MLS Colorado Rapids

Deshorn Brown and Dillon Powers Named Finalists for MLS Rookie of the Year

Published on November 20, 2013 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Colorado Rapids News Release


COMMERCE CITY, Colo. (Wednesday, November 20, 2013) - Rapids first-year stars Deshorn Brown and Dillon Powers have been named finalists for the Major League Soccer AT&T Rookie of the Year award, with the winner being announced on Monday, November 25. The first round selections from the 2013 MLS SuperDraft both enjoyed standout seasons as the two top attacking players on the Rapids roster, with Brown earning the team's Golden Boot award and Powers taking home club MVP honors.

The finalists for each MLS award - which also include MVP, Defensive Player of the Year, and 10 other honors - earned the most votes in polling of three voting groups:

- Current MLS players

- MLS Clubs (Coaches, Technical Directors, Chief Business Officers and PR/Community Relations)

- Media members who covered MLS regularly in 2013

The third nominee for the MLS Rookie of the Year honor is Seattle Sounders defender DeAndre Yedlin.

AT&T Rookie of the Year finalist Deshorn Brown

Rapids forward Deshorn Brown finished an impressive first MLS campaign with 10 goals in his 31 matches, the most goals for an MLS rookie since Damani Ralph set the record with 11 in 2003. He led the Rapids in goals, and he was also tied for third on the team in assists, with four. The 6th overall selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft, Brown immediately established himself in Colorado's starting lineup alongside fellow Rookie of the Year frontrunner Dillon Powers. He scored his first professional goal in the team's first match of the Subaru Rocky Mountain Cup against Real Salt Lake on March 16, and scored against the Rapids' main rivals again in the decisive third game of the series. He scored twice against Seattle on October 15, including the third-fastest goal in MLS history after just 15 seconds. Brown's performances earned him a call-up to the Jamaican National Team for the first time in October, where he played in the team's final two CONCACAF World Cup Qualifiers.

AT&T Rookie of the Year finalist Dillon Powers

Rapids midfielder Dillon Powers was the 11th overall selection in the 2013 MLS SuperDraft after an outstanding four year career at Notre Dame, but few expected him to establish himself so quickly as one of the top attacking midfielders in MLS. Excellent passing, control, vision and touch allowed Powers to earn a starting spot from the first game of the year, and the 22-year-old turned in five goals and six assists, second on the team in both categories. His goals ranged from spectacular (a 25-yard strike against Portland) to timely (a clutch early second-half goal against LA) to cagey (recognizing a slowly organizing defense to head home against Seattle), and his delivery on set pieces made the Rapids dangerous throughout games. Powers also earned the club's MVP award for showing poise beyond his years in the central attacking midfield position of Head Coach Oscar Pareja's 4-2-3-1 formation.

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