Justin Mapp is a former all-star and US international player, but in recent years, a streak of injuries has kept him from the form that saw the midfielder win the Gold Cup in 2007 and earn a Best Xl nod in 2006. But 2013 has been a return to form for Mapp, whose been discussed by pundits as a serious contender to return to his national team side under Jurgen Klinsmann.
Here are three reasons why Mapp should be in Kansas City for the 2013 MLS All-Star game:
MVP-material
Although it’s outside of the MLS regular season play, Justin Mapp was named the George Gross Memorial Trophy winner as MVP of the 2013 Amway Canadian Championship with a dominant performance, leading his team to the Voyageurs Cup with one goal and two assists on the way to becoming the top team in Canada and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions League – a first for the club since 2008-2009.
Dominant force
In 2013, he’s scored two goals and four assist (tied for 5th in the league), and has been a dominant force in his nine starts this season, including a nod as Top Performer of the Week for week 10 for his two goal performance in a 2-2 draw on the road against the San Jose Earthquakes.
Big game experience
He’s already played against Real Madrid in the 2006 All-Star game. He was a starter for the Voyageurs Cup title game in 2013 and the US Open Cup championship game for the Chicago Fire in 2006. His calm demeanour and timely decision-making make him a secret weapon for the MLS in a game against a big club from Italy in AS Roma.
