The final month of the MLS regular season provided all the drama any fan could want, with playoff spots and awards up for grabs.
It also featured some outstanding performances from individuals and five of those players are up for Etihad Airways Player of the Month for October 2015.
At the end of each month, the MLSsoccer.com editorial staff selects the five final nominees. You then vote to determine the winner. Voting for October POTM will be open until 2:00 pm ET, Wednesday, Oct. 28.
The nominees:
Fanendo Adi, Portland Timbers — The hulking striker just had his best month in a two-year MLS career, leading the Timbers to three straight wins at the end of the season. The Nigerian finished the month with 5 goals and 1 assist as the Timbers captured the No. 3 seed in the West.
Mauro Diaz, FC Dallas — Dallas captured the No. 1 seed in the West, and that had a lot to do with the Diaz. The playmaker led Dallas to an unbeaten month (4-0-1) and scored three goals, while assisting on three others.
Didier Drogba, Montreal Impact — After taking home Player of the Month honors in September, the Ivorian legend didn't slow down one bit as the Impact booked their second-ever trip to the playoffs. Drogba scored four goals in the season's final month, as the Impact won their final three games.
Ethan Finlay, Columbus Crew SC — It was another standout season for the fourth-year pro, who ended it in style. Crew SC clinched a bye past the Knockout Round with their final two wins and Finlay contributed to both: scoring the game-winner in Columbus' 2-0 victory in Toronto and then two more in Crew SC's 5-0 thrashing of D.C. United on #DecisionDay.
Sacha Kljestan, New York Red Bulls — Kljestan has been in outstanding form throughout the last half of his first season back in MLS, and that continued into October. The Red Bulls won four of their five games in the month, and the 30-year-old posted two goals and three assists.
