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Major League Soccer announced the finalists for their yearly awards and Real Salt Lake players and their coach are present on the lists.
Goal Keeper of the Year-Nov 3
* Kevin Hartman (FC Dallas)
* Donovan Ricketts (LA Galaxy)
* Nick Rimando (Real Salt Lake)
The only players in this group that should get the award should be Nick Rimando or Kevin Hartman. They both posted the best goal's per game ratio of the three with Hartman posting a .64 and Rimando posting .67 Ricketts would only get this if MLS wants LA to have some prestige. Hartman hasn't played in 6 matches, Rimando lead all with 14 shutouts.
Visa Defender of the Year-Nov 5
* Nat Borchers (Real Salt Lake)
* Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy)
* Jamison Olave (Real Salt Lake)
Out of this group Jamison Olave showed to be the most dominate defender in the league. His size and "I don't care about you" attitude proved him to be truly dominate this year. I wouldn't mind seeing Borchers receive this just for the sake of what he's done since he's arrived in Salt Lake. Omar Gonzalez will get this another year he's young but, he put together a very good season.
Coach of the Year-Nov 11
* Hans Backe (New York Red Bulls)
* Schellas Hyndman (FC Dallas)
* Jason Kreis (Real Salt Lake)
So who would you take for this? Jason Kreis had the best season for a team from start to finish set 3 MLS records and he never got this award last year cause the playoffs were still going on. So he should get it for the Playoffs last year, this years results and the CONCACAF Champions league results (First MLS team to win their group). However just to keep the fire under his feet give it to Schellas Hyndman for turning around the Dallas franchise after moving from Southern Methodist University to MLS. Hans Backe also had an impressive year turning the worst team in the league the Red Bull's, into the best in the East, didn't hurt to have 3 Designated players. These choices in my mind are the best group of choices and if this was the NBA Backe would get it.
New Comer of the Year-Nov 10
* Thierry Henry (New York Red Bulls)
* Joel Lindpere (New York Red Bulls)
* Alvaro Saborio (Real Salt Lake)
This one's not even close it is Alvaro Saborio and if it isn't I hate the League. Thierry Henry has only been a name need we say more. Joel Lindpere is a good choice and I'm glad to see a player from the Baltics come over to the American. Those players get lost in the Europe leagues and they can have a greater impact here, depending on the player. But Saborio has been an eye opener and a testament of how RSL runs their team. They looked for a good player one that was not happy with his situation and got him to come over here. He loves it here and 12 goals on the season plus Champions League goals and this man truly was a surprise to the rest of the the league, maybe not ReAL. Colorado thinks he's pretty good.
Best IX will be given on November 15 and I expect all of the RSL players listed to be on it.
The other awards: Players of the year, Come back player and Rookie of the year ... the rest no one cares about. POY- Edson Buddle, CBPY-Bobby Convey and Rookie- Andy Najar
