New York - Major League Soccer today announced that Chivas USA's first-year coach, Preki, was voted MLS Coach of the Year after leading his club to a first-place finish in the Western Conference. Also announced today, Toronto FC midfielder Maurice Edu earned the 2007 Gatorade Rookie of the Year award after starting all 25 matches he played, logging four goals and one assist while showing poise beyond his years in a defensive midfield role.
In his first season as a head coach, Preki, 44, directed Chivas USA to their best finish in the club's three-year history. Chivas USA finished at the top of the Western Conference and were just two points behind D.C. United in the race for the Supporters' Shield. The Western Conference leaders lost only one home game at The Home Depot Center this season.
Preki, who spent the 2006 season with Chivas USA as an assistant coach under Bob Bradley, is the only two-time MLS Most Valuable Player to date. He was an eight-time MLS All-Star and is one of the most celebrated players in MLS history. Preki has been a part of MLS since its inception in 1996, playing ten seasons and earning a spot in the top ten all-time in career goals (79), assists (112), and shots on goal (323).
Preki was born in Belgrade of the former Yugoslavia and became a U.S. citizen prior to the 1998 FIFA World Cup, when he represented the United States. He took over the Chivas USA in January 2007, after Bradley left to become the U.S. Men's National Team coach. In 2006, Chivas USA finished third in the Western Conference with a 10-9-13 record. Preki led this season's Coach of the Year voting over Houston's Dominic Kinnear and D.C. United's Tom Soehn.
Edu, 21, a native of Fontana, Calif. and former Maryland Terrapin, was a dazzling performer throughout his rookie campaign. As the recipient of the 2007 Gatorade Rookie of the Year, he follows in the footsteps of some of Major League Soccer's most exciting talents. Edu also holds the distinction as the first No. 1 pick overall in the MLS SuperDraft to win Rookie of the Year honors.
Edu displayed an aggressive style of play this year and generated many shots on goal. He ranked behind only one player, forward Colin Samuel, in shots taken for Toronto FC and ranked second on the team in goals scored behind striker Danny Dichio.
Edu began the season recovering from a fractured pelvis and missed the first five games, but came back strong to start all 25 games he played. He recorded four goals and one assist from his defensive midfield role. The past three Gatorade Rookie of the Year winners - Jonathan Bornstein, Michael Parkhurst and Clint Dempsey - each used MLS to launch a career with the U.S. Men's National Team. Edu recently received his first call-up to the National Team and first career appearance.
The MLS Coach of the Year and the Gatorade Rookie of the Year winners were determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers. All first-year players in MLS without previous professional experience or who had completed their college eligibility were considered for the Gatorade Rookie of the Year award.
Gatorade Rookie of the Year Winners
2007: Maurice Edu - Toronto FC
2006: Jonathan Bornstein - Chivas USA
2005: Michael Parkhurst - New England Revolution
2004: Clint Dempsey - New England Revolution
2003: Damani Ralph - Chicago Fire
2002: Kyle Martino - Columbus Crew
2001: Rodrigo Faria - MetroStars
2000: Carlos Bocanegra - Chicago Fire
1999: Jay Heaps - Miami Fusion
1998: Ben Olsen - D.C. United
1997: Mike Duhaney - Tampa Bay Mutiny
1996: Steve Ralston - Tampa Bay Mutiny
MLS Coach of the Year Winners:
2007: Preki - Chivas USA
2006: Bob Bradley - Chivas USA
2005: Dominic Kinnear - San Jose Earthquakes
2004: Greg Andrulis - Columbus Crew
2003: Dave Sarachan - Chicago Fire
2002: Steve Nicol - New England Revolution
2001: Frank Yallop - San Jose Earthquakes
2000: Bob Gansler - Kansas City Wizards
1999: Sigi Schmid - Los Angeles Galaxy
1998: Bob Bradley - Chicago Fire
1997: Bruce Arena - D.C. United
1996: Thomas Rongen - Tampa Bay Mutiny
