Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan earned 2007 Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year, New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst won the MLS Fair Play award, and the Columbus Crew earned the MLS Team Fair Play award as the first three of the MLS year-end awards were announced on Wednesday in voting by media, players coaches and general managers.
Guzan, 23, in only his third year as a professional, was awarded MLS' top honor for goalkeepers after leading his club to the best record in the Western Conference (15-7-8), ranking first among goalkeepers in shutouts (13), tied for second in wins (14) and second in goals against average (0.93). Guzan's 13 shutouts rank as the second most all-time behind Tony Meola's 16 in 2000. His goals-against average was the fourth best of all-time in MLS.
The native of Homer Glen, Ill., and former South Carolina Gamecock anchored a strong defense that allowed just 28 goals in 2007, the second-best mark in MLS this season. Guzan was the regular starter in Chivas USA's inaugural season in 2005, but managed only three wins as the team opened with a 4-22-6 record. In his second year, Guzan played in 13 games and tallied a record of 3-6-4.
Guzan becomes the 10th different player to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award. Only two players have received the award more than once (Joe Cannon and Pat Onstad). He led the voting ahead of Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad and New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.
Parkhurst, a defender for the New England Revolution and the 2007 Fair Play winner, was the epitome of fair play this season. In 25 games played during the regular season, he committed only five fouls and received no cautions or red cards. Regarded by many to be one of the best center backs in MLS, Parkhurst has a remarkable ability to read the game, position himself defensively, and diffuse attacks gracefully.
Parkhurst missed the first three games of the 2007 campaign while recovering from a preseason shoulder injury, but came back strong to lead New England to the second best record in the Eastern Conference. Parkhurst was voted to the 2007 Sierra Mist All-Star team as a First XI selection and also earned his first U.S. Men's National team cap during the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
The Columbus Crew claimed the Team Fair Play award for accumulating the fewest disciplinary points during the 2007 season (272.5 points). Disciplinary points are assigned as follows: one point for each caution point received by a player, 10 points for each red card, 0.50 points for each foul committed, and a reduction of 15 points for every clean game in which a team does not receive either a yellow or red card nor has a player sanctioned by the MLS Disciplinary Committee.
MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Winners:
2007: Brad Guzan - Chivas USA
2006: Troy Perkins - D.C. United
2005: Pat Onstad - San Jose Earthquakes
2004: Joe Cannon - Colorado Rapids
2003: Pat Onstad - San Jose Earthquakes
2002: Joe Cannon - San Jose Earthquakes
2001: Tim Howard - MetroStars
2000: Tony Meola - Kansas City Wizards
1999: Kevin Hartman - Los Angeles Galaxy
1998: Zach Thornton - Chicago Fire
1997: Brad Friedel - Columbus Crew
1996: Mark Dodd - Dallas Burn
MLS Fair Play Award - Individual Winners:
2007: Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution
2006: Chris Klein - Real Salt Lake
2005: Ronald Cerritos - San Jose Earthquakes
2004: Eddie Pope - MetroStars
2003: Brian McBride - Columbus Crew
2002: Mark Chung - Colorado Rapids
2001: Alex Pineda Chacon - Miami Fusion
2000: Steve Ralston - Tampa Bay Mutiny
1999: Steve Ralston - Tampa Bay Mutiny
1998: Thomas Dooley - Columbus Crew
1997: Mark Chung - Kansas City Wizards
MLS Fair Play Award - Team Winners:
2007: Columbus Crew
2006: Kansas City Wizards
2005: Kansas City Wizards
2004: Columbus Crew
2003: New England Revolution
2002: Kansas City Wizards
2001: San Jose Earthquakes
2000: Tampa Bay Mutiny
1999: Columbus Crew
1998: Kansas City Wizards
1997: Columbus Crew
