MLS announces 2012 award finalists

Major League Soccer has announced the finalists for its 2012 postseason awards. The finalists received the most votes from these three groups: Current MLS players, MLS clubs (coaches, technical directors, chief business officers and PR/community relations), and media members who covered MLS regularly in 2012.

Full list of nominees below:

Rookie of the Year
Austin Berry (Chicago Fire)
Nick DeLeon (D.C. United)
Darren Mattocks (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
 
Xbox Individual Fair Play*
Ante Jazic (Chivas USA)
Logan Pause (Chicago Fire)
Heath Pearce (New York Red Bulls)
 
*Selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fouls committed, cards received, games & minutes played, as well as subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.
 
Xbox Team Fair Play*
Chicago Fire
Houston Dynamo
New England Revolution
 
*Selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fewest fouls committed, cards received, and on subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.
 
Defender of the Year
Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes)
Matt Besler (Sporting Kansas City)
Aurelien Collin (Sporting Kansas City)
 
MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year
Kei Kamara (Sporting Kansas City)
Michael Lahoud (Philadelphia Union)
Chris Seitz (FC Dallas)
 
Referee of the Year
Silviu Petrescu
Baldomero Toledo
Armando Villarreal
 
Assistant Referee of the Year
Ian Anderson
Gregory Barkey
Corey Parker
 
Coach of the Year
Ben Olsen (D.C. United)
Peter Vermes (Sporting Kansas City)
Frank Yallop (San Jose Earthquakes)
                       
Comeback Player of the Year
Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes)
Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)
Chris Pontius (D.C. United)
 
Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year
Michael Gspurning (Seattle Sounders FC)
Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA)
Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City)
 
Newcomer of the Year
Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes)
Michael Gspurning (Seattle Sounders FC)
Federico Higuain (Columbus Crew)
 
Volkswagen Most Valuable Player
Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Graham Zusi (Sporting Kansas City)


Awards Announcements Schedule:
Schedule subject to change
 
Nov. 19: MLS Rookie of the Year, Xbox Fair Play Individual & Team of the Year
Nov. 20: MLS Defender of the Year, MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year, and Referee/Assistant Referee of the Year
Nov. 26: 2012 MLS Best XI
Nov. 27: MLS Coach of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year
Nov. 28: Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year and Newcomer of the Year
Nov. 29: AT&T Goal of the Year, MLS Save of the Year and Volkswagen MLS MVP


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