SECAUCUS, NJ- The Red Bull Academy announced its 2009 Players of the Year today for each of its five squads. The award winners were chosen after careful deliberation among the academy staff.
Ryan Kinne won the U20s' Player of the Year award after helping the Red Bulls win the 2009 U20 National Champion when they defeated the Chicago Fire, 2-1, in the final. Kinne, who is currently a junior at Monmouth University, was named to the U20 All-Tournament Team at the National Finals, scoring four goals. He tallied 12 goals during the course of the entire season.
The U18s' Player of the Year was forward Giorgi Chirgadze, who joined the Red Bulls' First Team on Sept. 11, 2009 and became the first Academy product to sign a professional contract with the club. Despite missing half of the season due to injury, Chirgadze was the U18s' leading goal scorer. The Brooklyn, NY native was affiliated with the Red Bull Academy for four years.
Victor Manosalvas took home the U16's Player of the Year award, leading the Red Bulls to the Northeast Conference regular season title and the USDA National Finals. The U16s posted a 24-6-7 record and Manosalvas led the team with 14 goals and 11 assists. He was on the USDA All-East Conference Starting 11.
Midfielder Adam Najem won the U15 Player of the Year despite playing in an advanced age bracket. Najem was selected for both the U14 and U15 U.S. Youth National Teams during the 2009 season.
In his first season with the Red Bulls, goalkeeper Santiago Castano, the U14s' Player of the Year, became a key player in between the pipes. His performances were rewarded with call-ups to the U14 and U15 U.S. Youth National Teams.
For more information on the Red Bulls Academy, log onto www.redbullsacademy.com.
Full Season Ticket Plans for the New York Red Bulls' first season at the brand new Red Bull Arena, in Harrison, NJ, are on sale now. Midfield seats in the 100-Level are already sold out, but good seats are still available. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 1.877.RBSOCCER or log onto www.newyorkredbulls.com.
