Goalkeeper Michael Gspurning and forward Eddie Johnson have been named finalists for MLS year-end awards.
RENTON, WASH. - Major League Soccer announced today Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper Michael Gspurning and forward Eddie Johnson as finalists for its 2012 year-end awards. Winners for each award will be announced prior to MLS Cup on December 1.
Gspurning is a finalist for the Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year award. He finished first in goals against average (0.73), first in goals allowed (15), second in wins percentage (.690), fourth in saves percentage (74.6) and fifth in shutouts (8). He also posted two of the longest shutout streaks this season at 370 minutes (7th) and 335 minutes (10th).
An offseason signing from Greek’s Super League, Gspurning is also a finalist for Newcomer of the Year. The former Austrian international became the first goalkeeper from outside the CONCACAF region to lead the league in goals against average, and his GAA ranked third all-time in MLS history.
Johnson is a finalist for Comeback Player of the Year. He set a club record with 14 goals and led MLS with nine goals from headers. He previously won the award in 2007 with Kansas City. The finalists, listed in alphabetical order below for each award, earned the most votes in polling of three voting groups:
• Current MLS players
• MLS Clubs (Coaches, Technical Directors, Presidents, and PR/Community Relations)
• Media members who covered MLS regularly in 2012
Voting was based on performance in the 2012 MLS Regular Season.
The Comeback Player of the Year award will be announced on November 27 and the Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year and Newcomer of the Year awards will be announced on November 27. Voting for the AT&T Goal of the Year and the MLS Save of the Year is conducted on the league’s official website MLSsoccer.com.
The 2012 awards announcements conclude November 29 with the unveiling of the 2012 Volkswagen MLS MVP and Commissioner's Award.
Comeback Player of the Year Finalists
Alan Gordon (San Jose Earthquakes)
Eddie Johnson (Seattle Sounders FC)
Chris Pontius (D.C. United)
Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists
Michael Gspurning (Seattle Sounders FC)
Dan Kennedy (Chivas USA)
Jimmy Nielsen (Sporting Kansas City)
Newcomer of the Year Finalists
Victor Bernardez (San Jose Earthquakes)
Michael Gspurning (Seattle Sounders FC)
Federico Higuain (Columbus Crew)
Awards Announcements Schedule:
Schedule subject to change
November 19: MLS Rookie of the Year, Xbox Fair Play Individual & Team of the Year
November 20: MLS Defender of the Year, MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year, and Referee/Assistant Referee of the Year
November 26: 2012 MLS Best XI
November 27: MLS Coach of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year
November 28: Allstate Goalkeeper of the Year and Newcomer of the Year
November 29: AT&T Goal of the Year, MLS Save of the Year and Volkswagen MLS MVP
