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Federico HiguaĆ­n Named Finalist for MLS Newcomer of the Year Award

November 15, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS - Federico HiguaĆ­n was named a finalist for the 2012 MLS Newcomer of the Year Award as Major League Soccer announced finalists for all postseason awards today. The finalists earned the most votes in polling from three groups: Current MLS Players, MLS Clubs and media members who covered the clubs regularly in 2012.

"It is an honor to be one of the finalists for the Newcomer of the Year Award, and I would like to thank the clubs, players and media who voted for me," HiguaĆ­n said. "When I came to Columbus I was able to acclimate quickly and had the opportunity to enjoy some success. I hope to be even better and do my best for the Crew in 2013."

Signed as the third Designated Player in club history on July 27, HiguaĆ­n arrived in Columbus in the middle of August and proceeded to immediately make an impact on the team. He recorded three goals and six assists in his first five matches, ending the season with a total of 13 appearances, five goals and seven assists.

The Newcomer of the Year Award will be unveiled on November 28 ahead of the 2012 MLS Cup Final. Below is a list of all the finalists and the awards announcement schedule.

2012 Major League Soccer Awards Finalists

(Listed in alphabetical order by last name within each award category)

Rookie of the Year Finalists

Austin Berry (Chicago Fire)

Nick DeLeon (D.C. United)

Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)

Xbox Individual Fair Play Finalists*

Ante Jazic (Chivas USA)

Logan Pause (Chicago Fire)

Heath Pearce (New York Red Bulls)

*Selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fouls committed, cards received, games & minutes played, as well as subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.

Xbox Team Fair Play Finalists*

Chicago Fire

Houston Dynamo

New England Revolution

*Selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fewest fouls committed, cards received, and on subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.

Defender of the Year Finalists

Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes)

Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)

Aurelien Collin (Sporting Kansas City)

MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year Finalists

Kei Kamara (Sporting Kansas City)

Michael Lahoud (Philadelphia Union)

Chris Seitz (FC Dallas)

Referee of the Year Finalists

Silviu Petrescu

Baldomero Toledo

Armando Villarreal

Assistant Referee of the Year Finalists

Ian Anderson

Gregory Barkey

Corey Parker

Coach of the Year Finalists

Ben Olsen (D.C. United)

Peter Vermes (Sporting Kansas City)

Frank Yallop (San Jose Earthquakes)

Comeback Player of the Year Finalists

Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes)

Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)

Chris Pontius (D.C. United)

Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists

Michael Gspurning (Seattle Sounders FC)

Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA)

Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City)

Newcomer of the Year Finalists

Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes)

Michael Gspurning (Seattle Sounders FC)

Federico Higuain (Columbus Crew)

Volkswagen Most Valuable Player Finalists

Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)

Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)

Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)

Awards Announcements Schedule:

Schedule subject to change

November 19: MLS Rookie of the Year, Xbox Fair Play Individual & Team of the Year

November 20: MLS Defender of the Year, MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year, and Referee/Assistant Referee of the Year

November 26: 2012 MLS Best XI

November 27: MLS Coach of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year

November 28: Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year and Newcomer of the Year

November 29: AT&T Goal of the Year, MLS Save of the Year and Volkswagen MLS MVP


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