their glamour deficiency the Timbers won’t be outnumbered in that department when they line up against the Galaxy, because while Robbie Keane is one of the perceived favourites for the award his running mate will be dressed in forest green.

Diego Valeri has defined the Portland Timbers’ resurgence under Caleb Porter this year, marking himself out as the league’s most accomplished playmaker by quite some distance. His influence on the Timbers’ identity and style of play is unmistakable and if Porter leads his team to its first MLS Cup this year, Valeri's imprint will be all over the history books.

Such was Valeri’s immediate effect on MLS there were suggestions the Timbers would struggle to extend the Argentinean’s initial loan spell from Lanus beyond its season-long duration, but by securing him to a multi-year contract as a designated player Portland can start building a team around its playmaker.

“He fits into our team which is always very important because you could have perhaps an individual that’s very talented but doesn’t really fit into a team,” Porter explained about his midfield kingpin. “Not only does he fit into our team, but he brings that game changing ability.”

For a team that has based its game on a style of calculated, yet dynamic, passing football that some have dubbed ‘Porterball’, Valeri’s statistics on the ball are impressive and give some indication of his importance within the side.

The Argentinean leads the Timbers for key passes per game, with 2.1, and assists, with 7 for the season. The playmaker facilitates the Timbers’ attacking frontline, but his own individual stats in front of goal also hold up, and in fact Valeri sits atop Portland’s scoring column this season, tied on 8 goals with Ryan Johnson and Darlington Nagbe.

In every sense, Valeri is a hub for attacking football and is central to the style Porter has imposed on his team in his first year as coach. Even alongside players like Nagbe and Johnson, two players who have a tendency to shoot on sight, Valeri averages more shots on goal per game, with 2.5.

Valeri benefits from having a strong, midfield passing platform behind him, with Will Johnson and Diego Chara recycling and retaining possession. And indeed Valeri’s individual passing statistics pale in comparison, making an average of just 38.8 per game compared to Chara’s 53.2 and Johnson’s 52.9.

But as a playmaker this only serves to emphasise Valeri’s role within the Timbers’ set-up. When he has possession Valeri makes best use of it.

Valeri’s creativity, and more importantly productivity, is all the more impressive when you consider how he has been playing below full match fitness for much of the season. Most recently Coach Porter has restricted the 27 year old’s playing time this year due to a persistent groin injury picked up in the 4-2 defeat at Real Salt Lake last month. The prospect of a fully fit Valeri heading into the playoffs is a formidable one for MLS opposition.

In just one season, and 27 appearances, Valeri has prompted comparisons to some of MLS’ all-time greats. “He’s a fantastic player that I would say has to go down as one of the best players this league has ever seen,” gushed Real Salt Lake coach Jason Kreis earlier this year. “He’s special, but he’s so humble it’s ridiculous for as good as he is,” his teammate Johnson piled on.

After equaling the league’s scoring record for a season Chris Wondolowski was the obvious choice for MLS MVP last year. However, this term the race is a more open contest. Valeri and Keane are enjoying prolific seasons, but Mike Magee and Marco Di Vaio have also made strong cases.

But if the MVP accolade is to be awarded to the player who has made the most profound impact on MLS and his team this season, Valeri boasts the strongest claim.

Is Valeri MLS' Most Valuable Player?  Tell us your thoughts in the comments below