Rapids' John Spencer Among Finalists for Three MLS Year-End Awards

2003 MLS YEAR-END awards FINALISTS (Listed Alphabetically):

2003 Pepsi Goal of the Year
Player	Pos.	Team	Note:


John Spencer 	F	Colorado Rapids	The Rapids' captain used a juggling
act of rare skill when he received a pass near the top of the box with his
back to goal in the 77th minute at The Home Depot Center on July 9. Spencer
used a classy, no-look, first-time chip to flick the ball over the shoulder
of defender Ricky Lewis before breaking free into the box and firing home. 

Joe Franchino	D	N.E. Revolution	Franchino completed the Revolution's
comeback from two-goals down against the Columbus Crew on Sept. 28 with a
set piece strike late in overtime. In the 97th minute, Franchino struck a
left-footed free kick just outside the box that beat Columbus 'keeper Jon
Busch in the top left corner of the goal for the dramatic golden goal and a
3-2 overtime victory.

Damani Ralph	F	Chicago Fire	Ralph scored a stunning and dramatic
equalizer in the 90th minute of an Aug. 13 road match against the Columbus
Crew. The University of Connecticut product collected a centering cross from
the right flank by Nate Jaqua, and with his back to goal, brought the ball
down with his right foot before quickly spinning around and firing a searing
left-footed drive under the crossbar to tie the match at 2-2.

Carlos Ruiz	F	Los Angeles Galaxy	"El Pescadito" netted one of
soccer's rare goals when he scored on a spectacular bicycle kick in a 3-1
home win against the Columbus Crew on Aug. 9 at The Home Depot Center. The
Guatemalan international forward went airborne to connect on a Cobi Jones
cross from the right side of the box, blasting a full bicycle kick past the
goalkeeper for his second goal of the game and a 2-1 lead.


John Wolyniec	F	MetroStars	Wolyniec broke a scoreless tie with
a sudden golden goal against Columbus in stoppage time of the second
overtime on Sept. 20 at Giants Stadium. Teammate Amado Guevara served a ball
off a restart from the center circle to the left side of the box. Wolyniec
followed the launch step for step and with perfect coordination he lashed
home a left-footed volley which found the opposite right corner of the goal.
 
MLS Coach of the Year
Name		Team	Note:

Bob Bradley		MetroStars	In his first year as MetroStars Head
Coach, Bob Bradley led the team's return to the MLS Cup Playoffs as he
molded an overhauled roster and helped the team advance to the Lamar Hunt
U.S. Open Cup final, the club's first ever final appearance. The all-time
winningest coach in MLS history (93 victories) and the 1998 MLS Coach of the
Year has led every MLS team he has coached to the postseason in his six-year
career.

Dave Sarachan		Chicago Fire	In Sarachan's first year as a head
coach, the Fire registered its best season in club history. Along with
registering the best record in MLS and capturing the Supporters' Shield,
Chicago also won the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup in October. After the loss of
several key players during the offseason, Sarachan incorporated new elements
into the team and led Chicago to the MLS Cup Playoffs for the sixth
consecutive season.

Frank Yallop		S.J. Earthquakes	The 2001 MLS Coach of the
Year led his team to its first regular season Western Conference crown in
2003. A string of injuries and national team call-ups forced Yallop to
continually shuffle his lineup but the club was still the first to secure a
playoff berth in 2003, continuing its perfect streak under Yallop. 

ADT Defender of the Year
Player	      Pos.  Team	Note:

Carlos Bocanegra 	  D	  Chicago Fire	The 2002 ADT Defender of the
Year continued his strong play in 2003, showcasing his speed, athleticism
and ball-winning skills to lead the Fire to the Supporters' Shield and a
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup title. Also a finalist for the U.S. National Team's
Honda Player of the Year honor, Bocanegra helped the Fire to clean sheets in
seven of his 19 starts.

Ryan Nelsen	   D	   D.C. United	The D.C. United back line, led by
Nelsen, was the club's strongest asset. The regular call-up to the New
Zealand National Team was a fixture in central defense for a squad which
conceded just 36 goals in 30 matches, the second lowest total in MLS.
Nelsen, who is recognized for his aerial abilities and keen positional
sense, was eventually handed the captain's armband midway through the season
for his strong leadership abilities.

Eddie Pope	   D	   MetroStars	Pope stepped up early in the 2003
season, becoming the undisputed leader and captain of the new-look
MetroStars. In his first year with the Metros after his offseason transfer
from D.C. United, Pope's performances in the opening stretch of matches set
the tone for his club. The eight-year veteran consistently displayed his
trademark sleek and efficient defensive style over his 20 starts in central
defense.

ACE Comeback Player of the Year
Player	Pos.	Team	Note:

John Spencer	F	Colorado Rapids	Spencer returned to form this season
after missing more than half of the 2002 season after knee surgery. During
the 2003 campaign, Spencer set a new Rapids mark by scoring a goal in six
consecutive games and his 14 goals were one shy of the League high. After
the team's rough start, Spencer's leadership was instrumental in helping
turn the season around for the Rapids.

Chris Armas	M	Chicago Fire	Armas nursed his way back from a
right ACL tear which cost him most of the 2002 season and the 2002 FIFA
World Cup. Upon his return he assumed team captain duties on a permanent
basis for the first time in his career and became the team's 2003 Honda MVP.
Armas' distribution and strong defensive skills led Chicago to its third
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup and its first Supporters' Shield.

Ben Olsen	D	D.C. United	After missing all of the 2001 season
and 20 matches in the 2002 campaign due to an ankle injury, Olsen this
season regained the form that helped him earn MLS Cup MVP honors in 1999.
Despite going down again with a left MCL sprain on Sept. 28 of this year,
Olsen finished second in scoring for United with 15 points on four goals and
seven assists. All of his tallies went for game-winners and United is an
amazing 14-0-0 all-time in games in which Olsen scores.

2003 MLS AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENT SCHEDULE

DAY	DATE		AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT

Mon.	Nov. 17		Gatorade Rookie of the Year Finalists (3);
			Official Sports Referee of the Year Finalists (3);
			MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Finalists (3)

Fri.	Nov. 21		Honda Most Valuable Player (at MLS Cup Press Conference)

Sat.	Nov. 22 	2003 MLS Gala Awards Ceremony includes winners in all categories plus:
			RadioShack Best XI, Nickelodeon GAS Play of the Year
			Commissioner's Award and MLS Executive Awards

Sun.	Nov. 23		MLS Cup 2003 MVP