Timbers Midfielder Rodney Wallace Named 2014 MLS Comeback Player of the Year
Published on December 2, 2014 under Major League Soccer (MLS)
Portland Timbers News Release
PORTLAND, Ore. - Major League Soccer today announced Portland Timbers midfielder Rodney Wallace as the 2014 Comeback Player of the Year.
The award, which honors a player who has successfully overcome a significant hardship during the year, was voted on by media, MLS players and MLS club management based on regular-season performance.
Wallace, 26, missed the first 16 regular-season matches of 2014 while recovering from offseason knee surgery. The midfielder registered five goals and one assist in 17 appearances (12 starts) this season for the Timbers after successfully returning from a knee injury sustained in the second leg of the 2013 MLS Western Conference Championship against Real Salt Lake on Nov. 24, 2013. Making his regular-season debut on June 27 against Sporting Kansas City, Wallace appeared in 17 of the team's 18 remaining matches, logging 1,058 minutes and tallying three goals in back-to-back victories over San Jose in October.
Wallace is the first Timbers player to earn the Comeback Player of the Year award in the team's MLS era.
The other finalists for the 2014 Comeback Player of the Year included forward Charlie Davies (New England Revolution) and goalkeeper Stefan Frei (Seattle Sounders FC). Below is a breakdown of the voting for the top four candidates:
Player (Club) % of Club Votes % of Media Votes % of Player Votes Weighted Total
Rodney Wallace (POR) 19.59 16.28 28.15 64.02
Charlie Davies (NE) 18.29 16.28 25.40 59.97
Stefan Frei (SEA) 21.95 24.42 8.01 54.38
Chris Pontius (DC) 12.19 12.79 13.04 38.02
MLS Comeback Player of the Year Winners:
2014: Rodney Wallace - Portland Timbers
2013: Kevin Alston - New England Revolution
2012: Eddie Johnson - Seattle Sounders FC
2011: David Beckham - LA Galaxy
2010: Bobby Convey - San Jose Earthquakes
2009: Zach Thornton - Chivas USA
2008: Kenny Cooper - FC Dallas
2007: Eddie Johnson - Kansas City Wizards
2006: Richard Mulrooney - FC Dallas
2005: Chris Klein - Kansas City Wizards
2004: Brian Ching - San Jose Earthquakes
2003: Chris Armas - Chicago Fire
2002: Chris Klein - Kansas City Wizards
2001: Troy Dayak - San Jose Earthquakes
2000: Tony Meola - Kansas City Wizards
Major League Soccer Stories from December 2, 2014
- Bradford Jamieson IV Called in to U.S. MNT U-20 - LA Galaxy
- For Tierney, MLS Cup Appearance is Culmination of Seven-Year Journey - New England Revolution
- New York Red Bulls Announce Contract Options Not Being Exercised - Red Bull New York
- Fifth MLS Cup Trip Has Revs Back in Business - New England Revolution
- Lee Nguyen Named to MLS Best XI - New England Revolution
- Gall Called-Up for U.S. U-20 Men's National Team - Columbus Crew SC
- Moments of the Year: Black & Gold Complete Historic Comeback in Philly - Columbus Crew SC
- Thierry Henry and Bradley Wright-Phillips Named to 2014 MLS Best XI - Red Bull New York
- FC Dallas Announces Roster Moves Ahead of 2014 Expansion Draft - FC Dallas
- Robbie Keane, Landon Donovan and Omar Gonzalez Named to MLS Best XI - LA Galaxy
- Orlando City Defender Tyler Turner Called up by U-20 U.S. Men's National Team - Orlando City SC
- Chad Marshall and Obafemi Martins Named to 2014 MLS Best XI - Seattle Sounders FC
- Earthquakes Forward Tommy Thompson Called to United States U-20 Duty for Fitness Camp - San Jose Earthquakes
- Legends, Young Talents, International Stars and Cornerstone Veterans Make up 2014 MLS Best XI - MLS
- D.C. United's Bill Hamid and Bobby Boswell Selected to 2014 MLS Best XI - D.C. United
- Timbers Midfielder Diego Valeri Named to 2014 MLS Best XI - Portland Timbers
- Crew SC Re-Signs Midfielders Bernardo Anor and Justin Meram - Columbus Crew SC
- Colorado Rapids Head Coach Pablo Mastroeni Visits Middlesbrough - Colorado Rapids
- Crew SC Re-Signs Midfielders Bernardo Anor and Justin Meram - Columbus Crew SC
- Chicago Fire Sign Kennedy Igboananike - Chicago Fire FC
- Orlando City SC President Phil Rawlins Voted into USL PRO Hall of Fame - Orlando City SC
- Chicago Fire Soccer Club & the PrivateBank Announce Strategic Multi-year Partnership - Chicago Fire FC
- Ben Olsen Named Major League Soccer Coach of the Year - D.C. United
- After Taking D.C. United to Top of the East, Ben Olsen Named 2014 Coach of the Year - MLS
- Timbers Midfielder Rodney Wallace Named 2014 MLS Comeback Player of the Year - Portland Timbers
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