Conrad, Lopez finalists for year-end awards

Two Kansas City Wizards players are finalists for Major League Soccer year-end awards, and two more are up for the Sierra Mist Goal of the Year Award. Defender and captain Jimmy Conrad is one of three finalists for the Visa Defender of the Year, while Designated Player Claudio Lopez is one of three finalists for MLS Newcomer of the Year. Conrad won Defender of the Year honors in 2005 and was also a finalist in 2006. The finalists earned the most votes in polling of MLS players, general managers, coaches, referees and members of the media. For a complete list of all year-end award finalists, visit mlsnet.com.

Davy Arnaud is nominated for Sierra Mist Goal of the Year for a 35-yard rocket against the Los Angeles Galaxy on Sept. 13. Josh Wolff is up for the same award for a bicycle kick two weeks later at Chivas USA. Midfielder Kerry Zavagnin made the top 5 in 2007 for a left-footed shot from 35 yards out, also against Chivas USA.

After a strong 2007 campaign in which Conrad was named the Wizards team Defender of the Year, the 31-year-old has followed up with an even more impressive 2008 season. Conrad serves as the team captain and has played an instrumental role in a defense that tied for the MLS lead with 10 shutouts. Throughout the 30-game regular season, Conrad pulled together a defense that saw eight different starters log time, including just one player (Jack Jewsbury) with more than three years of MLS experience. Three rookies and two second-year players started alongside Conrad on the back line.

Conrad has also been an attacking threat of historic proportions. Conrad's six goals this season rank second-best among central defenders for a single-season in MLS history. Only Lubos Kubik's 1998 season for the Chicago Fire tops Conrad, and Kubik scored four goals on penalty kicks that year. Conrad played every minute of every game for the Wizards as a central defender. Jay Heaps of New England was the only other field player who logged every minute of the season. Five of Conrad's six goals came off of headers from set-piece situations. His other goal, a stoppage-time equalizer against FC Dallas, came with his feet from close range as the entire team pressed forward looking for a draw.

Argentine striker Claudio Lopez signed during March as the Wizards first-ever Designated Player and showed immediately that he was a threat, scoring a goal in a season-opening 2-0 win over D.C. United at home. Lopez comes to the Wizards and Major League Soccer after starring in some of the most prestigious leagues around the world. Lopez previously played in his native Argentina (Racing Club), Spain (Valencia), Italy (Lazio) and Mexico (Club America) before joining Kansas City.

Lopez has been a strong influence both during games and on the training field. Teammates list his extreme professionalism and intensity in training sessions as two of his greatest contributions. His 13 total goals created (goals + assists) in MLS play ranked 1st among newcomers to the League. He is also tied for 1st among all newcomers in goals (6) and 2nd in assists (7). Lopez also registered one goal and one assist in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play. Lopez won MLS Player of the Week honors for week 30 after a one-goal, two-assist performance that helped the Wizards clinch a playoff berth. He finished in a tie for 2nd on the team in goals and in a tie for 1st in assists.

Both Arnaud and Wolff qualify for the first round of Sierra Mist Goal of the Year voting by virtue of winning the Sierra Mist Goal of the Week Award in weeks 25 and 27, respectively. Fan voting for the honor will take place in three stages before the winner is named on Nov. 19. Arnaud's shot against Los Angeles froze goalkeeper Josh Wicks on his line with a laser into the upper-right corner from 35 yards out. Wolff converted a perfectly placed bicycle kick off the right upright from close range after a deflected ball fell to him in the penalty area.

The voting breakdown follows: