MLS has announced the finalists for its array of year-end awards
Honda Most Valuable Player
Finalists — Marco Etcheverry (D.C. United), Cobi Jones (Los Angeles Galaxy), Piotr Nowak (Chicago Fire). The MVP is awarded to “the player whose presence made the biggest impact on his team’s overall play during the regular season.”
BIC Defender of the Year
Finalists — Robin Fraser (Los Angeles Galaxy), Lubos Kubik (Chicago Fire), Eddie Pope (D.C. United). This award is open to field players only, and will honor the best defender during the regular season.
Pepsi Goalkeeper of the Year
Finalists — Mark Dodd (Dallas Burn), Tony Meola (MetroStars), Zach Thornton (Chicago Fire). Awarded to “the best all-around keeper during the regular season, based on technical skill, statistical ranking and overall leadership.”
AllSport Coach of the Year
Finalists — Bruce Arena (D.C. United), Bob Bradley (Chicago Fire), Octavio Zambrano (Los Angeles Galaxy). Awarded to the coach judged “to have made the greatest contribution to his team during the regular season.”
Bandai Rookie of the Year
Finalists — Ben Olsen (D.C. United), Andy Williams (Columbus Crew), Josh Wolff (Chicago Fire). Awarded to “the best young performer who has no prior professional soccer-playing experience and/or has completed his college or high school eligibility within the last year.”
Snickers Fair Play Award
Finalists — Mark Chung (Kansas City Wizards), Thomas Dooley (Columbus Crew), Piotr Nowak (Chicago Fire). The Snickers Fair Play Award consists of two honors: one to the individual “regarded as the league’s best sportsman” and the other to the team which earned the fewest yellow-card penalty points during the regular season.
Umbro Referee of the Year
Finalists — Brian Hall (Morgan Hill, Calif.), Noel Kenny (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y.), Paul Tamberino (Monkton, Md.) Formerly known as the Umbro Golden Whistle Award, this honor goes to the referee “whose performance throughout the season is judged the best overall by MLS coaching staffs and GMs.”
MasterCard Goal of the Year
Finalists — Damian Alvarez (Dallas Burn), Brian McBride (Columbus Crew), Jaime Moreno (D.C. United).
Budweiser Scoring Champion
Winner — Stern John (Columbus Crew). This award is given annually to the player with the highest point total in the league. John (26 goals and 5 assists for 57 points) edged out Cobi Jones (19-13-51) for the honor.
AT&T Best Eleven
These eleven “All-League” players will be announced Oct. 24.
Front Office Finalists
Executive of the Year
Finalists — Dan Counce (Colorado Rapids), Kevin Payne (D.C. United), Peter Wilt (Chicago Fire).
Marketing Executive of the Year
Finalists — Jodi Benefiel (Dallas Burn), Steve Pastorino (Chicago Fire), Steven Zack (D.C. United).
Operations Executive of the Year
Finalists — Ed Austin (Tampa Bay Mutiny), Joe Cummings (New England Revolution), Paul Mott (Dallas Burn).
PR Director of the Year
Finalists — Rick Lawes (D.C. United), Adam Low (Chicago Fire), Jeff Wuerth (Columbus Crew). These awards will be announced on Oct. 23.
