Major League Soccer announced the finalists for its 2011 year-end awards on Monday and Whitecaps FC striker Eric Hassli is a finalist for the Newcomer of the Year award, along with New York Red Bulls striker Luke Rodgers and Seattle Sounders FC midfielder Mauro Rosales.
In his first season in MLS, the native of Sarreguemines, France, scored 10 goals and added two assists in 26 MLS regular season matches for Vancouver. Hassli's eventful first season in North America is highlighted by his wonder-goal against Cascadia Cup rivals Seattle Sounders FC on June 11 - CLICK HERE to see Hassli's goal which is nominated for MLS Goal of the Year.
The winner for MLS Newcomer of the Year will be announced on November 15.
The finalists for all of the year-end awards were determined by polls of MLS players, general managers, coaches, referees and members of the media.
THE FINALISTS
Rookie of the Year Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 8
- Michael Farfan (Philadelphia Union)
- Perry Kitchen (D.C. United)
- C.J. Sapong (Sporting Kansas City)
Xbox 360 Individual Fair Play Finalists* – Winner to be announced Nov. 8
- Darrius Barnes (New England Revolution)
- Kosuke Kimura (Colorado Rapids)
- Sébastien Le Toux (Philadelphia Union)
Selected by MLS based on objective criteria such as fouls committed, cards received, games and minutes played, as well as subjective evaluation of sportsmanlike behavior.
Xbox 360 Team Fair Play Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 8
- Chivas USA
- Philadelphia Union
- Portland Timbers
*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 Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 9
- Nat Borchers (Real Salt Lake)
- Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
- Jámison Olave (Real Salt Lake)
MLS W.O.R.K.S. Humanitarian of the Year Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 9
- Zak Boggs (New England Revolution)
- Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo)
- Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes)
Referee of the Year Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 9
- Mark Geiger
- Ricardo Salazar
- Kevin Stott
Assistant Referee of the Year Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 9
- Sean Hurd
- Corey Rockwell
- Adam Wienckowski
Coach of the Year Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 14
- Bruce Arena (LA Galaxy)
- Sigi Schmid (Seattle Sounders FC)
- Peter Vermes (Sporting Kansas City)
Comeback Player of the Year Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 14
- David Beckham (LA Galaxy)
- Charlie Davies (D.C. United)
- Dominic Oduro (Chicago Fire)
Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 15
- Kevin Hartman (FC Dallas)
- Kasey Keller (Seattle Sounders FC)
- Faryd Mondragón (Philadelphia Union)
Newcomer of the Year Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 15
- Eric Hassli (Vancouver Whitecaps FC)
- Luke Rodgers (New York Red Bulls)
- Mauro Rosales (Seattle Sounders FC)
Volkswagen Most Valuable Player Finalists – Winner to be announced Nov. 18
- Brad Davis (Houston Dynamo)
- Dwayne De Rosario (D.C. United)
- Brek Shea (FC Dallas)
