Colorado Rapids forward Andre Shinyashiki wins 2019 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year

Tom Bogert

Colorado Rapids forward Andre Shinyashiki has been named 2019 AT&T MLS Rookie of the Year, the league announced Tuesday.

Selected No. 5 in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by the Rapids, Shinyashiki had seven goals and three assists across 31 appearances (18 starts) in his rookie campaign. He got his first goal in his MLS debut, scoring a late equalizer in the snow during stoppage time of the Rapids' 3-3 draw with the Portland Timbers. Shinyashiki established himself as an impact player for Colorado as the club compiled an unbeaten 6-0-3 record in regular season matches where he recorded either a goal or an assist.

Shinyashiki's presence with the club grew as the season wore on, starting 17 of the club's final 21 matches. He was named MLS Player of the Week for Week 27 after scoring a brace in his side's 2-0 win over the Seattle Sounders.

The 22-year-old Brazilian played four seasons at the University of Denver, exploding for 28 goals in his senior season. He was a finalist for the Hermann Trophy and won the Senior CLASS Award, recognizing his excellence on the field and in the classroom. He also featured for the Rapids U-23 side in PDL play during his time in Denver.

Shinyashiki is the second player in club history to win the award, after Dillon Powers won it in 2013, finishing ahead of Philadelphia Union midfielder Brenden Aaronson and Minnesota United's Hassani Dotson.

The AT&T Rookie of the Year was voted on by MLS club technical staff, media and current MLS players. Below is a breakdown of the voting results:

Voting Results

Nominee	Player Vote	Club Vote	Media Vote	Avg
Andre Shinyashiki (COL)	32.41%	31.31%	34.01%	32.58%
Brenden Aaronson (PHI)	15.52%	32.32%	25.51%	24.45%
Hassani Dotson (MIN)	14.48%	14.14%	16.60%	15.07%
Frankie Amaya (CIN)	5.86%	3.03%	4.05%	3.98%
Chase Gasper (MIN)	5.52%	3.03%	2.83%	3.79%