New England Revolution midfielder Shalrie Joseph is one of three finalists for the Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player award, the league announced on Monday. Additionally, Revolution captain Steve Ralston is a finalist for the league's individual Fair Play award.
The finalists for all MLS awards earned the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, referees and members of the media. Winners for each award will be announced in the coming weeks, beginning with the Goalkeeper of the Year and Fair Play winners on Wednesday, Nov. 4. The Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player announcement is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 19.
Joseph is a finalist for the Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player along with LA Galaxy forward Landon Donovan and FC Dallas forward Jeff Cunningham. The versatile 31-year-old almost single-handedly guided the Revolution to a postseason berth with career-high marks in both goals (8) and assists (8), leading the team in both categories. This is the third time in club history that a Revolution player has been a league MVP finalist, as Taylor Twellman was a finalist in 2002 and won the award in 2005.
Ralston is up against Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller and Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad for the individual Fair Play award. Ralston committed just four fouls in 20 appearances this season before a torn right ACL ended his campaign abruptly. The veteran captain has won the award twice previously, earning the honor in 1999 and 2000 while with the Tampa Bay Mutiny.
The Revolution will visit the Chicago Fire for Game 2 of their Eastern Conference Semifinal Series on Saturday night, Nov. 7, at Toyota Park. Kickoff for the match is set for 8:30 p.m. ET, with Fox Soccer Channel's coverage scheduled to begin with a live, on-site pregame show at 8 p.m. ET. The Revolution enters the decisive second leg of the two-game, aggregate goals series with a one-goal advantage after winning Game 1 of the series, 2-1, yesterday afternoon at Gillette Stadium.
2009 Major League Soccer Awards Finalists
Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Donovan Ricketts - Los Angeles Galaxy
Zach Thornton - Chivas USA
Fair Play Finalists - Individual
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Pat Onstad - Houston Dynamo
Steve Ralston - New England Revolution
Comeback Player of the Year Finalists
Brian McBride - Chicago Fire
Ben Olsen - D.C. United
Zach Thornton - Chivas USA
Visa Defender of the Year Finalists
Geoff Cameron - Houston Dynamo
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado - Seattle Sounders FC
Chad Marshall - Columbus Crew
adidas Referee of the Year Finalists
Alex Prus
Ricardo Salazar
Kevin Stott
Rookie of the Year Finalists
Stefan Frei - Toronto FC
Omar Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy
Chris Pontius - D.C. United
Coach of the Year Finalists
Bruce Arena - Los Angeles Galaxy
Sigi Schmid - Seattle Sounders FC
Robert Warzycha - Columbus Crew
Newcomer of the Year Finalists
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Freddie Ljungberg - Seattle Sounders FC
Fredy Montero - Seattle Sounders FC
Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Finalists
Jeff Cunningham - FC Dallas
Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy
Shalrie Joseph - New England Revolution
Awards Announcements Schedule:
Schedule subject to change
Wednesday, November 4
Goalkeeper of the Year
Fair Play Award Individual & Team
Thursday, November 5
Visa Defender of the Year
adidas Referee of the Year & Assistant Referee of the Year
Friday, November 6
MLS W.O.R.K.S. - U.S. Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of the Year
Tuesday, November 10
MLS Newcomer of the Year
MLS Comeback Player of the Year
Wednesday, November 11
MLS Coach of the Year
Thursday, November 12
Rookie of the Year
Monday, November 16
MLS Best XI
Wednesday, November 18
Goal of the Year presented by AT&T
Save of the Year presented by Degree Men
Thursday, November 19
Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player
Saturday, November 21
MLS Commissioner's Award
