Sporting Kansas City Forward C.J. Sapong Named 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year
Published on November 8, 2011 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK - Major League Soccer today announced that Sporting Kansas City forward C.J. Sapong has been named 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year. Sapong appeared in all 34 of Sporting's regular season games and helped the club to a first-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
The 22-year old forward scored five goals, tied with Houston Dynamo forward Will Bruin for the most in among rookies this season, and Sapong added five assists in his first professional season. Sapong, a native of Manassas, Virginia, becomes the first Kansas City player to win MLS Rookie of the Year honors.
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. The other two finalists were D.C. United defender Perry Kitchen and Philadelphia Union midfielder Michael Farfan. 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
C.J. Sapong (SKC) 34.04 41.99 30.25 106.28
Perry Kitchen (DC) 13.83 12.71 8.02 34.56
Michael Farfan (PHI) 11.70 8.84 12.96 33.50
Darlington Nagbe (POR) 7.45 7.73 13.58 28.76
Will Bruin (HOU) 10.64 9.39 7.41 27.44
Sapong, selected with the tenth overall pick in the 2011 MLS SuperDraft out of James Madison University, earned immediate playing time in his first season, and remained a staple of Sporting KC's attack. He was the only Sporting player to appear in every game, and made 22 starts in his inaugural campaign. The former Colonial Athletic Association player of the year also finished second on his team in assists (5), and shots on goal (25).
After starting the season with a 10-game road trip and a 1-6-3 record, Sporting KC made dramatic turn-around to finish first in the Eastern Conference standings. Sapong scored one goal in the MLS Cup Playoffs as Sporting Kansas City reached the Eastern Conference Championship match.
MLS Rookie of the Year Winners
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
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- Sporting Kansas City Forward C.J. Sapong Named 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year - Sporting Kansas City
- Sporting Kansas City Forward C.J. Sapong Named 2011 MLS Rookie of the Year - MLS
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