BRIDGEVIEW, Ill. - Chicago Fire attacker Cuauhtémoc Blanco has been selected as one of three finalist for the Major League Soccer 2007 Honda MVP Award, scheduled to be announced today live on ESPNews at 3:00 p.m. CT. The announcement marks the fourth consecutive year that ESPNews has carried the live presentation of the Honda MVP award. The event will be hosted by The ESPN Zone in Washington, D.C. host city of MLS Cup 2007.
The three Honda MVP finalists follow (in alphabetical order):
Juan Pablo Angel (New York Red Bulls) - The Colombian striker was a terror to defenses as he scored 19 goals in 24 games this season. The first-year player recorded five multi-goal games and helped lead the Red Bulls to the playoffs. He came to MLS from Aston Villa of the English Premier League as one of the League's first crop of Designated Players.
Cuauhtémoc Blanco (Chicago Fire) - One of the most loved soccer players in Mexico came to the League as Chicago's Designated Player and set the League ablaze with his play for the Fire. With four goals and seven assists across 14 regular season games played, Blanco helped turn the season around for the Fire, leading them to the playoffs and Eastern Conference Championship game.
Luciano Emilio (D.C. United) - The Brazilian born Emilio was the 2007 Budweiser Golden Boot winner, as the League's leading goal scorer. He tallied 20 goals in 28 games, tied Angel for the most multi-goal games and helped lead D.C. United to its second consecutive Supporters' Shield trophy. Emilio is the first MLS player to reach the 20 goal mark in one season since 2002, when current FC Dallas forward Carlos Ruiz scored 24 goals for the Los Angeles Galaxy and Twellman scored 23 for New England.
HONDA MLS MVP AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT
WHAT: Honda MLS MVP Award announcement
WHEN: Thursday, November 15, 2007 - Approximately 3:00 p.m. CT
WHERE: Schedule to air live on ESPNews from The ESPN Zone, 555 12th St., NW, Washington, D.C.
WHO: ESPN's Allen Hopkins to present the trophy to the 2007 Honda MVP
