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MLS Columbus Crew SC

Crew's Martino Named Rookie of the Year

October 16, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - Major League Soccer announced today that Columbus Crew central midfielder Kyle Martino has been named the MLS Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Crew player ever so honored.

Martino appeared in 22 of the team's 28 regular-season games, starting 15, and tallied two goals and five assists for nine points. The 21-year-old then collected two assists in four MLS Cup Playoff matches, one start, as The Crew advanced to the semifinals. The crafty midfielder has also appeared in all three of The Crew's U.S. Open Cup matches, on its way to the Oct. 24 championship match vs. Los Angeles, and is the club's scoring leader with one goal and three assists for five points.

"It is truly an honor to win this award," Martino said. "It would not have been possible without my teammates and coaches and I am grateful for their support throughout the season. My goal now is to continue to improve as a player and help Columbus win a championship."

Martino was one of the most heralded young players available in the 2002 MLS SuperDraft and he is an excellent candidate to make the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team, which is made up primarily of the U-23 National Team. The 2001 ACC Player of the Year at national power Virginia as a junior, he left school a year early to sign with MLS as a member of the Nike Project-40 program. He is a current member of the U.S. Under-23 National team and a former member of the nation's U-20 and U-18 squads.

"I couldn't be happier for Kyle," said Crew head coach Greg Andrulis. "He is having a tremendous rookie season and is very deserving of this recognition. He has stepped in and played a vital role in our success this season, while playing a very important and demanding position."

In his three-year career at Virginia, the Westport, Conn., native scored 17 goals and added 21 assists while starting all 63 games in which he played. He was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 1999, then earned first-team all-ACC honors in both 2000 and 2001 and was among the 15 Hermann Trophy finalists in the latter two seasons. His collegiate career followed a remarkable prep career that was capped with the 1998 Gatorade National Player of the Year award and a place on Parade All-American team.

The MLS Rookie of the Year is awarded to a first-year professional judged to be the best young performer in the League. Only players without a previous season of professional experience and/or who are less than a year removed from the completion of their college/high school eligibility can win this award.

The other finalists for the honor were Brad Davis of the MetroStars and Kelly Gray of the Chicago Fire. Martino was selected the winner in voting by MLS coaches, general managers, players and members of the Professional Soccer Reporters Association.

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