D.C. United defender Bobby Boswell and FC Dallas midfielder Richard Mulrooney were named the MLS Defender of the Year and MLS Comeback Player of the Year respectively by Major League Soccer today. The League also announced that veteran referee Brian Hall was chosen as the Official Sports International (OSI) Referee of the Year.
Boswell, 23, won the MLS Defender of the Year award only a year after entering the league in 2005 as an un-drafted player. The award caps off a strong individual year for Boswell, as he was selected to start the MLS All-Star game and he started and played every minute in 30 games for D.C. United helping the Black-and-Red concede less than three goals in all but three matches. D.C. United allowed the third fewest goals (38) during the 2006 MLS season. Boswell helped lead United to the best record in MLS for which they were awarded the Supporters' Shield Trophy. He led the voting ahead of Kansas City Wizards defenders Jose Burciaga Jr. and the 2005 MLS Defender of the Year Jimmy Conrad.
Mulrooney, 29, an FC Dallas midfielder, claimed the MLS Comeback Player of the Year award. In May 2005, Mulrooney suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season and the beginning of this season. He returned in 2006 to make his first start nearly one year to the day that his injury occurred, and has registered 23 starts with nine assists and a goal. Mulrooney has made appearances in the 2002, 2004 and 2006 MLS All-Star games and was a Rookie of the Year candidate in 1999. He led the voting ahead of Chicago Fire midfielder Chris Armas and D.C. United forward Alecko Eskandarian.
Hall was awarded the OSI Referee of the Year for the second year in a row. The California native and former World Cup referee has now won the award three times (2003, 2005 and 2006). He led the voting ahead and Michael Kennedy and Ricardo Salazar.
The MLS Defender of the Year and the MLS Comeback player of the Year winners were determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers. All defenders on MLS rosters during the 2006 season were eligible for the Defender of the Year award. Teams nominated their candidates for Comeback Player of the Year. The OSI Referee of the Year was determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players, MLS coaches and general managers and MLS referees.
MLS Defender of the Year Winners:
2006: Bobby Boswell - D.C. United
2005: Jimmy Conrad - Kansas City Wizards
2004: Robin Fraser - Columbus Crew
2003: Carlos Bocanegra - Chicago Fire
2002: Carlos Bocanegra - Chicago Fire
2001: Jeff Agoos - San Jose Earthquakes
2000: Peter Vermes - Kansas City Wizards
1999: Robin Fraser - Los Angeles Galaxy
1998: Lubos Kubik - Chicago Fire
1997: Eddie Pope - D.C. United
1996: John Doyle - San Jose Earthquakes
MLS Comeback Player of the Year Winners
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
OSI Referee of the Year Winners:
2006: Brian Hall
2005: Brian Hall
2004: Abiodun 'Abbey' Okulaja
2003: Brian Hall
2002: Kevin Terry
2001: Paul Tamberino
2000: Paul Tamberino
1999: Paul Tamberino
1998: Paul Tamberino
1997: Esse Baharmast
