The finalists for each of the four prestigious U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Awards - Male, Female, Young Male and Young Female - have been announced by the sport's governing body in the United States.
Rogers, in his second season with the Crew, experienced a breakout season in Major League Soccer in 2008, totaling six goals and three assists during the regular season campaign. Rogers also received his first All-Star selection in July when he was named to the MLS All-Star First XI, but was unable to participate due to his selection to the U.S. Men's Soccer team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. In China, Rogers made two appearances, with one start, for the U.S. side which just missed out on advancing past the competition's group stage. Rogers is expected to start at his usual spot on the left wing when the Crew takes on the New York Red Bulls in the 2008 MLS Cup this Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3:30 p.m. at the Home Depot Center.
With the announcement, voting for the high profile annual U.S. Soccer awards begins today at ussoccer.com, with fans having the opportunity to make their selections once a day through Monday, Dec. 8.
The U.S. Soccer Male and Female Athletes of the Year awards are the oldest and most prestigious awards of their kind, dating back to 1984 for the men and 1985 for the women, while the Young Male and Young Female awards were added in 1998.
The finalists for each award were nominated on the basis of: a) competing and excelling at the highest level (both at the national team and professional level) during the calendar year; b) exhibiting decorum on and off the field that reflects well on U.S. Soccer; and c) contributing toward the growth, development, credibility and popularization of soccer in the USA. A player can only win a Youth Athlete award once in his or her career (past winners).
Online votes for the annual award will be tallied and equivalent to 50 percent of the total votes. As in years past, the other 50 percent will be represented by votes compiled from members of the national media and U.S. Soccer representatives (from national team coaches to the National Board of Directors).
In addition to voting for the annual U.S. Soccer Athlete of the Year Awards, fans can also vote daily for the seventh annual series of "Best of U.S. Soccer" awards until the Dec. 8 deadline. The 2008 "Best of U.S. Soccer" awards will be decided entirely by online fan votes submitted over the next few weeks.
U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year Candidates
Shannon Boxx, Midfielder
Lori Chalupny, Defender
Angela, Hucles, Midfielder/Forward
Carli Lloyd, Midfielder
Christie Rampone Defender
Hope Solo, Goalkeeper
U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year Candidates
Carlos Bocanegra, Defender
Michael Bradley, Midfielder
Clint Dempsey, Midfielder
Landon Donovan, Midfielder/Forward
Tim Howard, Goalkeeeper
Oguchi Onyewu, Defender
U.S. Soccer Young Female Athlete of the Year Candidates
Kristie Mewis, Midfielder
Vicki DiMartino, Forward
Michelle Enyeart, Forward
Alyssa Naeher, Goalkeeper
Keelin Winters, Midfielder
Courtney Verloo, Forward
U.S. Soccer Young Male Athlete of the Year Candidates
Maurice Edu, Midfielder/Defender
Stuart Holden, Midfielder
Sacha Kljestan, Midfielder
Michael Orozco, Defender
Robbie Rogers, Midfielder
Marvell Wynne, Defender
