Sports stats



MLS New England Revolution

Revolution's Joseph, Ralston Finalists For 2009 MLS Awards

November 2, 2009 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph is one of three finalists for the Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player award, the league announced on Monday. Additionally, Revolution captain Steve Ralston is a finalist for the league's individual Fair Play award.

The finalists for all MLS awards earned the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, referees and members of the media. Winners for each award will be announced in the coming weeks, beginning with the Goalkeeper of the Year and Fair Play winners on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player announcement is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19.

Joseph is a finalist for the Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player along with LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan and FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham. The versatile 31-year-old almost single-handedly guided the Revolution to a postseason berth with career-high marks in both goals (8) and assists (8), leading the team in both categories. This is the third time in club history that a Revolution player has been a league MVP finalist, as Taylor Twellman was a finalist in 2002 and won the award in 2005.

Ralston is up against Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller and Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad for the individual Fair Play award. Ralston committed just four fouls in 20 appearances this season before a torn right ACL ended his campaign abruptly. The veteran captain has won the award twice previously, earning the honor in 1999 and 2000 while with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.

The Revolution will visit the Chicago Fire for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series on Saturday night, Nov. 7, at Toyota Park. Kickoff for the match is set for 8:30 p.m. ET, with Fox Soccer Channel's coverage scheduled to begin with a live, on-site pregame show at 8 p.m. ET. The Revolution enters the decisive second leg of the two-game, aggregate goals series with a one-goal advantage after winning Game 1 of the series, 2-1, yesterday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.

2009 MLS Awards Finalists (listed in alphabetical order)

Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists: Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC), Donovan Rickets (LA Galaxy), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)

Fair Play Finalists: Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC), Pat Onstad (Houston Dynamo), Steve Ralston (New England Revolution)

Comeback Player of the Year Finalists: Brian McBride (Chicago Fire), Ben Olsen (D.C. United), Zach Thornton (Chivas USA)

Visa Defender of the Year Finalists: Geoff Cameron (Houston Dynamo), Jhon Kennedy Hurtado (Seattle Sounders FC), Chad Marshall (Columbus Crew)

adidas Referee of the Year Finalists: Alex Prus, Ricardo Salazar, Kevin Stott

Rookie of the Year Finalists: Stefan Frei (Toronto FC), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Chris Pontius (D.C. United)

Coach of the Year Finalists: Bruce Arena (LA Galaxy), Sigi Schmid (Seattle Sounders FC), Robert Warzycha (Columbus Crew)

Newcomer of the Year Finalists: Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC), Freddie Ljungberg (Seattle Sounders FC), Fredy Montero (Seattle Sounders FC)

Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Finalists: Jeff Cunningham (FC Dallas), Landon Donovan (LA Galaxy), Shalrie Joseph (New England Revolution)

Schedule of Awards Announcements:

Wednesday, November 4

Goalkeeper of the Year

Fair Play Award Individual & Team

Thursday, November 5

Visa Defender of the Year

adidas Referee of the Year & Assistant Referee of the Year

Friday November 6

MLS W.O.R.K.S. - U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year

Tuesday, November 10

MLS Newcomer of the Year

MLS Comeback Player of the Year

Wednesday, November 11

MLS Coach of the Year

Thursday, November 12

Rookie of the Year

Monday, November 16

MLS Best XI

Wednesday, November 18

Goal of the Year presented by AT&T

Save of the Year presented by Degree Men

Thursday, November 19

Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player

Saturday, November 21

MLS Commissioner's Award

Check out the New England Revolution Statistics



Major League Soccer Stories from November 2, 2009


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.

OurSports Central