MetroStars midfielder Amado Guevara was named today the 2004 Major League Soccer Honda Most Valuable Player, in a nationally televised live announcement on ESPNews from the ESPNZone in Anaheim, California. The announcement kicks off the MLS Cup 2004 weekend, which will culminate with the League's ninth championship game on Sunday, November 14 from The Home Depot Center in Carson, California. MLS Cup 2004, featuring D.C. United and the Kansas City Wizards, will be televised live on ABC Sports at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Guevara, the seventh foreign-born player to be named Honda MVP in the league's nine year history, scored 10 goals and tallied 10 assists for 30 points, tying New England Revolution forward Pat Noonan for the 2004 Budweiser Scoring Title. The Honduran international becomes the fourth consecutive Budweiser Scoring Champion, and sixth all-time, to receive the MLS Honda MVP award. Tony Meola, currently a goalkeeper with MLS Cup finalist Kansas City, was the last player to have been crowned MVP without having won the scoring title (2000).
The only MLS player in 2004 to register double figures in both goals and assists, Guevara was an integral part of a MetroStars midfield that helped engine the League's most prolific offense. The 28-year old tallied a point in 16 of the 24 games he played in, and from June 23 to August 8, registered a point in nine consecutive games (seven goals, six assists), the longest such streak in MLS since 1998.
Also the Most Valuable Player of the 2004 Sierra Mist All-Star Game, Guevara scored twice during the midsummer showcase. A perfect 6-for-6 from the penalty spot, the two-time All-Star's scoring directly contributed to five of his team's 11 victories in 2004, tallying three game-winning goals and two game-winning assists.
Guevara was selected ahead of Colorado Rapids goalkeeper Joe Cannon and D.C. United forward Jaime Moreno for the award. Cannon, who is also a finalist for the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year award, led the League in saves (150) while facing the most shots (431). He also tied for the MLS lead in shutouts with 10, and only allowed 32 goals in 30 games played. Cannon was one of only four MLS players to play every minute of every game in 2004.
Moreno, also a nominee for Comeback Player of the Year, returned to the form that saw him win Best XI honors in 1998 and 1999. After being traded back to D.C. United following one season with the MetroStars, the Bolivian international led the MLS with 14 assists and finished tied for third among the League's scoring leaders with 28 points.
Scheduled in between the two team practices on Friday, November 12 at The Home Depot Center, the annual MLS Media Luncheon will feature the announcements of the winners of the remaining annual year-end League awards (12:00 p.m. PT from The Home Depot Center Stadium Club). The 2004 MLS Best XI and Commissioner's Award will be announced on Saturday, Nov. 13 during the MLS Gala Awards Party at the Universal Studios Globe Theatre (6:30 p.m. PT).
HONDA MOST VALUABLE PLAYER AWARD
