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Taylor Graham nominated for USL-1 Defender of the Year

October 2, 2008 - USL First Division (USL-1)
Seattle Sounders News Release


(Seattle, WA)- Seattle Sounders defender Taylor Graham was chosen as a finalist for USL-1 Defender of the Year for the 2008 USL-1 regular season, it was announced by the United Soccer Leagues today.

Graham has won the award once previously in 2005, his first year with Seattle, leading the Sounders defense to their third USL Championship.

Graham scored two goals for Seattle this season, one of which was in the US Open Cup against MLS side Chivas USA. He played in 26 games for Seattle, anchoring the Sounders defense and eventually earning his third All-League selection. The Sounders surrendered eight goals in the four games he missed, nearly a quarter of the goals they surrendered all season (36).

Also nominated for the award are the Puerto Rico Islanders' Cristian Arrieta and the Atlanta Silverbacks' David Hayes. Arrieta led the Islanders defense to the best mark in the league with only 23 goals allowed; he also led the Islanders in scoring notching seven goals and two assists. David Hayes is again nominated for Defender of the Year, an award he won in 2007, scoring three goals and two assists for the Silverbacks.

In addition to Defender of the Year, the United Soccer Leagues also announced the finalists for Coach of the Year, Rookie of the Year, and Most Valuable Player. Up for Coach of the Year is Colin Clarke who lead the Puerto Rico Islanders to the Commisioner's Cup and John Limniatis who took over the last place Montreal Impact and eventually led them to a third place finish. Rookie of the Year candidates are Osvaldo Alonso (Charleston Battery), Vicente Arze (Vancouver Whitecaps), and Martin Nunez (Carolina RailHawks).

Up for Most Valuable Player in 2008 is league leading scorer Alex Afonso (Miami FC Blues), Macoumba "Mac" Kandji (Atlanta Silverbacks), and Jonathan Steele (Puerto Rico Islanders).

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