After an outstanding first season with the San Jose Earthquakes, Major League Soccer announced today that Quakes midfielder Darren Huckerby has been named the 2008 MLS Newcomer of the Year.
"Darren had phenomenal run for us right from his arrival to the team," stated Earthquakes head coach Frank Yallop. "He brought an attacking mentality to our team that helped spark us on our run for the playoffs. His experience and professionalism were also great assets to the team this year. He is very deserving of this award."
Huckerby joined the Earthquakes July 14 when the team acquired his rights from Toronto FC. The former Norwich City star immediately made an impact on the field scoring in his first two home matches. He scored six goals and notched four assists in 14 games with the Quakes and won the team's Most Valuable Player award. He also won the team's Budweiser Golden Boot award with his six goals.
The native of Nottingham scored game-winning goals against the Kansas City Wizards on Aug. 30 and D.C. United on Sept. 6. After strong month of September he was named Major League Soccer Player of the Month, scoring three goals and notching one assist in the month. In Huckerby's first eight matches with the team, the Quakes posted a 4-0-4 record, part of the Quakes league-high nine-game unbeaten streak.
The Quakes were 3-9-4 before Huckerby's arrival and finished the season with a 5-4-5 record after he joined the team. Prior to his arrival in San Jose, Huckerby played in more than 200 matches and scored 32 goals for the Norwich City Canaries between 2003 and 2008. He is a two-time Norwich City player of the year and was named to Norwich City's all-time Best XI. In his professional soccer career, which spans back to 1993, he appeared in matches for Lincoln City, Newcastle United, Millwall, Coventry City, Leeds United, and Nottingham Forest.
Huckerby becomes the second recipient of the MLS Newcomer of the Year award, introduced last year to recognize the first-year player with previous professional experience (and therefore not eligible for Rookie of the Year) who has made the biggest positive impact on his team.
The Newcomer of the Year winner is given the MLS player with the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, and members of the media.
