WASHINGTON, D.C. - Four D.C. United players, along with coach Peter Nowak, have been named as finalists for Major League Soccer's season awards. United's inspirational playmaker Christian Gomez has been short-listed for the Honda MLS Most Valuable Player award, and head coach Peter Nowak is selected as an MLS Coach of the Year nominee. Other members of the Black-and-Red up for awards include Alecko Eskandarian (Comeback Player of the Year), Troy Perkins (Goalkeeper of the Year), and Bobby Boswell (Defender of the Year).
With five finalists nominated in five different categories for the year-end awards, United are represented more than any other MLS team.
Additionally, of the 34 goals up for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year, United put seven on the ballot - tied for the most with Real Salt Lake. The first round of voting for the Goal of the Year began today on mlsnet.com and will conclude on October 25. The voting process includes three rounds and the winner will be announced on November 10.
The Goalkeeper of the Year award will be the first honor handed out, with the winner to be announced on October 19. The Defender of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year honors will be awarded on October 24, followed by Coach of the Year honors on October 31. The Most Valuable Player award winner will be announced on November 9.
Already honored as the Team's Most Valuable Player, Gomez was at the heart of the League's most potent attack force. The Argentine finished the year with 14 goals, tied for second-best in the League, and 11 assists, tied for tops in the League. Both numbers were MLS career highs for Gomez. On two occasions this season, Gomez was named the MLS Player of the Week: first in Week 23, for his two goal performance against Chivas USA and again in Week 26, when he hit for a goal and two assists against New York. The midfielder also claimed his first Sierra Mist Goal of the Week award, for a stunning left-footed volley against Los Angeles on June 11.
After a much decorated playing career, Nowak took charge of the Black-and-Red in 2004, and immediately saw unprecedented success for a first-year head coach, taking United to their fourth MLS Cup title. This season, Nowak led United to a 15-7-10 record, good enough to top the Eastern Conference and take home the team's third Supporters' Shield trophy. He also led the team to a 14-match unbeaten streak between May 1 - June 29: the longest such streak in team history. In Nowak's three-year tenure, the Black-and-Red hold a combined record, including postseason matches, of 46-28-26.
After missing most of last season with a concussion, Eskandarian returned to top form this season, scoring seven goals, including a thunderous volley that led United's comeback against New York in the season opener. The former UVA product also landed Goal of the Week honors for his angled, first-time volley against Kansas City on May 13. Eskandarian scored United's only goal in its 1-1 draw against Real Madrid as well, drilling a low, first-time shot into the net past Iker Casillas. In August, the striker was named to his second MLS All-Star game as a Commissioner's Pick.
Enjoying a breakout year in 2006, Perkins established himself as one of the league's best goalkeepers. Starting all but two matches of the 2006 season, Perkins led all MLS keepers with wins (15) and was among the League leaders in goals-against-average (1.13) and shutouts (eight). Three of the season's longest shutout streaks belong to Perkins, as he kept opponents at bay for stretches of 338, 247 and 243 minutes throughout the year. The Ohio native received his first ever Player of the Week award in Week 13, and was selected to his first MLS All-Star game, where he helped keep a clean sheet against English powerhouse Chelsea FC.
Like Perkins, Boswell also played a key role in one of the league's best defenses this season. In only his second full season in the League, Boswell established himself as a permanent and critical member of United's backline. He started 30 games for the Black-and-Red, chipping in with a goal and an assist as well. In August, Boswell was selected to his first MLS All-Star game.
