Frei Up For Rookie of the Year
Goalkeeper one of three finalists for award
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Stefan Frei highlight reel against New England |
Frei had strong first season in Toronto after being picked 13th overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft from University of California, Berkeley. The 23-year-old Swiss born 'keeper produced impressive performances in preseason and was selected by the coaching staff to start the year as the team's first choice goalkeeper instead of the more experienced Greg Sutton. Frei went on to make 26 league starts in his first year as a pro.
Frei was named the Esquire Player of the Month for March/April and scooped three straight MLS Save of the Week awards, first keeping out Osvaldo Alonso in stoppage time to earn a point in Seattle and then in back-to-back games against Colorado Rapids. Frei's season was ended prematurely due to a dislocated finger and he missed the final three games of the regular season.
The three finalists earned the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches and members of the media. The Rookie of the Year winner will be announced on Thursday, November 12th.
Here is the complete list of finalists for the 2009 year-end awards:
Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Donovan Ricketts - Los Angeles Galaxy
Zach Thornton - Chivas USA
Fair Play Finalists - Individual
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Pat Onstad - Houston Dynamo
Steve Ralston - New England Revolution
Comeback Player of the Year Finalists
Brian McBride - Chicago Fire
Ben Olsen - D.C. United
Zach Thornton - Chivas USA
Visa Defender of the Year Finalists
Geoff Cameron - Houston Dynamo
Jhon Kennedy Hurtado - Seattle Sounders FC
Chad Marshall - Columbus Crew
Adidas Referee of the Year Finalists
Alex Prus
Ricardo Salazar
Kevin Stott
Rookie of the Year Finalists
Stefan Frei - Toronto FC
Omar Gonzalez - Los Angeles Galaxy
Chris Pontius - D.C. United
Coach of the Year Finalists
Bruce Arena - Los Angeles Galaxy
Sigi Schmid - Seattle Sounders FC
Robert Warzycha - Columbus Crew
Newcomer of the Year Finalists
Kasey Keller - Seattle Sounders FC
Freddie Ljungberg - Seattle Sounders FC
Fredy Montero - Seattle Sounders FC
Volkswagen MLS Most Valuable Player Finalists
Jeff Cunningham - FC Dallas
Landon Donovan - Los Angeles Galaxy
Shalrie Joseph - New England Revolution
