MLS Announces 2012 Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year and Newcomer of the Year Awards

2012 Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year: Jimmy Nielsen - Sporting Kansas City

The Danish goalkeeper put together one of the best regular seasons performances in recent history in just his third year in MLS. Nielsen led League in shutouts (15 - one behind Tony Meola for the All-Time Single-Season record), wins (18), and also held the season's longest shutout streak at 414 minutes.

Sporting Kansas City's captain was one of only two players in the League to allow less than one goal per game (0.79), and he was among the leaders in save percentage at 74.2 percent.

The award was voted on by media, MLS players and MLS club management based on regular season performance. The other two finalists were Chivas USA's Dan Kennedy and Seattle Sounders FC's Michael Gspurning. Below is a breakdown of the voting for the top five candidates:

Player (Club) % of Club Votes % of Media Votes % of Player Votes Weighted Total

Jimmy Nielsen (SKC) 49.12 70.77 26.44 146.33

Dan Kennedy (CHV) 12.28 3.08 14.94 30.30

Michael Gspurning (SEA) 12.28 4.61 11.49 28.38

Nick Rimando (RSL) 8.77 4.61 4.60 17.98

Andy Gruenebaum (CLB) 3.51 9.23 4.60 17.34

2012 Newcomer of the Year: Federico Higuain - Columbus Crew

Higuain made an immediate impact for the Columbus Crew when he joined the team as a Designated Player midway through the 2012 season. In just 13 matches, he scored five goals and recorded seven assists, helping the crew turnaround their season and barely miss a berth in the MLS Cup Playoffs.

The Argentine forward began his career at the famed club River Plate in 2003 before moving to six other clubs including ColÃ"n, where he spent two seasons prior to signing with the Crew. Higuain comes from a renowned soccer family as his father, Jorge, played for several of the top clubs in Argentina and his younger brother, Gonzalo, is one of the top forwards for Real Madrid and Argentina's national team.

The Newcomer of the Year honors the player who is in his first season in Major League Soccer, but has prior professional experience, making him ineligible for Rookie of the Year honors.

The award was voted on by media, MLS players and MLS club management based on regular season performance. The other two finalists were San Jose Earthquakes defender Victor Bernardez and Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Michael Gspurning. Below is a breakdown of the voting for the top five candidates:

Player (Club) % of Club Votes % of Media Votes % of Player Votes Weighted Total

Federico Higuain (CLB) 17.24 30.77 10.99 59.00

Victor Bernardez (SJ) 18.97 9.23 23.08 51.28

Michael Gspurning (SEA) 15.52 10.77 5.49 31.78

Young-Pyo Lee (VAN) 6.90 4.61 14.29 25.80

Boniek Garcia (HOU) 12.1 4.61 7.69 24.40

AllState Goalkeeper of the Year Winners:

2012: Jimmy Nielsen - Sporting Kansas City

2011: Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC

2010: Donovan Ricketts - LA Galaxy

2009: Zach Thornton - Chivas USA

2008: Jon Busch - Chicago Fire

2007: Brad Guzan - Chivas USA

2006: Troy Perkins - D.C. United

2005: Pat Onstad - San Jose Earthquakes

2004: Joe Cannon - Colorado Rapids

2003: Pat Onstad - San Jose Earthquakes

2002: Joe Cannon - San Jose Earthquakes

2001: Tim Howard - MetroStars

2000: Tony Meola - Kansas City Wizards

1999: Kevin Hartman - Los Angeles Galaxy

1998: Zach Thornton - Chicago Fire

1997: Brad Friedel - Columbus Crew

1996: Mark Dodd - Dallas Burn

MLS Newcomer of the Year Winners:

2012: Federico Higuain - Columbus Crew

2011: Mauro Rosales - Seattle Sounders FC

2010: Alvaro Saborio - Real Salt Lake

2009: Fredy Montero - Seattle Sounders FC

2008: Darren Huckerby - San Jose Earthquakes

2007: Luciano Emilio - D.C. United

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• Jimmy Nielsen Named 2012 MLS Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year - Sporting Kansas City
• MLS Announces 2012 Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year and Newcomer of the Year Awards - MLS
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