Voting Opens Today for Major League Soccer’s Year-end Awards

Media members may complete online ballots for MLS’s best in 2007 

 

Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007 – Voting begins today for Major League Soccer’s prestigious annual awards, with media members able to cast their votes online at www.mlsnet.com/mls/awards/2007/vote.jsp for the best in Major League Soccer’s 2007 Regular Season.

 

Media comprise a percentage of the vote for various MLS awards that are also voted on by players, coaches, general managers and other designated team officials. Voting closes on Monday, Oct. 22 at noon ET, the day after the last game of the 2007 Regular Season. Awards announcements are scheduled to begin Oct. 31, with the Fair Play and Goalkeeper of the Year winners, and will continue through Nov. 17 at the MLS Gala Dinner, where the Best XI, Newcomer of the Year and Commissioner’s Award will be revealed.

 

The 2007 Regular Season has proven to be one of the most exciting in the 12-year history of the League, largely due to the influx of quality new players, including a talented crop of rookies and first-year players. In its first year, MLS’s Designated Player Rule allowed teams to sign higher-priced international stars and the move generated unprecedented publicity and improved the on-field product.

 

While Designated Players Juan Pablo Ángel, David Beckham, Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Denilson and Claudio Reyna have brought experience, flair and excitement, other first-year players like Luciano Emilio, Maykel Galindo, Juan Toja and Guillermo Barros Schelotto also have added a touch of class to their respective teams and the League. The impressive performances of many first-year players led to the creation of the MLS Newcomer of the Year award. This honor will go to a player who with professional experience who entered MLS this season and has made a big impact on the field for his team. Candidates for the award include New York’s Ángel, Chicago’s Blanco, D.C. United’s Emilio, Chivas USA’s Galindo, Columbus’ Schelotto and FC Dallas’ Toja.

 

Media may log into the online voting form at www.mlsnet.com/mls/awards/2007/vote.jsp and type in the user name “media” and password “online07.” Media members may cast only one ballot for the following awards:

 

2007 Major League Soccer Awards

Best XI

Coach of the Year

Comeback Player

Defender of the Year

Fair Play Award

Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year

Honda Most Valuable Player

Newcomer of the Year

Public Relations Award

OSI Referee of the Year

Gatorade Rookie of the Year

 

The awards finalists and the announcement schedule will be released on Monday, Oct. 29.  The MLS Regular Season concludes Sunday, Oct. 21, and the MLS Cup Playoffs begin on Thursday, Oct. 25 on ESPN2. MLS Cup 2007 will take place in Washington, D.C. at RFK Stadium on Sunday, Nov. 18 at Noon ET. The game will be broadcast live on ABC and Telefutura.

 

 

 

 

About Major League Soccer

Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer is the top-flight professional soccer league in the United States and features many stars from the United States and around the world. The League’s 12^th championship game, MLS Cup 2007, takes place Nov. 18 in Washington, D.C. The 13 teams in MLS are: the Chicago Fire, Colorado Rapids, Chivas USA, Columbus Crew, D.C. United, FC Dallas, Houston Dynamo, Kansas City Wizards, Los Angeles Galaxy, Red Bull New York, New England Revolution, Real Salt Lake and Toronto FC. San Jose will begin play as the 14^th team in 2008. For more information about MLS, log on to the League’s official web site at www.MLSnet.com.