To recognize its best first-year player with previous professional experience, Major League Soccer will present a Newcomer of the Year award in 2007 for the first time. This honor will be bestowed annually to reward new acquisitions that do not qualify for the League's Rookie of the Year award, which is limited to players without previous professional experience.
Media members, players, coaches and general managers will vote to select the Newcomer of the Year, which will be announced in the days leading up to MLS Cup 2007 on Nov. 18 in Washington, D.C. The award is based on a player's on-field impact on his team's success.
"We have seen an extraordinary influx of new talent into the league this year," MLS Deputy Commissioner Ivan Gazidis said. "It will be very difficult for those voting to narrow the range of candidates for this new award and make only one selection."
Some of the candidates to win this year's Newcomer of the Year award (in alphabetical order) include:
Juan Pablo Angel - Forward, New York Red Bulls
Cuauhtémoc Blanco - Forward, Chicago Fire
Conor Casey - Forward, Colorado Rapids
Luciano Emilio - Forward, D.C. United
Fred - Midfielder, D.C. United
Maykel Galindo - Forward, Chivas USA
Carlos Marinelli - Midfielder, Kansas City Wizards
Guillermo Barros Schelotto - Midfielder, Columbus Crew
Juan Toja - Midfielder, FC Dallas
These players and others already have improved their respective teams, but with six weeks remaining in the regular season, more could emerge as they lead their teams in the race to the MLS Cup Playoffs.
Other postseason player awards include:
Honda Most Valuable Player
Comeback Player of the Year
VISA Defender of the Year
Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year
U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year
Budweiser Golden Boot (Top goal scorer)
Gatorade Rookie of the Year
The winners of these awards, and the Newcomer of the Year, will be honored at the Gala Awards Banquet on the eve of MLS Cup 2007.
