Lee Nguyen Loses Out On MVP to Robbie Keane

Eighteen goals, five assists, second place in the Eastern Conference, and a playoff berth were not enough. Robbie Keane was named the MLS Most Valuable Player, to the disappointment of New England Revolution fans everywhere, as Lee Nguyen's dream season goes without the league's highest individual honor.

Keane beat out Nguyen and Obafemi Martins, who ended up being the second-highest vote-getter when club, player, and media votes were tallied and weighted. Nguyen actually came in third place in the total voting, behind Keane and Martins.

By no means is Keane's resume unimpressive. In 29 matches, he racked up 19 goals and 14 assists, both personal highs for his career in MLS. It just came on a team studded with top-level MLS talent - Keane played alongside two other MLS Best XI selections. For roughly two-thirds of the season, Nguyen was the single driving force in any Revolution successes, and a lone bright spot during the long winless streak.

Keane was important to his team, but Nguyen was irreplaceable.

Nguyen was actually second in club votes, but placed third in player and media votes.