SIZING UP THE CANDIDATES | NASL Golden Ball

Photo credit: Matt May/Tampa Bay Rowdies

The NASL Golden Ball award is the most coveted individual honor, given to the league’s most valuable player. The race to The Championship, the NASL’s four-team postseason tournament, is heating up and so is the push to claim yearly awards. Here’s a look at some potential candidates to claim the Golden Ball at season’s end:

Christian Ramirez (Minnesota United) – In his three seasons in the NASL, the Loons forward has always been in the conversation, but has yet to claim the award. He’s once again leading the league in scoring – he was the Golden Boot winner in 2014 and came in second in 2015 – with 14 goals through 24 games. Ramirez has been more than just a goalscorer, adding three assists with 28 chances created.

Eamon Zayed (Indy Eleven) – In big games for Indy Eleven, the Irishman has shined, including a hat trick to clinch the club’s Spring Season title in a 4-1 win over  the Carolina RailHawks. Zayed has scored 12 times for the Boys in Blue in his first 24 games in the NASL.

Joe Cole (Tampa Bay Rowdies) – The veteran has shown the qualities that made him a three-time member of World Cup squads for England. Cole has provided magic in the middle of the Rowdies midfield, most notably a superb bicycle kick against Puerto Rico FC. In 2016, he has scored a team-leading seven goals and has five assists in 16 appearances so far.

Juan Arango (New York Cosmos) – The Venezuelan star has filled the void for retiring pair Marcos Senna and Raúl, leading the team in goals with 11. He’s played in 23 of the team’s 24 games so far and has created 33 chances, resulting in four assists.

Nazmi Albadawi (Carolina RailHawks) – Handed the captaincy ahead of the season, the local product has led by example. Albadawi has most assists in the NASL with nine, playing 19 times after missing a few games due to injury. He has also scored three goals during the year.

Outside chance: Matt VanOekel (FC Edmonton) – Ottawa Fury FC goalkeeper Romuald Peiser was in the conversation last year and, while it’s always tough for shot-stoppers to claim the award, VanOekel cannot be ignored. In 22 games, the Eddies ‘keeper has a goals against average of 0.69, has the most clean sheets with 11, is second in saves with 76, and has a save percentage of 84.44. FC Edmonton is pushing for a return to the NASL postseason for the first time since 2011 and the play of VanOekel has been a main reason why.