WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Major League Soccer announced D.C. United's Troy Perkins as the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year. With the most wins in MLS (15), Perkins topped New England's Matt Reis and Colorado's Joe Cannon for the top goalkeeping award in the League. The 25-year old's honor is the first-ever for a D.C. United goalkeeper.
"I'm a bit shocked by this announcement, but I'm really happy," said Perkins. "During preseason, I made a list of things that I wanted to accomplish on the field in 2006. Winning this award was on the list and I'm happy to check it off. That said, there are more items to strive for before the end of the year. I'd like to thank my wife for being so supportive of my career, the entire United roster for pushing me to improve on a daily basis, and the coaching staff."
Perkins established himself as one of the League's best goalkeepers after a breakout season. Starting all but two matches of the 2006 season, Perkins was among the League leaders in goals-against-average (1.13) and shutouts (eight). Three of the season's longest shutout streaks belong to Perkins, as he kept opponents at bay for stretches of 338, 247 and 243 minutes throughout the year. The Ohio native received his first ever Player of the Week award in Week 13, and was selected to his first MLS All-Star game, where he helped keep a clean sheet against English powerhouse Chelsea FC.
