Three Columbus Crew SC players on Most Valuable Player ballot

Major League Soccer announced the 53-man ballot for the Landon Donovan Most Valuable Player award voting for the 2017 season on Thursday afternoon.

The list contains familiar names like Sebastian Giovinco, Kaka and Bradley Wright-Phillips, but three Columbus Crew SC players make the cut and could make some noise in the MVP voting.

Ola Kamara is nearing the end of a great 2017 campaign. The Norwegian forward tied his career high in goals (16) and did so with fewer shots on target. In his second season in MLS, Kamara has been a catalyst on offense, finding the back of the net when Crew SC need him the most.

Federico Higuain has been brilliant for Columbus this year. Coming off an injury plagued 2016 season, Higuain reinserted himself as the heartbeat of the Black & Gold offense. He currently is enjoying a productive season in which he surpassed his career high in assists (11) and is three goals away from breaking his career high in MLS.

Justin Meram has grown tremendously as a player this season. The Iraqi international was voted the team’s Most Valuable Player last year and is likely to defend that award. Meram has a career high in goals (13) as well as tallying seven assists.

Each of these players makes a strong case for the league’s Most Valuable Player, but who do you think could take the crown for Columbus?

Let us know in the comments below.