Dallas, Texas - Major League Soccer announced today the 2004 finalists for Coach of the Year, MLS Fair Play, and U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year. FC Dallas defender Steve Jolley was one of three nominees for the U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year. The 2004 MLS Honda MVP will be announced on ESPNews on Thursday, November 11 at 3 p.m. CST, while the winners of the other awards will be unveiled at the MLS Cup Media Luncheon on Friday, November 12.
Jolley, 29, heads his own charitable foundation, "Just Jolley", which supports America Scores. America Scores is a soccer and writing program located in urban cities throughout the country. In just one year, the Just Jolley Foundation raised over $20,000 for America Scores.
Since moving to Dallas before the 2004 season, Jolley connected himself with the Dallas SCORES organization. It is the only after-school program that uses soccer to inspire literacy in public schools. With the Dallas SCORES program, Steve has helped set up and run a cleat drive in order to provide the kids of the program with the equipment necessary to play soccer. Last season, Jolley collected jerseys from the eight MLS playoff teams and auctioned the jerseys off for Dallas SCORES. Jolley has also always made himself available by leading a number of soccer clinics and player appearances.
The other two players nominated for the U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year Award are Chris Henderson of the Colorado Rapids and Jesse Marsch of the Chicago Fire.
Jolley was the second FC Dallas player nominated for a post-season award as midfielder Ronnie O'Brien is up for MLS Comeback Player of the Year. O'Brien's nomination was announced on October 25.
