MLS Major League Soccer

MLS Announces 2012 Rookie of the Year, Xbox Individual and Team Fair Play Awards

November 19, 2012 - Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release


NEW YORK (Monday, Nov. 19, 2012) - Major League Soccer today announced the 2012 Rookie of the Year, as well as the Xbox Individual and Team Fair Play awards.

2012 Rookie of the Year: Austin Berry - Chicago Fire

A hard-nosed, blue collar defender out of the University of Louisville, Austin Berry developed into one of the top young center backs in the League. In his rookie season, Berry showcased his physical talents, skill and composure under pressure while starting 28 consecutive matches for the Men in Red, tallying three goals and contributing to the success of the Chicago Fire defense that only allowed 41 goals during the course of the 2012 campaign.

All first-year players in MLS without previous professional experience were eligible for the Rookie of the Year award, voted by media, MLS players and MLS club management based on regular season performance. The other two finalists were D.C. United forward Nick DeLeon and Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Darren Mattocks. 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

Austin Berry (CHI) 51.79 56.92 31.96 140.67

Nick DeLeon (DC) 25.00 26.15 22.68 73.83

Darren Mattocks (VAN) 7.14 4.62 14.43 26.19

Luis Silva (TOR) 10.71 1.54 7.22 18.93

Connor Lade (NY) 0 1.54 7.22 8.76

2012 Xbox Individual Fair Play Award: Logan Pause - Chicago Fire

In his 10th season with the Chicago Fire, the University of North Carolina product started 31 games for the club this year and scored one goal with only two shots on target. In 2,424 minutes played this season, Pause committed just 11 fouls and received no red or yellow cards. The other two finalists were Chivas USA defender Ante Jazic and New York Red Bulls defender Heath Pearce.

This award is selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fouls committed, cards received, games & minutes played, as well as subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.

2012 Xbox Team Fair Play Award: New England Revolution

The New England Revolution committed the second-lowest number of fouls (360) in the league in 2012. The team's 40 cautions were the league's third-lowest total, while the team's two red cards are tied for the second-lowest total in MLS. Additionally, no Revolution player served a caution accumulation suspension this year. This is the Revolution's third time winning this award as they garnered the honors back in 2003 and 2008.

The award is selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fewest fouls committed and cards received, and subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.

Rookie of the Year Winners

2012: Austin Berry - Chicago Fire

2011: C.J. Sapong - Sporting Kansas City

2010: Andy Najar - D.C. United

2009: Omar Gonzalez - LA Galaxy

2008: Sean Franklin - LA Galaxy

2007: Maurice Edu - Toronto FC

2006: Jonathan Bornstein - Chivas USA

2005: Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution

2004: Clint Dempsey - New England Revolution

2003: Damani Ralph - Chicago Fire

2002: Kyle Martino - Columbus Crew

2001: Rodrigo Faria - MetroStars

2000: Carlos Bocanegra - Chicago Fire

1999: Jay Heaps - Miami Fusion

1998: Ben Olsen - D.C. United

1997: Mike Duhaney - Tampa Bay Mutiny

1996: Steve Ralston - Tampa Bay Mutiny

Xbox Fair Play Award - Individual Winners:

2012: Logan Pause - Chicago Fire

2011: Sébastien Le Toux - Philadelphia Union

2010: Sébastien Le Toux - Philadelphia Union

2009: Steve Ralston - New England Revolution

2008: Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution

2007: Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution

2006: Chris Klein - Real Salt Lake

2005: Ronald Cerritos - San Jose Earthquakes

2004: Eddie Pope - Metro Stars

2003: Brian McBride - Columbus Crew

2002: Mark Chung - Colorado Rapids

2001: Alex Pineda Chacon - Miami Fusion

2000: Steve Ralston - Tampa Bay Mutiny

1999: Steve Ralston - Tampa Bay Mutiny

1998: Thomas Dooley - Columbus Crew

1997: Mark Chung - Kansas City Wizards

Xbox Fair Play Award -Team Winners:

2012: New England Revolution

2011: Portland Timbers

2010: San Jose Earthquakes

2009: Chicago Fire

2008: New England Revolution

2007: Columbus Crew

2006: Kansas City Wizards

2005: Kansas City Wizards

2004: Columbus Crew

2003: New England Revolution

2002: Kansas City Wizards

2001: San Jose Earthquakes

2000: Tampa Bay Mutiny

1999: Columbus Crew

1998: Kansas City Wizards

1997: Columbus Crew

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