Given annually by a waggish group of soccer writers since the dawn of MLS, the annual Jerry Tamashiro Award is a reward not just for futility, but colossal waste as well.

Ideally, a winner of the Tamashiro should hog as much roster space and cap room as possible, while giving back infinitesimally. As such, it is a reflection not just of the player, but of the acumen of the men who deigned to sign them in the first place as well. (Ironically, Charlie Stillitano is the sole holder of the special Lifetime Tamashiro Achievement award. Go figure.)

The Tamashiro award, named after an infamous Miami Fusion signing, and lovingly crafted by Timo Shivets of Gary's Gems, Guns and Pawn, depicts a nude Tamashiro stepping off the pitch and into the abyss. Past recipients of this award have followed the statue's path: Men as gifted as Doctor Khumalo, John O'Brien (2006's winner!) and Lothar Matthaus; and men as anonymous as Vuk Rasovic, Mandi Urbas and the epynonymous Mr. Tamashiro have all come, cashed their checks and then waved goodbye with a dizzy turn of foot. If only they had demonstrated those skills on the field.

This year, the clear early leader for the Tamashiro was one Mr. David Beckham of the Los Angeles Galaxy. He brought it all to the table: A dazzling contract, a total lack of playing time, and the spectacular collapse of his franchise - all in a single season.

It's tough to beat that, but men did try. There was Pascal Bedrossian of the Chicago Fire, who inexplicably hung around for two seasons and played about as many games in that span. New York's Claudio Reyna would have won (especially after limping off the field in a key playoff game on November 3rd in the 26th minute) but he played too often to seriously be considered. Dallas wasted a great deal of cash on Shaka Hislop and only corrected their mistake after watching the enfeebled keeper give up nine goals in six games.

Colorado provided us a host of contenders: faded Mexican star Daniel Orsono, manged to suck up a spot... and played just 55 minutes over three games. Conor Casey, managed to do nothing for two MLS clubs in one season, but he actually did score twice. Yherland McDonald, a Costan Rican international, was signed with pomp ... and then disappeared.

But the winner, by a mile, is Luis Tejada, the 2005 Gold Cup MVP. The Panamanian international who played just two minutes for Real Salt Lake in what may be the least effective MLS career of all time.

RSL's media guide described "El Matador" among the "brightest talent in the CONCACAF region," and former coach John Ellinger praised Tejada as "[having] the size and speed, is extremely technical, and he finishes."
Well, the last part of that sentence could be true.

Fans: Who would you nominate?