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Well I was a bit worried that somehow TH14 would win this award, but in the end the clear choice was actually chosen, here is the MLS Press Release about both the Newcomer of the Year and the Comeback player of the Year awards:
NEW YORK (Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2010) - Major League Soccer today announced Real Salt Lake forward Álvaro Saborío as the MLS Newcomer of the Year, and San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Bobby Convey as the MLS Comeback Player of the Year for the 2010 season.
2010 Newcomer of the Year: Álvaro Saborío, Real Salt Lake
Signing with Salt Lake during the 2010 preseason, Real Salt Lake forward Álvaro Saborío immediately made his presence known contributing 12 goals and four assists to the reigning MLS Cup champions' attack, on his way to being named the club's 2010 Budweiser Golden Boot winner. Saborío also won two Player of the Week awards (Week 8 and Week 14), and earned the title of MLS Player of the Month for May.
2010 Comeback Player of the Year: Bobby Convey, San Jose Earthquakes
After struggling with a nagging hamstring injury and the lingering effects of a 2007 microfracture surgery on his right knee during the 2009 season, Bobby Convey bounced back in a big way in 2010. He notched a team-leading 10 assists from his natural left midfield spot, tying him for fifth in the league in assists. He also recorded five game-winning assists to tie him for first in MLS in that category. His two-way play on the wing also helped San Jose to one of the best defensive records in MLS, allowing just 33 goals this season.
after the jump read the RSL press release about Alvaro Saborio winning the MLS Newcomer of the Year award:
SANDY, Utah / NEW YORK (Wednesday, November 10, 2010) - Major League Soccer today announced that Real Salt Lake FW Álvaro Saborío has been named the League's 2010 Newcomer of the Year, as voted on by his fellow players, coaches, general managers, and media. The 28-year-old Saborío beat out two New York Red Bull players - MF Joel Lindpere and FW Thierry Henry - to become the fourth player to earn the award since the League began bestowing it in 2007.
Saborío answered the question of who would pick up departed striker Yura Movsisyan's scoring slack in 2010 resoundingly, leading Real Salt Lake in scoring in both League play (12 goals - 8th on MLS Golden Boot chart) and during its maiden appearance in the CONCACAF Champions League (6 goals - T-2nd in the 2010 portion of the competition). His introduction to the Claret-and-Cobalt faithful at Rio Tinto Stadium was a dramatic one, as he came off the bench to head home the equalizing goal in the 94th minute against Seattle Sounders FC on April 10, punctuating the squad's Championship celebration evening and keeping alive what would later become the longest home unbeaten run in League history.
While Saborio's scoring total was prolific, his goals were also clutch, as the Costa Rican international tallied five match-winners and ended the regular season with a flourish, his double in stoppage time at Colorado single-handedly allowing RSL to earn a 2-2 draw and continue its team-record 14-match undefeated run in League play. While MLS competition is the focus for all awards, factoring in RSL's 2010/11 CONCACAF success brings Saborío's totals to 18 goals in 32 games - the scoring haul equal to MVP candidate and MLS Golden Boot winner Chris Wondolowski of San Jose during the MLS regular season. The Costa Rican international was thrice recognized by MLS during his first year in the League, earning two Player of the Week awards (Week 8 and Week 14) and the title of MLS Player of the Month for May.
Saborío is the first member of Real Salt Lake to capture the Newcomer of the Year honor from MLS, and the second RSL player to win a League award this season, joining Defender of the Year honoree Jamison Olave. The duo are the newest members of an elite list of players who have donned the Claret-and-Cobalt and garnered end-of-season awards from Major League Soccer, with past winners including Will Johnson (2008 Goal of the Year), Jeff Cunningham (2006 Golden Boot and Best XI Team), Chris Klein (2006 Fair Play Award), and Brian Kamler (2005 Humanitarian of the Year). Head Coach Jason Kreis can add to that growing list of award winners, as the RSL sideline boss is among the trio of candidates for the MLS Coach of the Year honor, which will be named tomorrow, Thursday November 11.
OFF MY SOAPBOX