The MLS Rookie of the Year race is heading down its back corridor as the season slips closer toward the postseason. The race has been Harry Shipp’s to lose since the opening weeks of the year, but is a chaser closing the gap at his back? A look at the TopDrawerSoccer.com MLS Rookie of the Year Rankings for August.
1. M Harrison Shipp, Chicago Fire
Last update: #1
Numbers: 6 goals, 5 assists in 21 games (18 starts)
Notes: There’s rarely been any doubt about Shipp’s nearly unassailable position atop these rankings, but a small sliver of wonder has begun to creep into the equation. Though it’s been more than a month since he’s scored, and he’s only had one assist in that frame, Shipp’s influence and deserved spot in the XI makes him one of the most indispensable rookie midfielders in some time. By this time in the season, it’ll take something special for another rookie to knock Shipp off his pedestal. Can Tesho Akindele do it? While Chicago has hit a rough patch of late, Shipp’s done as much as humanly possible to firm up a leaky midfield and add some attacking gravitas. Unfortunately for Shipp, the Fire may simply not have the horses around him to keep up.
