Washington, D.C. (November 2, 2009) - Major League Soccer today announced the finalists for its 2009 year-end awards. Among the finalists are D.C. United midfielder Ben Olsen - up for Comeback Player of the Year - and United midfielder/forward Chris Pontius - up for Rookie of the Year.The Comeback Player of the Year awarded will be announced on November 10, while Rookie of the Year will be revealed on November 12. The full list of finalists, as well as the announcement schedule follows.
2009 Major League Soccer Awards Finalists:
Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC Donovan Ricketts - Los Angeles Galaxy Zach Thornton - Chivas USA
Fair Play Finalists - Individual Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC Pat Onstad - Houston Dynamo Steve Ralston - New England Revolution
Comeback Player of the Year Finalists Brian McBride - Chicago Fire Ben Olsen - D.C. United Zach Thornton - Chivas USA
Visa Defender of the Year Finalists Geoff Cameron - Houston Dynamo Jhon Kennedy Hurtado - Seattle Sounders FC Chad Marshall - Columbus Crew
adidas Referee of the Year Finalists Alex Prus Ricardo Salazar Kevin Stott
Rookie of the Year Finalists Stefan Frei - Toronto FC Omar Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy Chris Pontius - D.C. United
Coach of the Year Finalists Bruce Arena - Los Angeles Galaxy Sigi Schmid - Seattle Sounders FC Robert Warzycha - Columbus Crew
Newcomer of the Year Finalists Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC Freddie Ljungberg - Seattle Sounders FC Fredy Montero - Seattle Sounders FC
Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Finalists Jeff Cunningham - FC Dallas Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy Shalrie Joseph - New England Revolution
Awards Announcements Schedule: Schedule subject to change
Wednesday, November 4 Goalkeeper of the Year Fair Play Award Individual & Team
Thursday, November 5 Visa Defender of the Year adidas Referee of the Year & Assistant Referee of the Year
Friday, November 6 MLS W.O.R.K.S. - U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year
Tuesday, November 10 MLS Newcomer of the Year MLS Comeback Player of the Year
Wednesday, November 11 MLS Coach of the Year
Thursday, November 12 Rookie of the Year
Monday, November 16 MLS Best XI
Wednesday, November 18 Goal of the Year presented by AT&T Save of the Year presented by Degree Men
Thursday, November 20 Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player
Saturday, November 22 MLS Commissioner's Award
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