CHICAGO, IL (May 25, 2009) - The Chicago Fire is pleased to announce that midfielder Cuauhtémoc Blanco is among the nominees for the second edition of "Tecate Premios Deportes" (Tecate Sports Awards). Nearly 60 Hispanic athletes from six sports categories are being considered for their sportsmanship, talent and character exemplified during 2008. The winners will be revealed on June 25, 2009, in front of a live audience inside the historic Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles and broadcast on the Univision Network on July 5, 2009. This year's nominees were considered based on the athletes' statistical excellence, participation in a televised professional sport in the United States during 2008, cumulative impact on their team and in the sport, and their reputation as a role model for the Hispanic community. Winners will be selected by a distinguished panel of current and former professional athletes and sports personalities including, famed boxer Oscar de la Hoya; retired NFL player Tony Casillas; NFL Hall of Fame recipient Anthony Muñoz; former Mexican soccer coach and Univision soccer announcer Jesus Bracamontes; and Enrique Borja, legendary Mexican forward and team president of the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) Tigres.
Blanco has appeared in nine of the Fire's 10 matches, recording a goal and five assists in 2009. Last week, Blanco was called to the Mexican National Team for World Cup Qualifying matches on June 6th against El Salvador, in San Salvador, and June 10th against Trinidad and Tobago at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. He has appeared in World Cup Qualifying matches for each of Mexico's last three World Cups, scoring nine goals. Blanco has also represented Mexico in two of the last three World Cups (1998, 2002) scoring two goals through eight games played.
Fans have the opportunity to vote for their favorite athletes by visiting Univision.com. Online categories include: Baseball Player of the Year, Soccer Team of the Year, Athlete of the Year, and Rising Star Award. Furthermore, the micro site will include the latest news, videos and chats for those wanting the latest information on Tecate Premios Deportes.
Nominees in each category include:
Boxer of the Year:
1. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
2. Juan Manuel Lopez
3. Cristobal Arreola
4. Juan Manuel Marquez
5. Victor Ortiz
Soccer Player of the Year:
1. Omar Arellano, Chivas Guadalajara
2. Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire
3. Salvador Cabanas, Club America
4. Guillermo Ochoa, Club America
5. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew
All-Star Soccer Team of the Year:
Best Goal Keeper:
1. Hernan Cristante, Toluca
2. Guillermo Ochoa, Club America
3. Oswaldo Sanchez, Santos
Right Defense:
1. Carlos Bonet, Cruz Azul
2. Ivan Estrada, Santos
3. Amaury Ponce, Toluca
Right Center Defense:
1. Gerardo Espinoza, Atlante
2. Rafael Marquez, Barcelona de España
3. Paulo Da Silva, Toluca
(more)
Defensive Midfielder:
1. Eduardo Coudett, San Luis
2. Martin Romagnoli, Toluca
3. Gerardo Torrado, Cruz Azul
Offensive Midfielder:
1. Cuauhtemoc Blanco, Chicago Fire
2. Andres Guardado, Deportivo La Coruna
3. Daniel Luduena, Santos
Right Forward
1. Juan Pablo Angel, New York Red Bulls
2. Salvador Cabanas, Club America
3. Vicente Matias Vuoso, Santos
Left Forward
1. Christian Benitez, Santos
2. Hector Mancilla, Toluca
3. Guillermo Barros Schelotto, Columbus Crew
Rookie of the Year:
1. Nestor Calderon, Toluca
2. Gerardo Venegas, Atlante
3. Nestor Vidrio, Atlas
Best Coach:
1. Jose Guadalupe Cruz, Atlante
2. Jose M. De la Torre, Toluca
3. Daniel Guzman, Santos
Baseball Player of the Year:
1. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays
2. Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals
3. Manny Ramirez, Los Angeles Dodgers
4. Francisco Rodriguez, New York Mets
Auto Racer of the Year:
1. Fernando Alonso
2. Helio Castroneves
3. Steven Goldstein
4. Juan Pablo Montoya
5. Antonio Perez
Basketball Player of the Year:
1. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets
2. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
3. Emanuel Ginobili, San Antonio Spurs
4. Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors
5. Luis Scola, Houston Rockets
Football Player of the Year:
1. Robert Garza, Chicago Bears
2. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs
3. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
4. Jeff Garcia, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Luis Castillo, San Diego Chargers
Rising Star of the Year:
1. Omar Arellano, Chivas Guadalajara (soccer)
2. Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay Rays (baseball)
3. Juan Manuel Lopez (boxing)
4. Victor Ortiz (boxing)
5. Alexei Ramirez, Chicago White Sox (baseball)
6. Camilo Villegas (golf)
Athlete of the Year:
1. Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets (basketball)
2. Cuauhtémoc Blanco, Chicago Fire (soccer)
3. Tony Gonzalez, Kansas City Chiefs (football)
4. Juan Manuel Marquez (boxing)
5. Rafael Nadal (tennis)
6. Guillermo Ochoa, Club America (soccer)
7. Lorena Ochoa (golf)
8. Francisco Rodriguez, New York Mets (baseball)
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