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MLS Columbus Crew SC

Martino Named Rookie of the Year Finalist

October 8, 2002 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Columbus Crew SC News Release


COLUMBUS, Ohio - Major League Soccer announced today the list of finalists for nine of the league's annual year-end awards and Columbus Crew central midfielder Kyle Martino has been named one of three finalists for MLS Rookie of the Year. The winners will be announced daily from October 14 - October 19 during the build-up to the League's seventh championship match, MLS Cup 2002 on Sunday, October 20 at Gillette Stadium (1:30 p.m. ET - ABC).

"It's exciting to be up for this award with two quality players that I know personally," said Martino. "It's nice to be recognized for your performance on the field and it's a great accomplishment for myself and the goals I have set as a soccer player. I wanted to come in this year and help the team in any way possible and this is just another step in my development and where I want to be as a player."

Martino appeared in 22 of the team's 28 games, starting 15. He had two goals and five assists for nine points. The 21-year-old has also appeared in all three U.S. Open Cup matches and is the club's scoring leader with one goal and three assists for five points. In the playoffs, the crafty midfielder has one assist.

"He is certainly deserving of the award," said Crew head coach Greg Andrulis. "For him to be able to step in to an established team, in arguably the toughest position on the field, and to put his stamp on the game shows the kind of player he is. His contributions have been a big part of our success."

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.

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 other two finalists are MetroStars outside midfielder Brad Davis and Chicago Fire outside midfielder Kelly Gray.

In addition to the honors listed below, Major League Soccer will also name its Pepsi Best 11 at the League's annual Gala Awards Ceremony on Saturday, October 19 in Providence, Rhode Island. In addition to the formal presentation of all the League's year-end awards for on-field performance, MLS will also formally present its 2002 Executive Award winners at this event.

Beginning tomorrow, fans and media members will have the opportunity to select the 2002 MLS Goal of the Year, an annual award given to the player whose goal is judged to be the best overall scoring play during the regular season. Based on nominations from each of the League's players and coaches, a collection of 10 different goals from the 2002 season will be available for download at www.MLSnet.com beginning at 4:00 p.m. ET tomorrow (October 9). Voting will conclude at midnight on Friday, October 11. The winner will be announced from a list of three finalists on Thursday, October 17.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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