MLS Rookie of the Year, Xbox individual and team awards announced
NEW YORK, NY – Austin Berry, Logan Pause, New England Revolution win Major League Soccer 2012 Rookie of the Year; Xbox Individual and Team Fair Play awards.
2012 Rookie of the Year: Austin Berry – Chicago Fire
A hard-nosed, blue collar defender out of the University of Louisville, Austin Berry developed into one of the top young center backs in the League. In his rookie season, Berry showcased his physical talents, skill and composure under pressure while starting 28 consecutive matches for the Men in Red, tallying three goals and contributing to the success of the Chicago Fire defense that only allowed 41 goals during the course of the 2012 campaign.
All first-year players in MLS without previous professional experience were eligible for the Rookie of the Year award, voted by media, MLS players and MLS club management based on regular season performance.The other two finalists were D.C. United forward Nick DeLeon and Vancouver Whitecaps FC forward Darren Mattocks. Below is a breakdown of the voting for the top five candidates:
2012 MLS Rookie of the Year voting results
2012 Xbox Individual Fair Play Award: Logan Pause – Chicago Fire
In his 10th season with the Chicago Fire, the University of North Carolina product started 31 games for the club this year and scored one goal with only two shots on target. In 2,424 minutes played this season, Pause committed just 11 fouls and received no red or yellow cards. The other two finalists were Chivas USA defender Ante Jazic and New York Red Bulls defender Heath Pearce.
This award is selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fouls committed, cards received, games & minutes played, as well as subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.
2012 Xbox Team Fair Play Award: New England Revolution
The New England Revolution committed the second-lowest number of fouls (360) in the league in 2012. The team’s 40 cautions were the league’s third-lowest total, while the team’s two red cards are tied for the second-lowest total in MLS. Additionally, no Revolution player served a caution accumulation suspension this year. This is the Revolution’s third time winning this award as they garnered the honors back in 2003 and 2008.
The award is selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fewest fouls committed and cards received, and subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.
Rookie of the Year Winners
2012: Austin Berry – Chicago Fire
2011: C.J. Sapong – Sporting Kansas City
2010: Andy Najar – D.C. United
2009: Omar Gonzalez – LA Galaxy
2008: Sean Franklin – LA Galaxy
2007: Maurice Edu – Toronto FC
2006: Jonathan Bornstein – Chivas USA
2005: Michael Parkhurst – New England Revolution
2004: Clint Dempsey – New England Revolution
2003: Damani Ralph – Chicago Fire
2002: Kyle Martino – Columbus Crew
2001: Rodrigo Faria – MetroStars
2000: Carlos Bocanegra – Chicago Fire
1999: Jay Heaps – Miami Fusion
1998: Ben Olsen – D.C. United
1997: Mike Duhaney – Tampa Bay Mutiny
1996: Steve Ralston – Tampa Bay Mutiny
Xbox Fair Play Award – Individual Winners:
2012: Logan Pause – Chicago Fire
2011: Sébastien Le Toux – Philadelphia Union
2010: Sébastien Le Toux – Philadelphia Union
2009: Steve Ralston – New England Revolution
2008: Michael Parkhurst – New England Revolution
2007: Michael Parkhurst – New England Revolution
2006: Chris Klein – Real Salt Lake
2005: Ronald Cerritos – San Jose Earthquakes
2004: Eddie Pope – Metro Stars
2003: Brian McBride – Columbus Crew
2002: Mark Chung – Colorado Rapids
2001: Alex Pineda Chacon – Miami Fusion
2000: Steve Ralston – Tampa Bay Mutiny
1999: Steve Ralston – Tampa Bay Mutiny
1998: Thomas Dooley – Columbus Crew
1997: Mark Chung – Kansas City Wizards
Xbox Fair Play Award -Team Winners:
2012: New England Revolution
2011: Portland Timbers
2010: San Jose Earthquakes
2009: Chicago Fire
2008: New England Revolution
2007: Columbus Crew
2006: Kansas City Wizards
2005: Kansas City Wizards
2004: Columbus Crew
2003: New England Revolution
2002: Kansas City Wizards
2001: San Jose Earthquakes
2000: Tampa Bay Mutiny
1999: Columbus Crew
1998: Kansas City Wizards
1997: Columbus Crew
