De Ro, Frei, Attakora Get Fans' Awards
Trio honoured at 90th Minute Party Thursday night
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Stefan Frei picked up a pair of awards this week. |
Dwayne De Rosario won the Daily KENO Goal of the Year to add to MVP and the Golden Boot. Nana Attakora was named Unsung Hero and Stefan Frei topped the voting for Rookie of the Year.
Daily Keno Goal of the Year - Dwayne De Rosario
There were five goals on the shortlist for the 2009 Daily KENO Goal of the Year. Jim Brennan's cool finish at Kansas City Wizards in the season opener on March 21st, Dwayne De Rosario's run and finish at D.C. United on May 9th. Chad Barrett's turn and volley at home to Montreal on May 13th, Amado Guevara's free kick at Montreal on June 19th and O'Brian White's chip over the 'keeper at home to Colorado on September 12th. De Rosario's dazzling run and finish in the final minutes of the 3-3 tie at D.C. United topped the online vote.
Unsung hero - Nana Attakora
Nana Attakora was honoured after stepping up from his role as a squad player to become an integral part of the first team. He twice won the Esquire Player of the Month award and finished the season with 2 goals, but it was at the back where he found himself most at home, producing commanding performances either in the centre of defence or at right back.
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Rising star Nana Attakora among Award Winners. |
Rookie of the Year - Stefan Frei
Selected in the 1st round, 13th overall in the 2009 MLS SuperDraft, Stefan Frei quickly became the team's number one goalkeeper after a fantastic pre-season. He started the team's first game in Kansas City and didn't look back. The Swiss shot-stopper posted a Goals Against Average of 1.49 making 98 saves, good enough for fourth on the MLS list. He was one of three finalists for the league's Rookie of the Year award and won the team's Defender of the Year Award as well as being voted Rookie of the Year by supporters.
